Conditions Apply: Ati Lagu

Opposites attract, or so they say. This is the mantra that we, as viewers, have seen in umpteen love stories. And there is no dearth of clichéd romances in the Marathi industry either. However, Conditions Apply is a bit different. It keeps the basic attraction formula intact but takes the road less travelled, when it comes to execution.

Depite being poles apart, there’s at least one thing common among any two people in love. For Abhay (Bhave) and Swara (Devi), it’s loneliness that unites them. Abhay, a manager at a car franchise, prefers living a lonely and unhappy life until he meets Swara, a bubbly RJ. The first meeting ends up badly for both but certain situations get them to meet again and this time, they hit it off. Friendship blossoms and turns into love soon. However, both are against marrying and decide to live-in. Things aren’t as sweet and simple though.

It is a refreshing breakaway from the typical ‘girl meets boy’ and ‘love at first sight’ stories. Director Girish Mohite has managed to keep that aspect intact for most of the film. The courtship, quarrels, role of friends and experience etc is explained quite well here. Plus, Bhave and Devi’s chemistry is crackling. Both the actors are at ease in front of the camera and their efforts pay off. Parchure goes overboard as Abhay’s friend but the other supporting actors are spot on.

Conditions Apply teaches us that it is alright to live life on your terms and make mistakes, because otherwise, you won’t learn the meaning of life. But the film falters by making the climax too clichéd; it could’ve been kept open for individual interpretation instead of being spoon-fed. Despite that, it is a good watch.