Cast

Manav Kaul as Prajapati Shankar Dwivedi “PD”

The affable, sweet man from Ujjain who comes to Delhi for job

Genelia Deshmukh as Anamaya “Ana” Roy Choudhary

Zidane Braz as Romi

Ana’s son, misses his father, and the sweetest character I’ve seen in 2023.

Gajraj Rao as Srivastav

Runs PPA, PD’s phupha

Shakti Kapoor as Timmy Sharma aka Mamaji

Ana’s neighbour, a shopaholic. He watches telemarketing channel constantly and keeps ordering stuff. I know someone who does that, and she’s not prohehe

Sheeba Chadha as B

Timmmy Sharma’s wife aka Mamiji

Gogi

Romi’s friend

Swaroopa Ghosh as Ana’s mother

 

Barun Chanda as Ana’s father

Gagan Ahuja as Lucas

Ana’s friend’s boyfriend

Ajay Jadhav

The sar-chadha peon in Parivartan Placement Agency

Raynu Verma

The school principal

Somansh Singh Dangwal as Shakey

One of the bullies at school

Manju Sharma as Mrs Kapoor

Shakey’s mother

Padam Mishra

Gogi’s father

Recap

The movie opens with a young boy Romi sitting on the pot and asking a million questions to his mother and then sitting in the bucket taking a bath. While he is getting ready, the loving mother notices a stain on the uniform shirt… Romi is lucky–he has a loving mother Anna, adoring neighbours and a friend Gogi but that’s where the goodness ends. We see a ruthless scene at the school as he is bullied by three kids and the teacher does nothing, absolutely nothing.

Which brings me to my question#1: What exactly do these expensive schools offer?

The pain doesn’t end here. In his class, Rumi is put on the spot as he is asked to speak on his father. He’s clueless despite his friend Gogi’s prompts… After school, Rumi doesn’t eat lunch that day and asks about his father. He’s met with painful silence in the room.

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Then, we meet Prajapati (PD for short) who has come from Ujjain to Delhi and fights with chai wala for exorbitant tea price, 3 rupees change. He meets his phupha Mr Shrivastav at PPA (Parivartan Placement agency). There is no vacancy right now, so PD has to stay at agency’s office

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Rumi is bullied again. That day, he comes home and suggests asking a new papa on trial period. His suggestion is discarded just like that. Later, Anna’s parents call, mother suggests a divorcee proposal, she doesn’t even share her plight because she’s a strong independent woman and doesn’t want to settle. She’s happy with her kid.

Anna discussed with her colleage Erwin (boyfriend Lucas)who suggests bringing a bad father on a trial period. Went out on a date with Puneet obnoxious man.

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PD is still jobless. Shrivastav suggests changing subject and direction so PD could find a job. We see a nice and long montage as Saiyan song plays in the background, both Anna and PD are struggling with their problems, finding a job and finding a papa for her kid, respectively.

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Tammi Mama takes Anna to Shrivastav. Long story short, PD takes his job as temporary papa. After an awkward beginning, we hear the first gem as he says:

PD: Talk time is missing in the time table.

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Anna calls him bewakoof and so does Rumi. PD is hurt. Rumi suggests that PD should change himself.

PD doesn’t change, but then he does win Rumi’s heart. Over time, even Anna starts to trust PD. PD, on the other hand, starts to fall for Anna. Soon comes Diwali, incidentally PD’s last day as trial papa. Shrivastav has arraged for another job as  associate professor at DU. PD emotionally hugs his phuphaji, who just knows that PD is in love. For Diwali celebration, Anna sings a Bengali song, very catchy.

Later that night, Anna and PD share a profound conversation. PD confesses his feelings for Anna.

Anna: Hum dost hain PD.

PD: Mujhe lagta hai main chinti hoon aur tum gud.

Anna: I don’t like girlfriend wife kinda relationship

PD: Do you like me?

Silence…

PD leaves the next morning. Anna comes to PD’s room and breaks down when she finds it empty.

Anna: I’m a fool.

Tammi consoles her while she weeps uncontrollably.

Anna: Why didn’t he wait for a reply to his proposal? Why should I trust him?

Genelia, tussi chha gaye. Such controlled expression of heartache.

As the finale of the story, we see the kids including Romi performing at the Annual Day. The performance is about “papa”, talk about coming full circle. Romi keeps looking for PD in the audience, and his eyes lit up when PD enters the auditorium.

The movie ends with a picturesque view of the city Delhi.

Review

In the bustling world of Bollywood, where romantic comedies often dominate the screens, “Trial Period” emerges as a delightful addition to the genre. This film not only offers a refreshing take on love but also showcases some remarkable performances by its lead actors.

The “Saiyan” song in the movie is undeniably catchy, leaving the audience tapping their feet and humming along. It’s a testament to the film’s ability to blend music seamlessly into its narrative, enhancing the overall experience.

Now, let’s talk fashion. Genelia’s wardrobe in “Trial Period” is simply wow-worthy. As a blogger with a keen eye for style, I couldn’t help but envy her impeccable fashion sense. Her sweaters are not just pieces of clothing; they’re style statements that leave you yearning to raid her wardrobe.

Performances

First and foremost, let’s talk about the kid Zidane Braz’s portrayal in the movie as Romi. His expressive acting is nothing short of a revelation. As an avid blogger who appreciates the nuances of cinematic performances, I couldn’t help but be captivated by his ability to convey emotions with such authenticity. Zidane Braz truly shines in “Trial Period,” making it evident that she’s a talent to watch out for in the future.

Now, let’s shift our focus to the ever-charming Genelia. Her journey from the iconic “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na” to “Trial Period” is a testament to her versatility as an actress. Genelia’s transformation in this film is nothing short of astonishing. What makes her performance even more endearing is her attention to detail, like the way she corrected the pronunciation of “rasgulla.” It’s these subtle touches that make her character relatable and lovable.

Finally, the chemistry between the hero and the kid is the heart and soul of “Trial Period.” The hero effortlessly exudes charm, and when paired with Rumi Kid, their on-screen connection is nothing short of electric. It’s moments like these that make you believe in the magic of love, and credit must be given to the actors for bringing this enchanting chemistry to life.

In conclusion, “Trial Period” is a Bollywood romantic comedy that deserves a special place in your watchlist. The performances of Rumi Kid and Genelia, the catchy music, and the sizzling on-screen chemistry make it an absolute treat for fans of the genre. So, if you’re in the mood for a heartwarming and entertaining film that will leave you with a smile on your face, “Trial Period” should be your next cinematic adventure.

Some Rant