Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania

While the film did pay modern homage to the classic DDLJ and have decent lead actors (Dhawan & Bhatt) with great chemistry, the film falls short for me with its unnecessary homophobic jokes and overload toxic masculinity. Director and writer Shashank Khaitan did manage to drop in that being gay is okay, but it shouldn't be there in the first place. It was tacky and reflects a poor writing. I don't understand why most Karan Johar's production have these kind of homophobic running gags (Student of the year, Dostana) with their brainless approach? He is gay himself and could did a better writing than being sleazy. The toxic masculinity also feels old if you watch it seven years from now, although I must say they balanced it with making fun of how Indian men are lazy in household duties compared to the NRI. The songs are fabulous and I really like Alia Bhatt's Kavya character: pretty badass and sassy.

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania has a "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" (DDLJ) Hangover. Well no this isn't the Bradley Cooper infused - "Now I am gonna enjoy this for the next two hours" kind of Hangover. But rather the kind that causes headaches and makes you hate yourself for throwing up - not just your money, but also time, that you could have surely spent elsewhere.

The story goes like this - wait - there was a story? Well yes there was one you see! Someone watched DDLJ. Convinced Karan Johar that now is the time to milk DDLJ, and irrespective of the daring "Neil and Nikki" vanishing off without a trace, Karan actually agreed to fund this! The film, to give credit where its due, has totally done away with logic - thus saving us some more pain in trying to link the sequences happening purposelessly in scene after scene. Sample this - a drunk girl decides to stay back with 3 drunk men she hardly knows in a commercial establishment, claiming that its late at night and risky outside. Now that's what I call logic empowerment! Wait! There is more! Amateurs shoot videos of lovers having sex, blackmail them for money (after all, one is an unhappily married MILF and the other young enough to be her son), and actually end up committing the perfect crime! If that isn't innovation at its best, I don't know what is!

Wait - wondering where DDLJ comes into play? Here it goes - This film you see is essentially about the heroine - Alia Bhatt falling for a random stranger even after having her marriage fixed with someone she regularly interacts with on Skype. Of course all men she Skypes with look hot, can you blame her for not being sure about this one? And yes, she needs to buy a Designer Ghagra, and save a dear friend from getting blackmailed, and earn some fast money, and evaluate some exam papers, and be a good Samaritan to a man who always dreamed of buying a car, and look fresh, and dance at weddings, and pout, and effortlessly say some dialogs that were surely written with least effort, and basically do a lot of unnecessary running around in between.

Still wondering how it is inspired by DDLJ? Don't worry! There is of course an interval, post which the hero - Varun Dhawan tries winning the heroine DDLJ style even as a 'gabru jawaan' - Siddharth Shukla - the only character who actually stays in character and has a semblance of logic - plays a spoilsport by being perfect in every way possible.

The only thing that works for the film is possibly the song "Saturday Saturday" - which has the power of actually eclipsing the impact of the William Pharrell Song "Happy", for the moment it comes on screen, you realize that the film is at last over and believe me! Nothing will make you happier!

P.S: There is a scene in the film where Varun breaks down inconsolably upon reading a message on his phone; and the audience breaks down in an attempt at controlling their laughter. I am not sure whether Varun had managed to glimpse the fate of this film while shooting that scene. 3 out of 10 stars from me, for the technicians who added the required sheen, for the song 'Samjhawan' and for Siddharth Shukla who did not let go of an opportunity of showcasing his skills. But I so wish Alia had chosen better...

HUPTY SHARMA KI DULHANIA is a typical Dharma Productions movie. Fat Indian weddings, mehenga designer lehengas, meaningless interrupting songs and a lot, A LOT, of melodrama.

Eight minutes into the film and we have seen a boy selling question papers for kisses from girls and the female lead convincing her Dad to buy a lehenga on a dining table from which her divorced sister gets up and leaves because she chose a wrong man for herself. The guy who goes around flirting and kissing girls becomes emotional at a tragic DDLJ scene and feels guilty on a traditional lecture given by the female lead.The whole group and the father of the boy start making contributions for a completely strange girl.The love that was in the form of a bud until late, without any further development shows an intense bed scene. I mean, how can we not have a bed scene, it has been one full hour!

The minor amount of logic they were making in the first half goes on decreasing exponentially in the second hour. The climax is unbelievably stupid. There is no spoiler in this film, we have seen it all in Dilwaale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and all such Blockbusters.

Varun Dhawan famous for his flawed imitation of loud actors like Govinda was heavily annoying in the few starting scenes. Alia Bhatt who had been a surprise packet in the last two movies was strictly average in this flick. The supporting cast, however, is pretty strong.

Music is below average. Direction and cinematography needed much more attention. Editor must be fired quickly.

The movie, however illogical and irritating it may be at times, does have it spots of tickles. Despite brutally filled with clichés, the movie has its cheerful moments. The chemistry between the lead pair is warm(if not sizzling).

You may give this movie a miss but you wouldn't be wasting your time much if you have nothing else to do. A generous five-and-a-half-out-of- ten for the rare freshness.

This movie doesn't hide the fact that it's paying a tribute to one of the best bollywood romantic movie ever made. The problem is since the release of DDLJ in 1995, countless movies have done the same. The lack of originality in the movie is pretty evident from the get go. Alia's father is against love marriage because his elder daughter's love marriage didn't work out. Ironically the father, played wonderfully by Ashutosh Rana, himself married love of his life. So it's hard to understand why he'd completely flip on the idea that love can lead to a successful marriage.

Of course despite knowing her father's stance on love, she falls in one with Varun only a few weeks before her arranged marriage to a NRI. So begins Varun's effort to win over the father heart. If DDLJ was never released this movie probably wouldn't have looked so bad. Unfortunately when you know exactly how a movie is going to turn out, it takes away the joy of wonderment.

I love Varun. I think he'll fit in wonderfully playing characters that need a blend of humour and action. Alia despite not being my favourite amongst the rush of newcomers, has potential to play wide range of characters.

I think it's understandable that not all actors and actresses can find movies with unique storyline. This is especially difficult for newcomers who wants to do as many movies as they can to establish themselves in the industry but also wants to do good movies to establish their range and not be a typecast.

Unfortunately unless the producers and directors decide to make good movies, it's the newcomers who'll face the problem of lack of creativity.

After watching Student Of The Year I never thought that Alia will receive all this critical acclaim but Varun was definitely the one to watch out for after his debut. Both of them have proved themselves but was it enough. Lets take a closer look!

I never saw DDLJ as a good movie but thought of it as a no-brainer. But HSKD is a good movie and not a suitable tribute to DDLJ(according to the fans). But according to me HSKD and Shashank Khaitan may succeed in presenting a pretty decent example of today's youth and their (mis)adventures in love. HSKD may not be a classic or a legend but excels in entertaining in some sequences but fails in some.

Varun and Alia are the focus of the film and succeed in making us laugh. Siddarth Shukla is given a rather tiny role which was meant to be the hero cum villain of movie. But supporting actors such as Kenneth Dasai and Sahil Vaid are the ones to watch out from the 'Ladkewalas' whereas Ashutos Rana and Mahnaz Damania do total justice to their roles even after their characters are half-baked. Music is entertaining, screenplay and dialogs are full paisa-vaisool

and tickle your funny bone. But hats off to Shashank Khaitan for all the researching and the sharp direction. Overall, it is a family entertainer that is somewhere between watchable and good.