Huma Qureshi's Single Salma revolves around a 33-year-old single woman, bogged down by societal expectations. Despite good intent, the film fails to leave a lasting impact. Read our review to know more
Single Salma movie still
Bollywood has often celebrated the idea of self-love and the importance of individuality in a woman’s life. Films like Kangana Ranaut’s Queen and Tanu Weds Manu offered a refreshing take on this theme, showcasing how their protagonists rediscover themselves by breaking free from societal expectations. Nachiket Samant’s Single Salma treads a similar path, shedding light on the struggles faced by single women in their 30s. But is it worth a watch? Let’s find out.
Storyline
Single Salma follows the story of Salma Rizvi, a 33-year-old engineer from Lucknow who has spent her youth juggling responsibilities instead of chasing dreams. Unmarried and overburdened, Salma is caught in a whirlwind of duties — reclaiming her ancestral haveli, getting her sisters married, and funding her brother’s education. While she silently bears it all, her worried mother is desperate to see her “settled” and drags her to endless matrimonial meetings with regressive men.
Just when life seems stuck in a loop, Sikandar (Shreyas Talpade), a kind-hearted, middle-aged man, genuinely falls for her. Their match is fixed, and for once, Salma dares to believe her story might finally find stability. But destiny has other plans. She leaves for London for a special project, where she meets Meet Sahni (Sunny Singh), a carefree, modern man who teaches her to live unapologetically. From sipping cocktails to wearing a bikini for the first time, Salma tastes freedom and discovers a version of herself she never knew existed.
Upon returning to Lucknow, she realises she is no longer in love with Sikandar, while Meet also comes to terms with his feelings for her. On the day of the wedding, both Sikandar and Meet arrive with their baarats. Who will Salma end up marrying? To find out, watch the film.
Review
The film’s heart is in the right place. It touches on relatable themes like women’s independence, family pressure, and the search for identity. A few moments, particularly Salma’s transformation in London, feel refreshing and genuine. It also sheds light on how educated women in their 30s are judged by society and easily deemed “characterless” for their choices. Amid all this, how Salma continues to take pride in her work and learns to live life on her own terms is what stands out. Despite belonging to a conservative family, her progressive ideology eventually brings about some change within her household.
While the idea of Single Salma might sound intriguing on paper, writers Mudassar Aziz, Amina Khan, and Ravi Kumar fail to weave a moving story out of it. The film starts on a promising note but loses grip as it progresses. The scattered screenplay barely gives director Nachiket Samant any scope to stitch together an engrossing film. Unfortunately, it’s the lazy writing coupled with clichéd storytelling that makes this rom-com plain boring.
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At times, things feel forced, as the makers try to convey too much but fail to translate it effectively on screen. For instance, Salma is always shown tired, simply to highlight her helplessness. The much-talked-about bikini scene also fails to leave a mark, as most conflicts in the film are resolved through happy coincidences, taking away any real tension. The actors try hard to bring out the comedy, but most fall short. To drag the narrative, a few songs and dance numbers are thrown in and none of them entice.
Performances
Talking of performances, Huma Qureshi’s act as Salma keeps you somewhat invested. She excels with what’s written for her, bringing the right amount of gumption and grace to the role. Shreyas Talpade tries to do justice to his poorly sketched character, and his comic timing in a couple of scenes helps you sail through. Sunny Singh is, as usual, dependable. Supporting actors like Kanwaljit Singh, Asif Khan, Nidhi Singh, and Lauren Gottlieb deliver what’s expected of them.
At the end of the day, despite having a relevant subject, it’s the rudimentary treatment that makes Huma Qureshi’s film a tedious watch.
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