Film has an interesting idea but is let down by poor execution
WEDDING set stories have been explored in Hindi cinema from every angle across the decades.
New ZEE5 film 14 Phere has attempted to inject a freshness into that genre with an interesting idea of fake parents. Sanjay, who is a Rajput from Jahanabad, is in love with Aditi, a Jat from Jaipur, and both want to get married without hurting their respective families, who are stuck to old-age traditions. Instead of trying to bring the diametrically opposite families together the couple hatch a plan to hire the same actors to play their parents at two separate weddings, with their respective families. The actor’s dress up as one set of parents and then disguise themselves again as a second set when the action shifts from one family to other.
An interesting idea is poorly executed and soon runs out of steam. That is largely due to the questionable messaging and both families not being very likeable, which makes you wonder why the protagonists are trying to make them happy. At a time when everyone, including elders have smartphones, it makes the whole premise of fake parents less than believable. There are some funny moments, but not as many as there perhaps could have been and what largely carries the film is strong performances from some cast members.
Vikrant Massey delivers another memorable turn as he trades in edgy projects that have made his name for something altogether more commercial. Gauahar Khan and Jameel Khan deliver scene-stealing performances as the actors who have been hired. The weak link is Kriti Kharbanda, who looks out of her depth next to such accomplished actors. The music needed to be better, and more layers could have been injected into a film which is problematic on many levels. Watch this with lowered expectations.