Movie Review: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania

A rich spoilt carefree NRI brat having no qualms about healthy flirting mostly wearing shirts half untucked gets serious just once in life; when he falls for a girl completely opposite to him. She is getting arranged but he won’t let her elope with him. He will win over the girl’s strict and conservative father. Almost two decades post DDLJ released, the cult film still continues to inspire film-makers. Still running in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir, it is but quite impossible to imagine any other movie celebrating love the way DDLJ did. This week’s release is a modern-day tribute to that film and I won’t call it a rip-off or remake- Debutante Director Shashank Khaitan’s ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’ is about a DDLJ-obsessed fan whose love story takes the same path.

Rakesh Sharma (Varun Dhawan) is Humpty for his loved ones; nicknamed the same when he was a fat kid. Humpty, an easy-going happy-go-lucky Delhi boy (who gets moist-eyed whenever he watches DDLJ) meets Ambala girl Kavya (Alia Bhatt). Yes, of course they fall in love. But there is a slight problem- she is in Delhi for her wedding shopping, especially because she wants a designer lehenga! All set to get into an arranged marriage with a NRI Doctor (TV actor Siddharth Shukla); Kavya’s life changes when love blossoms a month before her wedding and the lovers make out. The father of the bride played by Ashutosh Rana (after a hiatus), a successful businessman in Ambala himself had a love marriage but wants Kavya to settle with Angad (Siddharth Shukla) because his elder daughter had a bitter experience. Humpty follows his heart; faces his would-be father-in-law with support from his girl to which our Amrishpuri here challenges him to find a single fault in Angad. If he finds even one, he can have Kavya. But alas… the guy is too perfect.

First-time Director Shashant Khaitan’s movie is nothing path-breaking and doesn’t even intend to be one. But he hits the right notes. Well, mostly! The plot is heavily inspired from DDLJ since it is a tribute but is served fresh with changes for today’s generation. The dialogues are funny and really add up well to the proceedings. The film also benefits a lot from the lead actors’ crackling on-screen chemistry. So natural are their constant bickering and cuddling that you instantly get fond of the two characters. Khaitan seems to know how to please the audience; especially the love-struck ones. However, the music is pathetic. The second half loses steam and had it not been for the good writing and humour, it would have been a huge bore! There are too many clichés. We have seen so many arrogant

fathers against love marriages in movies, haven’t we? The hero always fights the villains when they misbehave with his heroine. And not to forget, a wedding song has to be danced at before the day.

Both Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt are excellent. Here are two stars in the making who can act and express; they also share a fantastic on-screen chemistry. Oh yes… all three students of the year have graduated and are coming through with flying colours. A special mention for Alia for her choice of roles so far; reminding one of a younger Kareena Kapoor, this girl has it in her to be at the top of her league and even more soon. However, Varun as Humpty is the most endearing here. He plays it with a certain sincerity and innocence which is hard to ignore. Ashutosh Rana is good; it’s a pity we don’t see him often. I still recall his performances in ‘Dushman’ and ‘Sangharsh’. Siddharth Shukla is only there to give our hero a complex; the guy can’t act at all. Gaurav Pandey and especially, Sahil Vaid as Humpty’s best friends are hilarious.

Watch it or not: Absolutely; just ignore the poor music.

At the Box-Office: With ‘Ek Villain’ slowing down now after its success and last week’s disaster ‘Bobby Jasoos’, there are good chances this one will do well. Opening collections should be good in the first weekend. No big films releasing till 25^th (‘Kick’) will also be an advantage. Business in North will be best.

My Verdict: “Jaa… Jee le apni zindagi”– this time the guy is asked to live well. Women Empowerment!

• About the Author

About Abhirup Dhar

I don't watch movies... I live them! Let me introduce myself. Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and is still being brought up in India. A banker by profession, he is filmy to the core and is passionate about reviewing movies and writing. He likes to live on his own… he likes to be blunt, sarcastic, famous, infamous, confident, over-confident, moody at times… he likes to be himself. He is imperfect because perfection is boring. His love for movies dates back to his childhood days when he studied in a boarding school. A three-month Winter Vacation every year… and he made sure he watched as many movies then. Parents thought it was a phase... he knew it was Passion and he knew it back then itself. The craziness to watch movies on the Big Screen began during the last two years of school when he literally bunked to town so that he could catch up with the new Hindi Movie releases. Some thought he was plain crazy. He confirmed it was Passion... yet again. The hard fact is that not always can you walk a path you are passionate about. You have expectations to fulfill and Life to be made. But Life gives you chances and you have to grab them. So... here is he... your friendly critic who will be giving you his Verdict every week so that you can decide which release is worth your moolah and which is not! See you at the Movies! Stay connected at Facebook and Twitter!