La mariée d'Humpty Sharma

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...

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.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, popularly known as DDLJ has been one of the biggest cult hits of Bollywood and an epic love story. What had made that famous Yash Raj movie tick was that it had the youthful element of adventurous love despite the fact that the girl is about to be married to a boy of her father's choice. And then, the lover boy goes all out to win over her parents and gets the girl.

Karan Johar has attempted to re-create the same magic by making a largely DDLJ inspired film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. It has oodles of romance, comedy and a bit of beating and getting beaten up plus a couple of likable songs. But, will this film make it as big as DDLJ? I don't think so. Partly due to short shelf life of films and partly due to generation change from the days of Bollywood style true love!

The film opens with an introduction to its lead characters. Rakesh 'Humpty' Sharma (Varun Dhawan) is a happy go lucky young man brought up by his equally chilled out father (Kenny Desai) who runs a bookstore in Delhi. Kavya Pratap Singh (Alia Bhatt) is girl from Ambala engaged to an NRI chosen by her authoritarian dad (Ashutosh Rana). Patriarch Singh detests love marriage after the failure of his first daughter's choice and wants the whole affair to go on in the way that he deems fit.

Kavya wants her wedding to be a grand affair. After noticing that her friend in Delhi, Gurpreet has bought herself a designer lehenga, she demands her family buy one for her too. When denied, Kavya quarrels with her family and goes to Delhi to make enough money to shop a designer. It was here that she meets Humpty and she arranges a deal to get him through a pass mark in his bachelor's degree.

For Humpty, he has fallen for the pretty, feisty and smart girl and chases her despite knowing that she is about to get married in a month and a half. But as is the case in all romance flicks, Kavya falls for Humpty after he helps Gurpreet with a problem and then delivers upon his promise to buy her a lehenga (although the latter seemed extremely contrived). Although Kavya heads back to Ambala to go on with the wedding plans, Humpty chases her and vows to win her father's heart.

The story takes a serious turn as Kavya's father and brother turn belligerent towards him. Upon Kavya's insistence, father Singh gives Humpty a chance by putting him on the task of finding at least one fault in the NRI boy Angad (Siddharth Shukla) that he has chosen for his daughter. The rest of the story is filled with humor as Humpty and his two friends go all out; plus the essential ingredient, emotional scenes.

While the plot is decent, the ending of Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania has far less impact than the epic scene of DDLJ where Shah Rukh Khan is on the train awaiting Amrish Puri to release his grip on Kajol and the latter running in all her bridal finery to board the train. Who can ever forget that scene!

This is just her third movie and Alia hasn't put a foot wrong, either in her choice of movies or performance. She has played a college kid, a soul searching sojourner and now a feisty bride with aplomb. Notwithstanding the dumb Alia jokes on the internet, the numero uno slot in Bollywood is just a matter of time for the actress who can carry off innocence and attitude perfectly well.

Varun Dhawan's character is not that of a typical macho hero, but a regular guy who wears his heart on his sleeve who falls in love with the girl. Siddharth Shukla, a popular face on TV makes his film debut. However, his role hardly has much scope. One of the most noteworthy performances is that of the acclaimed actor Ashutosh Rana as the stern father. He fits well into the Bollywood baddies hall of fame.

Verdict: When compared, there is no chance that débutante director Shashank Khaitan can manage what a débutante Aditya Chopra did 19 years ago. On a stand-alone basis, Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania is an enjoyable film and it's a choice you won't regret. The song 'Samjhawaan' is very likable too. You can watch it with your family, laugh at the jokes and yes, believe in the power of love!

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (U/A) Hindi Velaiyilla Pattathari (U) TAMIL Sathuranga Vettai (U) TAMIL, New movie Reviews and lots more Hot news .... LIKE THIS PAGE : English Hindi TAMIL TELUGU Facebook : Movie Review by Yunus Irshad https://www.facebook.com/YunusIrshadsMovieReview

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (U/A) Hindi ------- my Rating : ★★★ LIGHT HEART ROMANCE

STRENGTHS :- * Costume Designer : was excellent ...... * Samjhawaan Song : beautiful vocals by Arjit singh and shreya ghosal * Alia Bhatt: looks damn hot ....she steals the show .....

WEAKNESSES :- * Screenplay : a 2 hrs movie drags to 3 hrs flick..... * Incomplete in the climax: Missing of the America doctor .....

FINAL VERDICT :- * Overall.... movie was a feel good one time watch romantic family entertainer with simple concept....

When Kavya Pratap Singh, a chirpy, yet fiesty girl from Ambala, decides to make a trip to Delhi for her marriage shopping... See full synopsis »

Director: Shashank Khaitan Writer: Shashank Khaitan Stars: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Ashutosh Rana | See full cast and crew »