Plan A Plan B: Clichés overshadow supporting cast’s charm

The first shot of Plan A Plan B lingers on Nirali Vora (Tamannaah Bhatia), a matchmaker with a smile too bright for her cramped new office, as she peers through the glass wall at Kaustubh “Kosty” Chougule (Riteish Deshmukh), a divorce lawyer whose scowl could curdle milk. This is the film’s central image: two people forced into proximity by a shared workspace, one peddling love, the other dismantling it. Directed by Shashanka Ghosh and written by Rajat Arora, this 2022 Netflix rom-com aims to be a lighthearted battle of ideologies, but it stumbles under the weight of its own clichés.

The premise is straightforward enough: Nirali inherits her mother’s matchmaking business and moves into an office space she’s already paid for—a year in advance. The catch? Her new neighbor is Kosty, a cynical divorce attorney who represents everything she claims to oppose. Their initial interactions are predictable: she’s sunny and optimistic; he’s grumpy and dismissive. The film leans hard into this opposition, hoping the audience will buy into the “opposites attract” trope without much nuance.

Where Plan A Plan B occasionally finds its footing is in its supporting cast. Kusha Kapila, as Seema, brings a playful energy to her role, stealing scenes with her sharp wit and effortless charm. Neetha Mohindra, playing the delightfully named Pussy Aunty, adds another layer of humor, though her character sometimes feels like she’s been plucked from a different movie entirely. These performances are the film’s bright spots, offering moments of genuine amusement in an otherwise lackluster script.

The soundtrack, composed by Bann Chakraborty and Yug Bhusal, also elevates the material. Tracks like “Talli” and “Keh Do Ke” inject a much-needed liveliness into the proceedings, though they can’t entirely mask the film’s structural shortcomings. The narrative meanders without clear direction, as noted by critics like Saibal Chatterji of NDTV, who described it as “flimsy” and lacking a roadmap. Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express echoed this sentiment, pointing out that the film turns “tepid and flat” once the attraction arc begins.

The core romance between Riteish Deshmukh and Tamannaah Bhatia never fully convinces. Their chemistry is stunted by clichéd dialogue and a script that prioritizes quirky set pieces over genuine emotional depth. The film’s attempts at humor often fall flat, relying on tired tropes like miscommunication and forced proximity rather than witty banter or fresh perspectives. Deshmukh, usually a reliable comedic actor, feels out of his element here, while Bhatia struggles to make Nirali’s earnestness feel anything other than saccharine.

Ghosh’s direction is unremarkable, with static shots and uninspired framing that fail to add any cinematic flair. The cinematography does little to enhance the story or the performances, settling for a safe, by-the-numbers approach. Even the film’s attempted visual gags—like the awkwardly placed glass wall between the offices—feel lazy rather than clever.

Thematically, Plan A Plan B swings for a commentary on modern relationships but never lands. It touches on the tension between tradition and independence, but these ideas are explored superficially at best. The film’s attempt to balance romance and comedy results in a muddled tone that alienates both genres’ core audiences.

Comparisons to other rom-coms are inevitable, and Plan A Plan B fares poorly in this company. It lacks the wit of When Harry Met Sally, the charm of Crazy, Stupid, Love, or even the quirky appeal of Hitch. Instead, it feels like a collection of well-worn tropes stitched together without much care.

So who is this film for? Die-hard rom-com fans might find some enjoyment in its supporting performances and occasional humorous moments, but even they will struggle to overlook its many flaws. For everyone else, Plan A Plan B offers little that’s fresh or engaging.

In the end, Plan A Plan B is a forgettable rom-com that checks all the genre’s tired boxes without adding anything new.