When Hari Got Married

If you're fascinated by the idea of a rustic life, romance and marriage or simply tired of chasing your dreams, watch this film and you will find peace.

When Hari Got Married is the great Indian wedding story, all right. But it's not like a full-on masala Bollywood film. Neither is it a boring documentary or sluggish travel channel feature. It's a real-life story that is engaging enough for you to sit through the entire one-and-a-half hours, and applaud. It's nicely packaged and not overly refined – just like the bride's (thankfully) minimal facial makeup!

The patience invested in the project shows. There is no out-of-the-book experimentation with camera as some footage is indeed yawn-friendly. However, except the parts where tourists are highlighted, the film is quite seamless. Like it or leave it, this particular wedding merits gatecrashing.

It is honest, endearing and mature, but what does one truly take away from the film, apart from the fact that we know Hari and Suman had an arranged marriage? Little else, to be honest. Personally speaking, though, I'm glad that I now know about the existence of Hari, Suman and their angelic daughter somewhere in the hills of Dharamsala; because they will find a place in my prayers henceforth.

It's the stuff of a romantic comedy, made all the more poignant because it's real.

Among the most heartening parts of When Hari Got Married are the bits that show Hari's family's changing attitudes towards women. While they're not exactly progressive – Hari would have liked his first child to be a boy instead of a girl – they're getting there. This is most evident in Hari's loving relationship with Suman. In a touching moment, he tells Suman that he wants no dowry; he just wants her.