‘In The Mood For Marriage’ series review: The chaos and charm of finding a partner

Writing in cinema is about sharp observations. The Kannada web series, In The Mood For Marriage is a collection of relatable instances revolving around two individuals who navigate the rollercoaster of arranged marriage.

Director-writer Kaushik HA sets up the premise with small yet funny moments that emerge as two strangers meet as part of the matchmaking process. The conversations are awkwardly amusing, whether it’s the girl asking if the boy drinks, the boy promising the girl that they can live separately from their parents, or the real challenge of dealing with the nosy relatives of both sides.

While traditional arranged-marriage meetings happen inside the house, meetings between prospective bride and groom, especially in cafes, lead to more socially clumsy moments. My favourite is when the female protagonist, Mirnalini (Hitha Chandrashekar), gets a teddy bear from the guy, who is convinced it will impress her, only to be met with a shocked reaction.

Apart from this tongue-in-cheek, gentle humour, In The Mood For Marriage is further enhanced by two interesting lead characters, who feel like they have been plucked straight from real life. Srinivas (Shrunga BV) has resigned himself to his routine as an IT employee who doesn’t aspire to anything more. On the other hand, Mrinalini wants to get away from work as soon as her shift ends, for she loves pursuing her interests, like cooking and reading. The two are also polar-opposite in their approach to marriage.

The leads bring out these characters alive with charming performances. Shrunga and Hitha strike an organic chemistry, further enhanced by Kaushik’s dialogues, allowing the conversations to flow smoothly.

In The Mood For Marriage is also an ode to Bengaluru. All of us true-blue Bengalureans want to be like Miranlini, who enjoys simple-yet-fulfilling activities like going on Bengaluru Walks that help you explore the various facets of the city. However, most of us are like Srinivas, tired of the city’s traffic and unending potholes. It’s as if the characters reflect the two sides of every Bengalurean, who is split between the city’s charm and chaos.

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The series is one episode too long. I would have loved to see the reinvention of the two central characters, who take big decisions and embark on new lives. The ending, while feel-good, comes across as half-hearted. However, Vyshak Bhargav’s music keeps us invested in the series despite some uneven stretches.

The OTT space seems reluctant to open its doors to Kannada web series for various reasons. However, it’s heartening to see spirited indie creators strive for quality and make a mark on available platforms.

In The Mood For Marriage is streaming on Danka YouTube Channel