Jai arrives at her doorstep wearing a scarf and nothing much else. He tells her she must stop looking for sympathy and do something about her love for music; to which she asks in her usual helpless drone, par kaise. Maya compares her life to the dull and run-down opposite apartment that turns yellow and sunflowery in her imagination. Apart from flirting with her imaginary Adonis, Maya flirts with the idea of getting herself a singing career. Her neighbours next door, a young talented bunch, are forming a band and want a lead singer to participate in a competition. She tries her luck with them, despite the expected sniggers of an “aunty-type” asking for the coveted lead singer position.

Maya wins the competition naturally, but not without some struggle, and learning the “ways of the real world” and oh yes, a makeover too. The makeover does a good job of changing her from drab salwars and nighties to knee length summery dresses and a bad job with her curled-at-tips hair and dotting her forehead with red bindis. While she’s working at realizing her dreams, Vikram leaves home for another woman. Maya shrieks and begs him not to leave; she even says I love you despite him suspecting her constantly and his contribution in restricting her vibrant personality to a pigeonhole.

The cast does very well. Raima Sen is believable and charming. Randeep Hooda takes up a tricky role and performs it with earnestness. His appeal with a hint of mischief is fun; despite the rather bizarre garbs – like the one where he is dressed like James Bond, a cowboy, or where he is bare-chested with a flute etc. Eka Singh who plays Maya’s daughter is delightfully sweet and authentic. Of Maya’s rock band buddies, VJ Juhi Pandey and Neil Bhoopalam leave an impression.

Dialogue is interesting but repetitive; and words like swadisht (delicious) etc, are passé in urban conversations. The make-up and styling is fine in the first half, but the makeover is disappointing. Songs are too dull for a film set against the backdrop of the protagonist’s musical ambition.

Debut director Madhureeta Anand makes a film based on an interesting and well-intentioned subject. The film has its heart in the right place, as it speaks out for people stuck in restrictive marriages who lose their own identity along the way. Sadly, this topic, so identifiable in our country, has been masked in a format that doesn’t elicit much emotion for the character’s journey. Your attention is more diverted towards Jai’s newest avatar inviting titters, rather than concentrating on what he’s saying to Maya.

The story is an interesting one, but the storytelling isn’t as immersing.

Verdict: 11/2 stars