Atrangi Re

"Atrangi Re" (2021) is a Hindi romantic drama film directed by Aanand L. Rai. It has Dhanush, Sara Ali Khan, and Akshay Kumar as the cast and takes place in Bihar, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. The movie weaves romance, trauma, fantasy, and healing into a tragic story with multiple twists.

The story of "Rinku" (Sara Ali Khan), a hot Bihari heroine who continues making attempts to run away to be reunited with her mystery boyfriend, "Sajjad" (Akshay Kumar), a magician. After one such attempt, her stern granny arranges to get her hitched in secret to Dr. "Vishu" (Dhanush), a subdued Tamilian lad who is taken away from the railway station by kidnappers. Vishu is already betrothed to some other woman, and both Vishu and Rinku mutually decide to part ways after reaching Delhi. But during their interactions with each other, Vishu somehow starts falling in love with Rinku.

Rinku relates her painful history, telling of her parents being murdered and that she lived in a shadow of darkness and oppression. Sajjad, the magician she purports to love, is imaginary, being visible only in Rinku's fantasies and daydreams. Vishu becomes implicated, suspended between reason and emotion, especially as Rinku's behavior becomes more and more unstable.

It is slowly revealed that Sajjad is not real. He is the fantasy of Rinku, a fantasized figure of her father, who was brutally murdered when she was a child. Her trauma occurs in the way of a shattered world where Sajjad exists as her refuge and solace. Rinku is confronted with reality by Vishu and his friends.

"Atrangi Re" is memorable for its unorthodox way of portraying love and healing. With enchanting narration, a brilliant soundtrack, and decent performances, most notably by Dhanush, the movie delves into how love can shatter and mend. It is not a love triangle; it is one of discovery, acceptance, and finding the right love through scars of the heart.