Tu Hai Mera Sunday

Here's to the game of life!

Story: A group of five friends, who are ardent football fans, find themselves struggling to keep their lives together after the local welfare club bans them from playing at Juhu beach (their favourite football adda).

Review: Set in Mumbai, all the five central characters in the film — Arjun (Barun Sobti), Jayesh (Jay Upadhay), Rashid (Avinash Tiwari), Mehrosh (Nakul Bhalla) and Domi (Vishal Malhotra) — who are thick as thieves and share a common passion for football, seek solace in the sport to escape the trials and tribulations of life. Their world of adventure comes crumbling down when a trivial incident triggers the local welfare body to ban them from playing at their regular venue. The absence of space to play the game, which is used as a metaphor to showcase the escapist attitude of big-city dwellers, is the catalyst that conjures up a storm in the domestic lives of these friends.

'Tu Hai Mera Sunday' strikes an emotional chord right from the word go because of its relatable content. What adds to its charm is the element of humour, which remains the highlight of the film with a few dramatic scenes thrown in-between.

While this slice-of-life film witnesses some of the most natural performances, it is the meltdown scenes that appear to be a tad far-fetched. Director Milind Dhaimade, could have easily underplayed the drama there.

Television heartthrob Barun Sobti's performance as the former-corporate-slave-seeking-happiness is pure delight. Avinash Tiwari, casanova of the gang, and Nakul Bhalla, as the frustrated accountant, have played their parts to the T. Shahana Goswami reminds us of her 'Rock On' character — a fiercely independent yet family-oriented girl. Rasika Duggal and Maanvi Gagroo exude charm with their effortless acting. Jay Upadhay and Vishal Malhotra, caught in an uncomfortable family life, are hilarious and evoke pity from time to time. The music of the film may not be it's strongest asset but the fact that the essence of Mumbai life has been captured well, makes up for the loss.

For anyone who feels burdened and bogged down by life, this light-hearted tale of uncertainty and survival is a definite watch. Like they say, laugh it out!