CAST: Ranveer Singh, Aliaa Bhat, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chaudhry, Churnia Ganguly, Aamir Bashir, Kshitee Jog, Anjali Anand, Abhinav Sharma

DIRECTOR: Karan Johar

Karan Johar skillfully transforms his trademark realm of family drama into a dazzling commentary on the prevailing cancel culture in our society—a culture that seems to disregard the essence of unity in diversity, particularly concerning marriages. Within the film, powerful paragraphs shed light on issues like misogyny, casual racism, and fat shaming, prompting a thoughtful reflection on how we can embrace one another’s imperfections and learn to coexist harmoniously.

In this vibrant tale, Ranveer Singh portrays the lively and prosperous urban Punjabi youth, Rocky. His path collides with that of Alia Bhatt’s character, the refined Rani Chatterjee, a conscientious journalist hailing from an “enlightened” background. Her father, a Kathak exponent named Tota Roy Chowdhury, and her mother, an English professor played by Churnee Ganguly, add to the cultural richness of her life.

Rocky’s world stands in stark contrast as he manages a family sweetmeat business under the firm control of his grandmother, Dhanlakshmi (Jaya Bachchan). Unfortunately, Dhanlakshmi holds patriarchal beliefs and exhibits misogynistic behavior. Rocky’s father, Tijori (Aamir Bashir), has adopted his mother’s narrow perspective, leading him to treat his wife (Kshitee Jog) as a doormat and his daughter merely as an object to be married off.

As Rocky and Rani discover a connection that goes beyond physical attraction, they embark on a mission to bridge the cultural gap between their families. Their plan involves convincing their respective in-laws to overcome their differences by living together for a period of three months. This experiment promises to be a captivating journey of self-discovery and understanding for all involved.

The film offers a modern twist to the classic tale of lovers from warring clans, as the narrative explores the struggles faced by Rocky’s grandfather, Kanwal (Dharmendra), and Rani’s grandmother, Jamini (Shabana Azmi), who were unable to turn their love into a relationship due to societal conditioning, leading to loveless marriages. In the shadows of a romance that lived in the older couple’s hearts ( and a passionate kiss between them), the story follows the new-age couple as they draw from the past to help their parents overcome cultural prejudices, forming the crux of the narrative.

The film starts with an infantile gaze, characterized by exaggerated caricatures, and the writers rely on bumper sticker logic to drive the narrative forward. Dharmendra, cast as a man with poetic sensibilities in a business family, is unjustly reduced to a mere laughing stock. Jaya Bachchan’s portrayal of Dhanlakshmi seems to draw inspiration from Amitabh Bachchan’s characters in “Mohabbatein” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” but the execution falls disappointingly flat, particularly in the first half.

Despite a backdrop of old hit songs, the chemistry between Dharmendra and Shabana fails to spark any magic. The romantic connection between Ranveer and Alia fares slightly better, but Karan’s reliance on kisses to generate chemistry feels curious and superficial. Ranveer’s natural charm and energy need a boost from a haircut and heartfelt lines. Similarly, Alia’s deep expressions do not align with the shallow lines she is given to work with.

Throughout the film, the hard-nosed journalist label assigned to Rani seems to be nothing more than a surface trait, as she is ultimately portrayed in the typical fashion of a chiffon sari-clad Bollywood heroine. Even before she confronts a boorish politician, her introduction centers on a shot of her back, with the camera deliberately highlighting the deep-neck blouse she’s wearing. The film strives for gaze parity by equally objectifying Ranveer as well.

The narrative gains much-needed depth when Rocky and Rani exchange homes. The second half of the film skillfully weaves a message into humor, showcasing moments of inspired writing as both sides of the divide begin to unlearn and learn many things they were raised with. Scenes like Rocky performing Kathak with Rani’s father and shopping for lingerie with his prospective mother-in-law deliver a powerful statement, even though they are delivered with raw emotion. Employing classic tricks of high-pitched melodrama, Karan orchestrates a transformation in the entitled brat as he learns the true meaning of respect for women. Simultaneously, Rani’s family discovers the golden qualities beneath Rocky’s cocky exterior, beyond just his six-pack abs.

The problem is the plastic ramp on and ramp off which leaves the audience with a disconnect to the love story. The characters fall in deep love without much of a build-up and the same happens when they finally reunite.

In an OG KJo style there is the romance stylization in chiffon and clever pivots but maybe what has worked for the maker in the last 25 years does not feel dreamy enough now or maybe the audience has changed.

In any case, the movie is a watch because of the inimitable Ranveer Singh and his superb comic timing with his character Rocky Randhawa, the heir to the Dhanlakshmi Laddoo empire.

One of the most captivating moments arises when Rocky, in a rare display of candor, expresses his frustration with the pressure of being politically correct at all times. In response, Rani’s grandmother shares a compelling anecdote about her own husband, revealing that he wasn’t so different from Rocky’s grandmother.

This interaction challenges the stereotypical representation of Punjabis and Bengalis in the film, emphasizing the idea that patriarchy is not solely determined by geography or gender. It serves as a thought-provoking reminder that cultural norms and prejudices can transcend regional boundaries and impact people from all walks of life. However, this same plot was better executed in Vicky Donor and it’s hilarious plot.

Shabana Azmi seems a bit botoxed and Dharmendra evokes nostalgia.

Aliaa fails to impress apart from chiffon twirls.

Ranveer, most charmingly steals the show.

In Theaters.