Arranged Review: Rithvik & Tridha shine in this thought-provoking drama

STORY: A simple story of Richa (Tridha Choudhury) and Tarun (Rithvik Dhanjani), who meets in the arranged marriage setup to see if they are compatible.

REVIEW: Helmed by Ritesh Menon, this short film begins with a modest setting of an arranged marriage and gains momentum when Richa meets Tarun for the first time. During their in-depth conversations, they both learn new facts about each other that appear out of the ordinary. Whether it's their profession or other life choices, the young potential couple notices a few oddities as well as some commonalities. Is it possible that they'll get along?

At first glance, the narrative appears to be a light-hearted drama about a young couple on the lookout for compatible mates suggested by their parents. However, when the cards are revealed a few moments later, the writer (Sharanya Rajgopal) has beautifully woven the powerful message that “society is full of cliches, and many believe adoption is their last resort, whereas the planet is overburdened, and one should go for adoption.” The film touches on the issue, but the story doesn’t delve deeper into it.

Both, Tridha’s Richa and Rithvik’s Tarun are the most appealing and well-written characters of the film. Onscreen, they get along well, and their genuine and sincere performances contribute to the story's relatability. The dialogues and situations are simple, as one might expect from a family in such circumstances. Neelu Kohli, Raju Kher, Praveena Deshpande and Ravi Khemu played their parts well as Richa and Tarun's parents.

‘Arranged’ is a decent watch because of its thought-provoking story that will resonate with most of the viewers.