“Monica, O My Darling”: Decoding the Quirky Thriller’s Cinematic Soul

Vasan Bala may not be a name instantly recognizable to every audience member, but he is a director associated with acclaimed films like Raman Raghav 2.0 (as an assistant director/writer) and is highly respected for his unique, often quirky, cinematic voice evident in works like ‘Spotlight’ (from Netflix’s Ray anthology) and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (The Man Who Feels No Pain). His latest directorial effort, Monica O My Darling, is a distinct addition to this filmography. This article delves into this film not only for its inherent quirkiness but also because Monica O My Darling stands out as a remarkable tribute to the world of cinema, offering something engaging for various types of viewers.

• Starring: Huma Qureshi, Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte
• Duration: 2 hours 9 minutes
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Neo-noir Black Comedy-Thriller
• Where to watch: Netflix

CinéFeelTER T score : ⭐⭐⭐
CinéFeelTER E score : ⭐⭐⭐

As monica o my darling begins, we are immediately presented with a murder, setting a dark tone. However, the narrative quickly shifts to the world of Unicorn Industries. Here, Jayant Arkhedkar (Rajkummar Rao) is announced as a new director, naturally stirring resentment among those who felt they deserved the position. Into this corporate mix steps Monica Machado (Huma Qureshi), the charismatic secretary to the CEO, known for dispensing favors widely within the company.

The plot thickens with blackmail, elaborate plans are hatched, further crimes are committed, and events rapidly spiral out of control. The movie maintains a brisk pace throughout, preventing any moments of impatience. The performances are a key highlight. Radhika Apte, as ACP Naidu, is clearly having a blast in her role; her appearances consistently provide moments of humor. Similarly, Sikandar Kher’s portrayal of Nishikant Adhikari, the CEO’s son, is memorable, fittingly described in the credits as making ‘a dynamic appearance’. Sukant Goel, Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, and other supporting cast members deliver refreshing performances. However, Zayn Marie Khan’s portrayal of Shalu, Jayant’s sister, felt somewhat underdeveloped.

To discuss the plot further would risk spoilers, so shifting focus to the technical aspects, the director appears to hold Sriram Raghavan (known for films like Andhadhun, Johnny Gaddaar, Ek Hasina Thi, Badlapur) in high regard. This admiration is not only noted in the ‘Special Thanks’ section of the credits but also subtly woven into the film’s atmosphere, maintaining a distinct wackiness right up to the climax. The writing and direction are skillfully interconnected, though perhaps not perfectly taut. Complementing this is the background score by Achint Thakkar (known for the Scam 1992 title track), which evokes a strong retro feel reminiscent of classic thrillers and adds significantly to the film’s engaging tone. The editing feels precise and effective, and the screenplay along with the dialogues keep the audience fully absorbed.

The most exciting aspect of writing about monica o my darling is the abundance of easter eggs and cinematic references scattered throughout the film. There are so many that even discovering them all might require multiple viewings. Here’s a compilation of some key references, presented without revealing major plot spoilers:

A Treasure Trove of Cinematic Easter Eggs

The film’s official poster features a game of Snakes & Ladders in the background. This imagery can be interpreted in several ways, perhaps representing the presence of treachery (‘snakes’) and the corporate or political ascent (‘ladders’) depicted in the movie. Alternatively, the ladders might symbolize the intricate, multi-layered nature of the characters’ plans. Or, it might simply be a visual flourish open to interpretation.

Official poster for the Hindi film Monica O My Darling, featuring the main cast

A significant source of these tributes is director Sriram Raghavan himself, who was involved with the film in some capacity beyond mere inspiration. The setting itself is Pune, a frequent location in Raghavan’s movies. In an early scene, a character is seen viewing a social media page on a phone where the name ‘Sarika Vartak’ is visible in the top left corner. This was the name of Urmila Matondkar’s character in Raghavan’s directorial debut, Ek Hasina Thi. This name reappears in a later scene as well.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing the name Sarika Vartak on a phone screen

Another direct nod occurs in a scene at Jayant’s home. As he receives a gift box, the movie Johnny Gaddaar, another classic directed by Sriram Raghavan, is visibly playing on the television screen in the background.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing the film Johnny Gaddaar playing on a television

Adding to the Raghavan tributes, the plan devised by Sikandar Kher’s character bears a striking resemblance to the actions of the character known as Johnny in the film Johnny Gaddaar. This parallel encourages viewers to watch the earlier film to appreciate the reference fully.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing Sikandar Kher's character during a planning scene

A subtle yet clear reference to another Raghavan film is present when ACP Naidu (Radhika Apte) is shown finishing some work at a bank. The name ‘Bank of Badlapur’ is visible on the door, referencing Raghavan’s unconventional thriller, Badlapur.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing the name 'Bank of Badlapur' on a door

In a scene where Jayant’s sister calls him to share news, she is shown outside her house next to a wooden board listing the residents. The board’s sub-header reads ‘Thank you pausing to read the names’, and the list itself includes some of the greatest names associated with the Indian cinema industry, along with Sarika Vartak appearing again.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing a wooden board listing residents and cinematic names

Within the scene referencing Maqbool, Monica mentions ordering food from Saleem’s restaurant. This is a personal touch, as Saleem’s is a restaurant chain owned by Huma Qureshi’s family.

The tempo truck driven by Jayant in the movie features the name ‘Nasir Hussain’ on the back, serving as a tribute to the legendary Indian filmmaker.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing 'Nasir Hussain' written on the back of a tempo truck

Another prominent reference appears in a scene reminiscent of the 1993 film Baazigar. The specific setup and visual cues in monica o my darling strongly echo a memorable moment from that Shah Rukh Khan starrer.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing a character in a setting referencing the film Baazigar

Promotional image of Shah Rukh Khan from the 1993 film Baazigar

These are just some of the notable references. The film even cleverly incorporates details like the chips (Jack, King & Ace) used by the trio to decide their roles in a plan, a detail that parallels the mention of actor Bagavathi Perumal (popularly known as Bucks) as the CFO in the credits, suggesting a playful nod to the film’s own elements within its presentation.

Overall, monica o my darling is a thoroughly entertaining film. Its appeal stems from a combination of its inherent weirdness, the engaging pace of its storyline, and, significantly, its rich tapestry of iconic cinematic references. It’s an undeniably fun ride that warrants at least one viewing, and likely more, to catch all the subtle details and nods you might have initially missed.

P.S.: One important note! Do not read ahead if you have not seen the movie, as this section contains spoilers for the climax.

The scene involving Rajkummar Rao and the snakes in the film’s climax draws a parallel to the ending of Sriram Raghavan’s Ek Hasina Thi, specifically the scene involving rats and Saif Ali Khan’s character. The comparison feels close enough to be considered another potential tribute to Raghavan’s work.

Screenshot from Monica O My Darling showing a character interacting with snakes in a tense scene

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica,_O_My_Darling
https://www.pixartprinting.co.uk/blog/the-fonts-of-quentin-tarantino/
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/25-years-baazigar-10-trivia-shah-rukh-khans-spontaneity-four-way-clash-alternate-ending-didnt-know/
https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/ott/122002-monica-o-my-darling-hidden-easter-eggs-rajkummar-rao-huma-qureshi-radhika-apte-netflix.html
https://whatainfo.in/wiki/khaby-lame/