This is the second time in all my years of watching movies in the cinema, where during the climatic scene the whole theatre would erupt in spontaneous cheers, whistles and claps (the first time it happened was Speed). It's never an easy task to be able to manage a feat like that. If it happens it is because the movie has gotten under everyone's skin and the audience want to celebrate the end of the hero's journey. In Queen's case it is a heroine which is an absolute marvel in Bollywood. It is not often that an ordinary female figure is the central character.

The story premise is not new. I have seen stories like this in every language. Rani (Kangana Ranaut) is due to marry Vijay (Rajkummar Rao), but 2 days before the wedding Vijay wants out. His reason - he has changed and marriage is an impediment to his life pursuit. His real reason I think is that he finds Rani is not good enough for him. Rani is devastated. Who wouldn't? She sulks and finally decides to go on the Honeymoon trip to Paris and Amsterdam on her own. The stuff that happen on the trip and the people she meets will change her life forever.

This is a common story but what is done in Queen totally surprised me. My wife tells me that one of things she found so refreshing is that there is no new love angle. Most of these type of films love to rush out of the blocks to make the girl fall in love with a new worthier man. This movie also doesn't have any wise person to give sagely advice to her. In short it feels like a breath of fresh air. The script is really smart and maintains a light-hearted tone throughout. Everybody already knows breaking up is terrible, especially when it's at the marriage altar. No need to manipulate us to weep again and again. Instead the script make us laugh and laugh. But it's laughter tinged with poignancy. I also love the seamless editing. It moves back and forth in its timeline but not once am I confused. In fact, it makes perfect sense for the flashbacks because it is Rani's way of remembering the past and then to exorcise it out of her. Stories like this get condescending very fast but I didn't feel that low blow at all.

Anybody who knows movies knows casting is 99%. The success of this film owes a huge proportion to the acting talents of Kangana Ranaut. I don't think I have seen her before and she absolutely nails her role to perfection. Right from the start when her character has not even been fleshed out, my heart already felt like bursting when Vijay says he doesn't want to marry her. Watch and marvel at a great actress. So nuanced, so pitiful, so spot-on. The whole film rested on her shoulders and she carried the movie to the finishing line and beyond.

Why beyond? Because the movie is not just entertaining, it is also an important film with something to say about the plight of young women in India. The movie suggests that woman is looked upon as objects rather than life partners in a marriage. Where the finger is pointed at is a the mindset of people. So in a sense Queen is giving an "up yours" to all the men and also for women to start figuring out who they are, what they want and what they are worth. The message definitely went through because the audience cheered when Rani sticks it up to Vijay at the end. Watch this movie get nominated for some big awards this year.