Kaushaljis vs Kaushal

KaushalJis vs Kaushal is a warm, heartfelt reminder that our parents are not just caretakers of our ambitions - they have dreams, desires, and inner lives of their own. It gently nudges the younger generation to pause and look at their parents not just as guardians, but as individuals who might still be chasing something meaningful.

The story is fresh and well-crafted, avoiding clichés while staying deeply relatable. Director Seema Desai brings a strong and visionary touch to the narrative, allowing the emotional contrasts within the central couple to unfold with grace and authenticity. The emotional distance between them is not forced - it's delicately portrayed through small gestures, silences, and emotional outbursts that feel real.

Performances are nuanced, the writing is honest, and the pacing gives room for reflection. It's not just a film about aging or domestic life - it's about respect, empathy, and rediscovery within relationships.

If you're looking for a movie that brings generations closer - with sincerity, simplicity, and soul - this one deserves your time.

Middle aged parents of grown up children living in a small town in UP find that they are quarreling and arguing most of the time. Both have not been able to pursue their individual passions after marriage. He ( Ashutosh Rana) wanted to be a quawwali singer while she ( Sheeba Chaddha) wanted to deal with manufacturing of Indian perfumes. During one of their bitter quarrels they decide to divorce much to the shock of their working son ( Pavail Gulati) who tries his best to persuade them to change their mind.

This then is the plot of a "grey divorce " in the making which is novel for Indian audiences no doubt but the final product doesn't come out so well. One gets the feeling that in better hands ( read writer/director) the movie could have turned out much better given that they have talented and versatile actors at their disposal.

Presently everything about the movie from script, direction to acting is average at best. The movie refuses to rise above that and connect with the audience despite a relatable premise. There is no intensity in the emotional scenes which remain superficial most of the time. The subplots are distracting too. Both Ashutosh and Sheeba have given many better performances earlier but here they do not impress. Pavail Gulati and his romantic interest Isha Talwar have done better comparitively.

Kaushalji Vs Kaushal (2025) : Movie Review -

Kaushalji Vs Kaushal explores the theme of two generations fighting over the meaning of love and relationships. The younger generation believes in moving on, while the older one follows the traditional definition of love; however, soon after, things turn in the reverse direction. The young generation is now submitting to the old traditions of "keeping together," while the older generation wants to "move on." Though predictable and unnecessarily dramatic, Kaushalji Vs Kaushal has enough warmth to make you feel cozy for half an hour or so, while the other one and a half hours remain cold enough to be skipped.

Yug (Pavail Gulati) belongs to the younger generation, who are more interested in Wi-Fi connections than family connections. He works as a copywriter for an ad agency and admires his boss's premium lifestyle. He falls in love with Kiara (Isha Talwar), who believes in "true love" and desires to marry into a happy family. A few days ago, Yug had that "happy family," but after his modern lecture on "we move on," his father and mother decided to get separated. Mr. Kaushal (Ashutosh Rana) and Mrs. Kaushal (Sheeba Chaddha) file for divorce after 27 years of marriage, restricting Yug's marriage to Kiara. How will this battle of relationships end?

The film tackles a dated subject, to be frank, and that's why it lacks much novelty. Recently, a Malayalam film "#Home" shed light on the same issue of the younger generation shaming the previous one, but in the end, it's the current generation that is humiliated. Kaushalji Vs Kaushal features some explosive moments between veterans like Ashutosh Sir and Sheeba Ma'am, and it was quite a surprise to me that the film actually put them front and center to lead the comedy. They both share some absolutely chaotic and funny conversations through situational moments that left me giggling, and I even fell on the floor for a moment or two. The film peaks with these two but then falters with some trivial problems of the younger generation. The narrative tries to force itself into the format of this younger generation when there was no need at all. The film looked so good with the husband and wife's issues; why must it circle around and then shift to the son's marriage? Like the judge said, "Usne exam hi nahi diya toh usse result kaise pata hoga?" It was such a basic thought, but the writers disregarded it and spoiled the natural flow with their useless urban issues.

Ashutosh Rana's Qawwali scenes are "over the top," but the rest of the show is a "blockbuster." I haven't seen this man enjoy his screen presence and his character's humor so much in recent times. The same applies to Sheeba Chadha, who was a riot. I could relate to them and every moment of the arguments they shared because I see my own parents fighting with each other like this daily. This is the film's biggest strength. I just wish that the film had continued with this strength because the young brigade, or that portion and their conflicts, appear so silly and lifeless. Pavail's character is so clueless, though he has done a decent job. Isha Talwar is another character who doesn't logically fit into the frame, but she looks absolutely beautiful. Brijendra Kala and Grusha Kapoor were like those two concrete pillars that you can't shake, and even Deeksha Joshi was fairly watchable in her role.

I may have many complaints about the screenplay, but I freely admit that the film had some moments that truly moved me and brought soft tears to my eyes. The cinematography and color grading made it look like an outdated product, as if it were created to be dumped on an OTT platform. The music doesn't support the narrative, even though there was so much scope for it, and the production design is pretty average too. Seema Desai's vision may be dated and old, but some things are best enjoyed in an "old format." "Old is Gold," they say, right? It's true. Kaushalji vs. Kaushal will make you feel that phrase again, but only for a while. I wish this sweet family dish weren't half-baked; it might have turned out to be so delicious.

RATING - 5/10*

A must, must, must-watch movie.

Movies like this have become rare nowadays.

In today's fast-paced, practical world, where quickly adopting western culture and thought processes have become necessity. It's truly refreshing to see a film that highlights family values, the importance of relationships, and the beauty of the "let go" mindset. This is a real gem.

After such a long time, I watched a movie that gave me goosebumps not from violence, cruelty, or betrayal, but from powerful dialogues and raw, real emotions.

No one is dying, no one is cheating or murdering for personal gain. It's just pure, authentic emotional depth and restraint.

I'm not sure if I'm expressing myself clearly or if you're truly feeling what I'm trying to convey but I sincerely believe that society needs more stories like this.

A big thank you to the team for bringing this to the public🙏🏻

Review Kaushaljis Vs Kaushal Today, I watched Kaushaljis Vs Kaushal on Jio Hotstar.

A must watch Film by Seema Desai with brilliant performance by Ashutosh Rana & Shiba supported by Pavail Gulati & others. Every artist has given their best.

Director Seema Desai must be credited for handling such a sensitive subject with both humor and emotionally . She skillfully explores the differences between generations, highlighting the contrast between the modern sensibilities of the era and the traditional worldview of parents.

At the centre of the film are Sahil and Sangeeta, played by Ashutosh Rana and Sheeba Chaddha, whose performances as a long-married couple on the verge of separation offer an honest and refreshing look at the emotional realities of relationships as time passes.

Their nuanced portrayals bring out the unspoken grievances and growing isolation that many couples experience in their later years together.

This film is not a typical family drama, this is sensitive heartfelt storytelling of Indian middle class relatable of two generations. Enjoy a good movie.