Kaande Pohe review: A modern twist at an arranged marriage

The Patils are gearing up for a proposal for their daughter Manisha. The mother makes the ubiquitous dish, kaande pohe, a preparation of beaten rice and onions, which is also the title of this charming short film. The comfort food, which can be served up at any occasion, is used here to bring two families together in marriage.

Shubham Yogi’s Kaande Pohe is a modern take on arranged marriages. A young man, Sanjay, comes to see Manisha with a few preconceived notions. In front of their parents, the pair seems hesitant about the whole affair.

Their kundlis (horoscopes) have been matched up already and their parents are hoping that they will, too. And, surprisingly, Sanjay and Manisha tentatively find common ground early on. Later, when they go up to the first floor balcony to talk a bit more freely is when we discover their real personalities.

The ‘forward-thinking’ Sanjay asks Manisha if she will work after college, and he finds out her big secret. At first, the short leads you to believe it could be a dealbreaker between the two.

When we find out about Manisha’s ‘work’, don’t be surprised if you catch yourself smiling. Actress Ahsaas Channa plays Manisha as a sweet but confident young woman who is secretly quite ambitious. The awkward Sanjay has no idea what’s coming to him.

Channa and Tushar Pandey share an easy chemistry, and their budding relationship as Manisha and Sanjay, respectively, is fun to watch.

Based on a story by Sharanya Rajgopal, Kaande Pohe has nice little touches, from mother and daughter wrestling over a mobile phone (we find out its significance later) to Manisha’s younger brother Paapya (Monu Kanojiya) offering Sanjay a cigarette when they are alone.

The screenplay and dialogues by Yogi are a mixture of Hindi and a little Marathi. While the short film begins with the traditional practices of an arranged match, it quickly moves ahead to the prospective bride and groom taking matters into their hands, thanks to the use of modern apps and social media.

As they decide if they are right for each other, Manisha puts Sanjay on the spot in a test to see if he is worthy. Released during the week of Valentine’s Day, Kaande Pohe is a little under 10 minutes but succinctly makes it mark. This is a dish worth savouring.