🌟🌟🌟(3/5 stars)
Love triangles and retrograde amnesia, can it get any more ‘Bollywood’ than this?
Hello, darlings, it’s your favourite Bollywood critic, Review Rani, back again with a fresh serving of juicy film review. Buckle up, for we have a story so clichéd, it could be a Bollywood classic from the ’90s.
Ladies and gents, we have our protagonist, Ankur (played by Arjun Kapoor), a man so haunted by the ghost of his polarizing ex-wife, Prabhleen (Bhumi Pednekar) that even the thought of a fling gives him shivers. Enter Antara (Rakul Preet Singh), the college sweetheart who re-enters his life with the force of a monsoon shower, washing away his past and rekindling the sparks of love. But hold your horses, folks, because Prabhleen is about to make a comeback!
In a twist of fate so classic that it would make Ekta Kapoor proud, Prabhleen ends up with retrograde amnesia post an accident. She conveniently forgets the last five years, which includes her tumultuous marriage and messy divorce from Ankur. Now, the ex-wife believes she’s still married, and the current love interest, Antara, is battling to reclaim her territory. So, who gets the prize, aka Ankur? Let’s dive into the madness.
This film, helmed by Mudassar Aziz, starts off on a promising note. We have amusing banter, a light-hearted camaraderie between Ankur and his best friend, Rehan (Harsh Gujral), and a hope for something fresh. But alas! The story descends into the murky waters of predictability, with two women fighting for the man’s affection.
The narrative ends up being a hot-pot of clichés. We have the stereotypical neurologist, a game of dumb charades, lavish pre-wedding festivities in Scotland (because, why not?), and a tug-of-war between the two women, all of which make the plot lose steam.
Prabhleen is initially painted as the wicked witch of the west, but as the narrative unfolds, we discover that Ankur was no prince charming either. His chauvinistic and conventional attitude, his lack of respect for Prabhleen’s career, and his refusal to communicate, make it hard for us to root for him.
Arjun Kapoor manages to deliver a decent performance, while Bhumi Pednekar shines in her Punjabi kudi avatar despite a poorly developed character. Rakul Preet Singh, as the strong London girl, does her best with what she’s given.
The real show-stealer, though, is Harsh Gujral. His comic timing and effortless delivery make for some of the most enjoyable moments in the film.
In conclusion, this rom-com may not be a groundbreaking piece of cinema, but it does have its moments. It’s a comfortable ride down nostalgia lane, with predictable plot twists and familiar tropes.
Rani’s Wrap-Up: It’s a love triangle with a dash of amnesia, a sprinkle of sexism, and a whole lot of clichés. So, if you’re in the mood for some classic Bollywood masala, go on, take the plunge. After all, who doesn’t like a good ol’ game of “Who gets the boy?” 🙄🍿🎬
