New Delhi, May 23 -- Even as Sanjay Mishra delivers a climactic speech at his customary 20 km/hr, a third of Delhi's film journalists are slouching in the aisles of the theatre, physically present, spiritually done. I'm seated, but only just, eyeing the nearest exit, thinking of dinner options and career choices. We've been ground down by Bhool Chuk Maaf, a film about purgatory that feels like purgatory.

Ranjan (Rajkummar Rao) and Titli (Wamiqa Gabbi) are desperate to get married. Her father (Zakir Hussain), though, won't allow them to until unemployed, directionless Ranjan finds a job, any job (very anti-national of the film to suggest there's a job crisis that's driving young men to suicide). This sets up a dreary first 40 minutes, as ...