Romance blossoms in the Indian heartland
HUMPTY SHARMA KI DULHANIA
(7/10)
WHEN this movie was announced last year, the first thing to create a huge buzz was the unusual title, which producer Karan Johar changed from Humpty Sharma Ki Love Story to Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.
The title created more excitement when Johar’s protégés, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, were signed to the lead roles.
Directed by newcomer Shashank Kaitaan, the movie, which is obviously inspired by the timeless romance Dilwale Dulhania
Le Jayenge, is a quirky and sweet long story set in the Indian heartland.
Humpty Sharma (Dhawan) is the mischievous brat who falls in love with the fiery Kavya (Bhatt), who arrives in New Delhi for a friend’s wedding and to shop for her own designer wedding garment.
They strike an immediate friendship that blossoms into a romance.
However, Kavya has to return home to her dominating father and impending marriage.
The rest of the story is easily predictable, but there are a few moments that make an enjoyable diversion, cementing Kaitaan as a filmmaker of note.
Under the guidance of Johar, they should deliver entertaining cinema. Dhawan and Bhatt deliver dazzling performances as they easily seduce the audience into being part of their romance.
Dhawan as the simpleton with his heart on his sleeve slips into his role with charm and proves yet again that he is a rising star of note. The actor, however, has to tread carefully to avoid being typecast.
Bhatt yet again works her magic with a great performance coupled with her drop-dead beauty.
It is, however, their sizzling chemistry that is among the many highlights in the movie.
Bhatt is cheeky and vicious and Dhawan is the chocolate-boy hero who melts when he falls in love. Together they make an endearing couple.
The supporting cast are equally enjoyable, with Ashutosh Rana topping the list. Music wise, you cannot help but enjoy the fast tempo of Saturday Saturday and Lucky Tu.
The movie may not be in the same league as the classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, but there are many beautifully crafted moments in this modern-day adaptation.