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Movie Review: ‘Badhaai Ho’

Right from the first posters and trailer of ‘Badhaai Ho’, audiences would have thought they were in for a treat. With a topic that is wrapped in comedy and stereotypical reactions, it seems this Ayushmann Khurrana and Sanya Malhotra starrer would not only have you laughing out loud but also cringing while watching it on the screen. With Amit Sharma returning after three years with a fresh film, it seemed that this could be the one to propel him into the kind of cinema that was quirky and current, as with the trend that is ongoing today.

When Mr and Mrs Kaushik (played by Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta), who have a son of marriageable age (Nakul, played by Khurrana) discover they are expecting a baby due to one night of passion, they not only become the talk of the town but also of their respective sons friends. After Mrs Sharma makes the decision she does not want an abortion, the family are left to face society and their own family members with this truth, which has funny and sometimes very slice-of-life reactions from those around them.

It has to be said that that writers – Shanatanu Srivastava, Akshat Ghildial and Jyoti Kapoor – have truly come up with a film and topic which is cinema-worthy in today’s age. Sharma’s treatment of this story adds the spice, humour and feel needed in equal and worthy quotients to make this a family film which really is to be enjoyed by the entire family. It’s not quite a taboo subject but it is. It’s also not really a funny topic but it actually has a very funny side. The embarrassment this topic comes with is something Sharma plays very well with throughout the film, adding in some great moments that the audiences will always remember.

There are a couple of scenes in the film which Khurrana absolutely shines in – when he’s talking to Renee’s mother and also in the final scenes.

The casting for this film could not have been any better than it was. Rao and Gupta as the couple in question, the two who have done the deed, the two who are doing parents to their sons, the son and daughter-in-law who are having to face people who seem to be laughing behind their backs… their performances are applauseworthy to say the least. To top this off, Surekha Sikri as Dadi is an absolute revelation. She’s the one who opens her mouth when noone else feels its right to. She is also the voice that challenges social “norms” through the film, making one think about their own thoughts about the situation as a viewer. Khurrana and Malhotra are great together in the film with the former, once again, showing how interesting topics and offbeat-ish films are helping him grow into an actor who aims to not only please but wow his audiences. There are a couple of scenes in the film which Khurrana absolutely shines in – when he’s talking to Renee’s mother and also in the final scenes. Malhotra is also a delight to see on the big screen once again post 2016’s ‘Dangal’. Her effortless acting captivates you totally and you can’t really take your eyes off her. Shardul Rana is also great as the younger son, Gular.

The music of the film is also decent, with the title song, Morni Ban Ke – remixed from the popular Punjabi track – and also Nain Na Jodeen being the winners of the lot.

Overall, this is one film that is a must-watch. It’s packed full of humour; real-life humour at that. However, it’s also filled with some amazingly heart-touching moments between the family. All in all, this makes for a perfect family entertainer from start to finish and audiences will relate to the story in one way or another… it’s guaranteed.