Director: Luv Ranjan. Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shradha Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia and Boney Kapoor.
Music: Primam. Photography: Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran.
IANS Rating: **1/2
Luv Ranjan, who has often been accused of being misogynistic because almost all of his female characters (‘Pyar Ka Punchnama’ 1 and 2; ‘Aakashvani’; ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’ and ‘De De Pyar De’) are consistent, but mostly negative. The women in his films have been manipulative and the men have suffered at their hands.
With her latest rom-com, “Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar,” Luv Ranjan seems to be on a catch-up path, as this time around her female lead is totally independent, modern and carefree but with a solid sense of commitment. For a change, it’s the male lead who is a bit snotty and a bit unscrupulous. Now, coming from Luv Ranjan, this story is definitely a complete turnaround!
Mickey (Kapoor) lives a lavish life that his parents (Boney Kapoor, in his first screen appearance, and Dimple Kapadia) with their multiple business interests (automobiles, jewelry, etc.) have provided for him.
Her constant companion is her childhood friend Anubhav Singh Bassi, who is dealing with commitment phobia just before her engagement. The two also make money by being expert problem solvers and handling “breakups” between young couples who are dating but have relationship issues.
Mickey falls in love with Tinny (Shradha Kapoor) at first sight and swears her eternal love. What ensues is utter madness when Mickey, seen as an actor who specializes in romantic affairs, finds Tinny irresistible and engages her in a battle of wits.
He talks nineteen to the dozen, forcing her to start liking him too. Soon, the two become very close with each other and further cement their bond by sleeping with each other under the assumption that sooner or later they would make their association official.
When Mickey’s parents get to know her, they immediately decide to celebrate, much to Tinny’s amazement. It is not only the speed of events that surprises her, she is impressed and overwhelmed by so much love and interference in her private life. Micky’s family begins to decide on all the arrangements to be made on his behalf and even suggests that he quit his job and join the family business. This leaves her exhausted.
Tinny dials the breaking service number and ends up calling Micky and her team for help. Unbeknownst to who the caller is, Mickey starts offering his golden advice for a large sum of money of course. What follows is not funny, but much more complicated as the date of their engagement ceremony is confirmed, and the two also make all the necessary arrangements.
The 164-minute film has nothing concrete in terms of story development and the first half is all about Mickey showing off his charm and trying every trick in the book to impress Tinny. In a storyline that expects him to talk about the hind legs of a donkey, he’s perfectly cast as the suitor. A natural performer, he also looks great and easily gets into character.
Shradha, on the other hand, isn’t the knockout beauty she’s supposed to be, although her bikini-clad body is quite sexy. Their on-screen chemistry sometimes sizzles and falls flat the next moment when the two seem to be trying too hard. What clearly favors the thin storyline are the fast-paced events that leave little room for respite.
But the film defies logic – not that we’re looking for it – and focuses too much on nonsense that reminds us of the drama of the 1970s in films where two people, failing to identify the caller, could be easily fooled. . And to think that there’s so much drama going on could be so exhausting, it forces you to struggle to stay firmly seated.
If Ranjan’s motive is to win back not only feminists, but also other moviegoers who hated his one-sided portrayal of the so-called modern young woman as a “chaloo gold digger” or fickle infidel at all costs and call the blows, he manages to reverse the roles this time.
Towards the end, the jaded film drops its romantic overtones and turns into a family drama with the protagonist affirming his undying love for his parents, grandmother, sister, and all other family members.
The woman too, after being independent of spirit and displaying her free and liberated, empowered and self-regulated spirit, changed her mind – after all, she is an Indian woman. And when she hastens to sleep with a man, it is better to remain devoted to him and not to pass for too progressive here!
Veteran Dimple Kapadia screams all the time and should have been used better. Her on-screen husband, Boney Kapoor, making his screen debut, is almost non-existent and mostly blends into the background.
Without Ranbir Kapoor, most jokes would have been tiresome and fell flat. It’s his spontaneity and ability to play effortlessly that captivates audiences. If only there was substance and material to play with!
What also works for the film is Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran’s brilliant camerawork and Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics and tapping numbers in Arijit Singh’s velvety voice set to music by Pritam.