#ParuParvathy Movie Review : Paru Parvathy review: A road less travelled, but a long one

Plot: A woman in her early 60s and a girl in her late 20s travel by road from Bengaluru to Uttarakhand, thus bonding for life.

Review: They say it’s always the journey that matters more than the destination. And this applies not just to travel, but to life in general. Paru Parvathy is cut from the same cloth, as it explores the journey of two women, and how stepping out of the comfort zone can bring out the real you, thus rewarding one with life-altering happenings.

Payal (Deepika Das) is a solo traveler and a vlogger. She finds solace in mountains and adventures, away from the hustle and bustle of life. Parvathy (Poonam Sirnaik) is a 62-year-old woman who is often ignored by her children. Her husband is away in the army, and they haven’t spoken to each other in years. On the occasion of their 50th anniversary, Parvathy decides to travel to Uttarakhand, where her husband is currently posted, to ask him questions that have haunted her for years. She seeks Payal’s help and the duo gets on the road, and thus begins the journey.

The first half of the film tests your patience, but just like the scenic vistas making up for the irregular roads during a trip, the film has its moments in the second half. A cheerful Fawaz Ashraf’s entry in the second half brings in the much-needed zeal to the film. The film has its share of drawbacks, including not establishing the relationship of the two primary characters, which makes it hard for the audience to relate to their bonding. There are a couple of inconsistencies too.

Poonam Sirnaik has given it all for the role, but because of lip-sync issues, the emotions don’t translate. Actor Sudharani (who has dubbed for Poonam) deserves a special mention for adding life to the character. She really has given her best, but that still isn’t enough. Deepika Das as Payal, a woman who is trying to mask her past pain, is stoic. She delivers what is expected out of her, and gives her best in action sequences. Her costumes deserve a special mention. Fawaz as Midhun, a Malayali-Kannadiga steals the show with his energy. He brings in the much-needed spark to the dull scenes. He has lived vicariously through the character.

Director-writer Rohit Keerti tries to tell one too many stories throughout the journey. The film is 2 hours 40 minutes long; a little more work at the edit table would have changed the tone of the film. The dialogues, too, which aim to be philosophical, aren’t impactful. Cinematographer Abin Rajesh beautifully captures the road as well as the journey, adding drone shots wherever needed. R Hari’s music is unique; Radhe song, shot in Mathura, amid Holi colours, stands out.

Paru is not just another travel film that explores scenic locations, but is about the journey of two characters and how they help each other understand one another’s essence of personal growth. Paru tries to bite more than it can possibly chew when it comes to the message it tries to push home, but that doesn’t take away the warmth of the feel-good story.