Manokamna (Nushrratt Bharuucha) has done a double MA and wants to land a well-paying job before getting married. Chance leads her to a condom manufacturer (Brijendra Kala), who sells the Little Umbrella brand of condoms. She’s hesitant at first of being a saleswoman for a condom company but later relents and her innovative ideas turn the fortune of the company around. She’s joined at this endeavour by her childhood friend (Paritosh Tripathi), who secretly loves her. Along the way, she befriends Manoranjan (Anud Singh Dhaka), a theatre artiste specialising in small time mythological dramas. She rapidly falls in love and marries him. Along with him, she also inherits a super conservative father-in-law (Vijay Raaz), an eccentric grandfather-in-law (Tinnu Anand), and a bevy of sister-in-laws. She gives up the job as her father-in-law is against it and starts selling Tupperware instead. Circumstances lead her to go back to her earlier job. She decides to be vocal about the safety aspects of condom usage and soon becomes a national figure because of the media. How she wins back the love of her in-laws forms the crux of the film.
Condoms have mostly been marketed as tools for enhancing pleasure. This film points out that their primary purpose is of ensuring a safe sexual conduct and that of family planning. It brings to our notice that so many unwanted abortions, which lead to health issues and even death among women, can be avoided by the timely use of condoms. Also, men usually don’t like using condoms and hence women demand it as a right for their own safety.
The first half is light and breezy. We’re introduced to our characters in a manner which reflects everyday middle-class life. From the onset, we can see that there’s something different about Manokamna. The way she fakes being pregnant to get seats in buses or her liking for wheat beer. Brijendra Kala’s rant on the influx of sex clinic ads make you smile. The dialogue is the king of the film. Witty and to the point, it sounds like real conversations between actual people and underlines the fears and desires of the middle class. The idea of a girl marketing condoms brings about its own set of complications and they do bring in laughter without resorting to cheap humour. Later, the family complications feel relatable as well. The film is said to be shot in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, and the well-captured local milieu adds to its flavour. The film is edited well and doesn’t lag in pace. The only point where it falters is when it goes extra preachy. The point of condoms being a safety valve for women is reiterated again and again. Nushrratt even breaks the fourth wall towards the end, which was uncalled for.
Nushrratt Bharuccha carries the film on her shoulders and doesn’t put a step wrong. She looks totally committed to the cause of sexual safety and her zeal shines across. She’s been seen as someone who excels in negative characters, and has shown here that she can play a character bursting with positivity as well. Vijay Raaz as the patriarchal father-in-law is dependable as always and so is Brijendra Kala as the kindhearted employer. Anud Singh Dhaka is a natural in front of the camera and doesn’t just play the good husband but has shades of grey as well. Paritosh Tripathi, who makes you smile playing the man having the hugest crush on his childhood friend.
Watch the film for its witty take on middle class life, the engaging acting by the ensemble cast and it’s message of having safe sex always.