Susheela Sujeet Movie Review : Promises a good hand, delivers a bluff

When the trailer of Susheela-Sujeet came out, it generated interest. It was a well-cut trailer that promised an ace up the sleeve when the film released. Turns out, that was a bluff.

The premise of the film is simple – two strangers get stuck in a room and try everything to get out but can’t. An unusual, one-day friendship blossoms. Swapnil Joshi and Sonali Kulkarni play the leads in this Prasad Oak directorial that almost entirely unfolds in a closed room. Interesting, right? Films like Panic Room and Trapped have tapped into the thriller and dramatic aspect but with Susheela-Sujeet the makers had the chance to unpack a comedy angle. It is something they aim at, but the film doesn’t really go beyond its one-liner.

Susheela-Sujeet starts off on a promising note. The opening credits, coupled with a catchy song and interspersed with the situation that Susheela (Sonali Kulkarni) and Sujeet (Swapnil Joshi) find themselves are noteworthy. The film has its moments that make you laugh, thanks to Sunil Tawde, and the cameos by Prasad Oak and Renuka Daftardar. Sonali and Swapnil are committed to the characters. But somehow, it’s not enough despite even a short running time. Eventually, the lead pair’s failed attempts, Susheela’s husband’s wildly imaginative ideas about his wife’s fidelity, and the likes, become repetitive. Throughout the 90-odd minutes, Susheela-Sujeet tries to be a lot – a comedy, an agony aunt, a messenger of the importance of communication in relationships etc. However, it jumps from one thing to another so frequently that the viewer doesn’t get a grasp of anything.

After the premise of Susheela and Sujeet being locked in a room is established, the film suffers from a bad case of hum tum ek kamre mein band ho... aur story kho jaaye. Ultimately, Susheela-Sujeet remains just a decent attempt at doing something different in Marathi cinema.