Ayushmann Blockbuster Khurrana is back with a bang this year with Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Mr. content Khurrana has once again proved this name with a humorous take on homophobia.
The story is based on salesmen Aman Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) and Kartik Singh (Ayushmann Khurrana) find love in the capital city of Delhi, where they live in oblivion and their relationship grows and blossoms without being frowned upon. Problems start to crop up when the two decide to go back to Allahabad and convince Aman’s orthodox parents for their approval.
Kartik comes out to his ‘lohar’ father as a teenager and faces the brunt of it head-on, and so the thought of being judged and the idea of being ridiculed does not bother him much. But, his partner from small-town Aman dreads the mere thought of an ugly confrontation with his folks.
While Kartik thinks that there is scope for his love story will impress the Tripathi’s, Aman is sure that there is nothing that can make them work out together for life.
In the first scene, the couple is seen chasing a train to Allahabad, where they are headed for an uphill battle with the latter’s family and the society’s conventional mentality in general. The madness starts when Aman’s father catches his son during a make-out scene with his partner Kartik in the train.
There are lots and lots of laugh moments in the film that will make you hooked up to your seat till the end. Although the storyline becomes predictable after a time still your focus remains at the humour in the film and it makes you think of the punches which can come after.
Since the film is primarily invested in the small-town drama pertaining to the taboo around same-sex relationships, the writer-director fails to tap on the elements exclusive to small cities like Allahabad and restricts the plotline to one conventional family.
On the performances front, the film is a stealer when it comes to the acting part. Ayushmann Khurrana as always is a delight to watch as Kartik. His carefree attitude gets you and makes you ignore all the damages which the film has done so far. Jitendra Kumar as Aman is a decent actor and walks at a steady pace with Ayushmann in the film. He balances it out with his poker-faced humour and maintains a natural aura in the film.
Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan Box Office Day 1 Collection: Ayushmann Khurrana starrer all set to make your weekend
Coming to the supporting cast, Maanvi Gagroo, as the 27-year-old cousin Google desperately waiting for society’s stamp of approval in the form of an arranged marriage, is a show-stealer in her own capacity. Gajraj Rao, as the dominating patriarch and a failed scientist, is both serious in his approach when needed, and funny, when the situation demands him to be. Likewise, Neena Gupta, as the fully-invested mother and ‘aadhi adhuri’ wife, delivers some of the best punch lines and gets the small-town mentality bang on.
Also, a huge shout-out to Pankhuri Awasthy for her sweet performance in the film which makes us laugh and love her even when she turns a bit shady at the end. The cliche shy girl played by her who desperately wants to get married is something you might have seen earlier but definitely not so naturally and effortlessly.
Overall, the film is something which needs to be told and in the form of humour, it has surely taken the first step to normalise homophobia. The film has its heart in the right place despite the flaws. While the first half is engaging, the second part is a bit dragged and could have been curtailed to 20 mins. There are not too many songs but that is for the right reasons as there is no song which you take back home humming.
So Shubh Mangal Saavdhan is a delight watch because of the stellar performances and a good healthy laugh type entertainer. The film is a decent take on two lovers pouring their heart out for acceptance. If not for love and acceptance, surely go for Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar.
Watch the trailer here:
