ROCKY AUR RANI KII PREM KAHANI is a sweet entertaining film after a long, long time. It has all the wow of the Karan Johari sets, the inspiring sarees of Sri Devi Songs, the illogical incidences of the Govinda movie and the family values of Rajshiri Production. But it is out and out a Ranbir Singh and Alia Bhatt movie. However, Dharmendra and Shabana Azami steal a few moments. If you look deep, there are a lot of well-meaning intent statements and lessons, but it is still not Preachy as it is sometimes screechy. While the lessons happen in the class, you enjoy the ambience and the high voltage chemistry between lead players.
It starts with the oldest formula in Indian movies after Mele mai Bichude Bhai (brothers lost in a fair) – the concept of opposite attracts. So you have Ranveer Singh as the loud, overconfident, rich, flamboyant, daring boy Rocky. It is the colourful big-mouth role that is entirely written for Ranveer Singh. I can’t think of any other actor who could have delivered on it. Then there is well-educated, defiant, full of equality and inclusiveness, empowered Bengali television news anchor Rani played superbly by ever-loving gorgeous Alia Bhatt.
Off-course, they fall in love, and there are the usual problems of families not accepting the relationship because they have something else in mind for them. Till here everything is fine. Then they have a brilliant live-in solution with a twist. Rocky lives with Rani’s family, and Rani lives with Rocky’s family for three months to try to ensure the families like them and accept them. And the movie becomes a bit slow.
Ranveer is the new Govinda, Alia the new Sridevi, Rani Mukherjee, Jacquline Fernandez, Rashmica Mandana and Kajol all rolled into one.
Not Preeachy, Not Screetchy.
The film touches upon various issues, never spending much time on one. Mainly, it keeps telling you that the family matters and the lady in the house derives the love and respect as the male of the house. Patriarchy, gender bias, misogyny, body shaming, culture class, differential taste, looking for problems rather than solutions, self-centeredness and more. It does so without seeming preachy, and you enjoy it. At the same time, the movie delivers the experience and the lessons in a chaotic, humorous narrative. There is always enough happening on the screen. The chemistry between the main lead revives the movie experience whenever it slows down. Ranveer and Alia take a bow. You have performed wonderfully well, as has Dhamendra as Kawal, Rocky’s Grandfather and Shabana as Thakuman, Rani’s Grandmother. Must also appreciate Jaya Bachchan as Dhanalaxmi- Grandmother of Rocky and the head of Dhanalaxmi Sweets. She does have her moments. Rani’s father, Chandan, is an acclaimed kathak Dancer who has been laughed at and called a loser and is perfectly played by Tota Roy Chowdhury. Additionally, Aamir Bashir as Tijori- the father of Rocky and Namit Das as Rani’s colleague, find their own moments to add to the movie experience.
The movie is also about clashing cultures and personalities. It depicts how judgmental and dismissive people can be of each other. There is the use of a medley of Bollywood classics. It is overdone and sometimes almost becomes an irritant. It is saved by the love between Rocky-Rani and Kawal and Thakuma.
SONGS
Personally, in a movie loaded with songs, I only liked ‘What Junka’. It is trendy with an excellent hook step. We will hear this song a lot in the coming festival season. We may also hear the opening sing ‘Hot Property” a lot more.
NET NET – OVERALL ENTERTAINER.
It is a movie with many faults or situations and characters stereotyped that one may disagree with. So, if you look for flaws, you will find enough. However, it is an entertainer if you look for a collective overall impression. And that is what counts or should count. I hope the movie does better than the numbers suggest and, at some stage, really picks up momentum.
DIRECTOR: Karan Johar STAR CAST: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Aamir Bashir, Tota Roy Chowdhury
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