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Bollywood is finally taking care of small town people too. Earlier, Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar and later Subhash Ghai joined the race to make NRIs the heroes of their films. Unlike in the recent past, the heroes are neither from the US nor from the UK , they happen to hail from small Indian towns like Kanpur, Lucknow and even Bareilly. Director Chandan Arora who won applause some time back in his debut film 'Main Madhuri Dixit Banana Chahti Hoon' had its heroine from Gajraula, a smaller town.

The transition from the NRI phase to the small town people is the result of recent inflow of talent from small towns. Rajpal Yadav has made it quite big in Bollywood though he hails from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh . Similarly, Mohit Ahlawat and Mallika Shehrawat come from Panipat in Haryana and Tanushri Dutta from Jharkhand. This change is reflected throughout the industry ; in the story selection by the directors and the producers.

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So, we have 'Bunty and Babli' from a small town making it big at the box office, and now we have Mithilesh and Veena trying to win the hearts of viewers on the silver screen. While the movies of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Gulzar centered around classes, those of Subhash Ghai and Man Mohan Desai were meant for masses. However, it has taken a full turn and the latest to peep into the lives of small town people is the new release this Friday 'Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh.'

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Meet Mithilesh Shukla (Rajpal Yadav), a librarian in Lucknow University. He is satisfied with whatever he is and whatever he has in life. He doesn't have any complaint and knows well his strength and weaknesses . He is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy who wants to enjoy life being a bachelor. He has no intention to get married until he meets Veena (Rituparna Sengupta), a beautiful girl from Bareilly. She is tall, dark and sensuous.

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Mithilesh loses his heart to her at the very first sight. When she agrees for marriage, Mithilesh readies his mind too. This makes Mithilesh as well as his family happy. Mithilesh and Veena get married and wish to lead a happy life. But Mithilesh gets disillusioned when he finds that his wife gets more attention than he. His short height and normal looks cause him worry. Even hawkers take note of his wife's beauty, so he goes maniac.

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He tries everything to boost his personality. He wants to increase his height, change his looks and improve his way of talking, but nothing helps him. And to make matters worse, enters Veeena's friend Akash (Kay Kay) in their life and it looks like Mithilesh will lose the competition in this race . After trying hard, when Mithilesh sees his score diminishing, he starts thinking on his follies and wants to revert the process, but it is not that easy!

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'Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh' is a unique example where the cast of the film becomes secondary and the narration takes the priority. Written by Rajpal Yadav himself with the help of Gunjan Joshi, 'Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh' dwells deep in the psyche of a common man who is caught in the web of fantasies and realties of harsh life. Pankaj Saraswat's dialogues and Pankaj and Ashok Khanna's screenplay have developed as per the need of the hour.

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The story is first rate though the screenplay halters the pace of narration at odd places. The narration breaks time and again due to songs; the mood is disturbed every time a song is played without any logic. These songs would have better been avoided . 'Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh' also suffers from loose editing and weak direction. Chandan Arora fails to maintain the pace of the story, and after interval for a long time, the story doesn't move at all. Jehangir Chaudhary's cinematography is the only saving grace in technical departments.

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Among actors, Rajpal Yadav and Rituparna Sengupta are first rate. In fact, it is Rajpal Yadav's best performance till date. He has proved once again that it is not the look but the performance that matters most on screen. Despite his short height and common looks he has made it big . Rituparna Sengupta has got first major break in this film. And after doing several films in Bollywood that went unnoticed in the past like 'Teesra Kaun' and 'Kali Topi Lal Rumal', it is 'Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh' that will earn her lots of praise in the days to come.

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Kay Kay is another actor that leaves his impression while Vinod Nagpal and Varun Badola lend apt support. On the whole, 'Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh' is a film that will be liked by those who look for something different. However, it is not a film that will be liked by masala movie watchers. The fate of the film rests on the mouth publicity, and is not very bright in terms of commercial success.

The SmasHits team met with the hero and the heroine at the movie's premiere in Delhi.

Excerpts of their tete-e-tete:

Rajpal Yadav

What is 'Mein Meri Patni Aur Woh' all about ?

The movie is based on my idea.

Who is 'Woh' in this movie ?

It can be anybody like society, neighbor and friend.

What are your expectations from this movie ?

I have great expectations . We are getting a very good response from everywhere.

When did you decide to act in movies ?

In class six, I had decided to make acting as my career. So, after school I joined National School of Drama.

How do you spend your weekend ?

For me every day is Sunday and every day is Monday ?

Which is your favorite day in a year ?

The last day of the year is my favorite day. I take rest on that day ,whatever it may be. I go out with my wife and also do a lot of shopping.

Which is your favorite destination?

Goa within and Canada outside the country.

What do you take in breakfast ?

Four eggs without yolk, and milk.

Rituparna

What's your role in the film?

I am very optimistic, a simple lady with pleasant personality in the movie. I am playing the role of a dedicated wife who loves her husband very much.

How was your experience working with Rajpal ?

It was a great working with him. He is a very powerful actor.

It's your first movie in Bollywood . How did you enter Bollywood ?

Bollywood has big dimension and is more flexible. It has a larger audience too.

What are your hobbies ?

Dancing. I know Odisi quite well , and give regular stage performances.