MR. HOUSEKEEPING MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Hari Bhaskar, Losliya, Rayan, Shara, Ilavarasu
Director: Arun Ravichandran
A cheerful but naive Honest Raj (Hari Bhaskar) faces rejection from Isai (Losliya), an independent engineering college student. He makes a dramatic challenge about finding someone better than her, which sets the story in motion.
Four years later, a jobless Honest Raj takes up a housekeeping job, coincidentally at Isai’s house. Despite his initial hesitation about the job’s status, he performs his duties sincerely. This dedication helps him become Isai’s ‘boy bestie’ – a status he misinterprets as love. Isai helps him grow professionally by helping him clear his college arrears and securing him a mid-level position at her workplace.
Just when things seem perfect for Honest, his world crumbles when Isai rejects his proposal again, revealing she’s dating their colleague Harish (Rayan) and plans to marry him. This sets up an interesting exploration of unrequited love and the importance of consent in relationships.
YouTuber-turned-actor Hari Baskar brings an endearing quality to his role, showing natural flair for both comedy and emotional scenes. While his performance in the first hour tends toward theatricality, he settles into the character as the story progresses. Losliya delivers a confident performance, effectively portraying her character’s journey from assertiveness to vulnerability. Rayan fits well into his supporting role, while Shara and Ilavarasu provide much-needed comic relief.
Director Arun Ravichandran attempts to craft a Gen-Z love story while addressing deeper themes like self-worth, unrequited love, and the dignity of work. While the screenplay occasionally lacks coherence and falls into predictable patterns, it manages to keep audiences engaged through its runtime.
The film’s technical aspects shine through. Kulothunga Varman’s vibrant cinematography and Ramasubbu’s crisp editing maintain visual interest. Osho Venkat delivers pleasant songs, though the background score sometimes feels repetitive.
Despite its flaws, Mr. Housekeeping offers an entertaining take on modern relationships, even if it doesn’t break new ground in the romance genre.