Movie Review: ‘7 Days’

Even now, parents in India continue to arrange their sons and daughters’ marriages. It doesn’t matter if the offspring are children or adults, the parents are there planning and scheming.

Traditionally the meetings between families were conducted in person over tea and sweets. Now the negotiations are mostly conducted on the internet, using Twitter, Tweet, Skype and Zoom. Photographs of the intended include written descriptions of their beliefs, faiths and future plans.

The parents of Ravi (Karan Soni) are most anxious to find a bride for their uptight, demanding son. He, too, hopes to find a bride, but his restrictions for candidates rule out too many possibilities.

Rita’s (Geraldine Viswanathan) parents are also anxious to find her a suitable mate as she is approaching the cutoff line for eligibility (age). Her laissez-faire attitude toward relationships and marriage doesn’t help her parents find a suitable person.

Finally the parents meet, and after lengthy Zoom negotiations they arrange a meeting for the two young adults. Sitting an appropriate six feet apart and wearing protective face masks Ravi and Rita begin their first in person conversation. He is nervous, she is relaxed. He asks if she eats meat, drink alcohol, is religious. She replies no to the first two.

As their conversation continues, they decide it’s safe to lower their masks – now they can see each other’s facial expressions. In the middle of their exchange their mobile phones clatter with incoming messages from WHO and other health agencies announcing a COVID alert – everyone is to shelter inside. Rita’s home is nearby, so that’s where they go.

Once inside the messy, litter-strewn home, Ravi notices empty beer bottles on the floor and dining table. Rita says they belong to a friend who comes to her place to watch games on TV. It’s the same explanation she has for the plate of chunky fried chicken in her refrigerator.

Unable to arrange for a car to take him home to shelter, Rita suggests he sleep on her sofa and take a car the next morning. The next day Ravi has no better luck in finding a car so the two resign themselves to his staying a bit longer.

After a brief walk outside, Ravi comes in the door to find Rita with a chunk of fried chicken in one hand and a beer bottle poised at her mouth. So much for being an alcohol-free vegetarian. Ravi has to adjust to this new revelation just as Rita has to adjust to living in a clean, well-organized home – Ravi has been busy. At this point, neither one can help themselves.

Rita’s COVID symptoms worsen to the point that she is rushed to the hospital. Ravi accompanies her and after she is settled, he waves a sad goodbye through the window to her room. He checks on her progress daily as he continues to clean house and organize her belongings. This is also time for him to consider his feelings and if she might be a good match.

While recovering in bed, Rita considers the possibility of spending the rest of her life with Ravi. Receiving a panic call, Ravi dashes to the hospital.

Directed by Roshan Sethi (directorial debut), “7 Days” runs 86 minutes and is a “should see” for a charmingly original love story unfolding in the time of the COVID pandemic.