Badrinath Ki Dulhania

Badrinath Ki Dulhania is the first Bollywood movie I went and watched at the Cinema's! It was definitely worth it.

A great movie, made me laugh, cry and think. I was looking forward to seeing this movie since watching Humpty Ki Sharma late last year. While Humpty is great in it's own way, Badrinath is more mature so expectations were definitely met.

The chemistry between Alia-Varun remain in tact and one of the core reasons for my purchasing the tickets. The script is fairly well written, the leads delivered the lines perfectly, the scenes, the long and close-up shots were done extremely well & at the right time. I especially liked the depth of anger and hurt displayed on Badrinath's face (you'll see it, red eyes and all), Varun is exceptional and camera works truly captured this using close-ups. Vaidehi's character, I didn't understand until towards the end, specifically, on the rooftop of a building in Singapore, Alia's delivery of one line, helped me to understand her character ... in turn, Badri's reaction is equally great. I was bouncing between who is right

The flaws that I saw in the movie, I think the timing of my favorite song 'humsafar' was wrong, it played too early ...for me, anyway, and Badri's father delivered very few lines and yet he had the most power over his family ..I think the actor that played Badri's father didn't do the best job - sorry! But very true!

I would definitely recommend this movie!! India is gorgeous, this movie shows that, also, loved that I heard 'samajhawan' music in one scene... best chemistry, Varun has a killer smile and Alia looked gorgeous- I think this is the most girly I have seen her! Can't wait for their next movie together.

Here's to the Vaidehis and Badrinaths of the world :)

Shashank Khaitan is here with the second installment of "Dulhaniya" franchise: "Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya"

So, what did we expect from the film? We expected a romantic comedy with several melodramatic moments, foot tapping music in beautiful locations with meticulous dance sequences, the charming chemistry between the lead actors and finally the bride goes with the groom.

We all know what are we going to see, it has everything mentioned above however, it delivers something new, it integrates social issues like dowry, objectification of women, equal rights with subtle humor. It successfully culminates a path for feminism in the most authentic way and delivers a good social message.

On the other hand, it is your usual romantic comedy set in Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), Kota (Rajasthan) and Singapore. However, it fails to showcase the rural locales and milieus, the weddings are profligate and sets are luxurious, we can comprehend that it was produced by Karan Johar.

Shashank has done a fantastic job in direction, the characters are embodied by the lead actors, even Varun managed to pull off some emotional sequences, Alia is effortless and Sahil Vaid is on top form.

The film works perfectly in the first half, however; it loses the narrative flair in the second half as the film drags. The cinematography is brilliant but the editing in the second half could have been crisper.

Overall, it is a lovely movie filled with light-heart humor, good dialogues, amazing performances and a punch on relevant social stigmas.

Shashank Khaitan reprized Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge concept second time with some message for audience. Women empowerment, Dowry and Self confidence were good ingredient of this script. Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan on screen chemistry set fire in the romantic comedy. Some great performance from Makdee fame Shweta Basu Prasad , Sahil Vaid and Yash Sinha. Music was good especially "Tamma Tamma Again" brilliantly recreated.Dialogues were full of punches and full of laughter. However script need some improvement in the second half. Repeated use of Oxygen gas cylinder was bad choice. Roadies and IGT style selection for groom brought smile on the face of audience.

This is well made family entertainer. Story is good and there is social message. Comedy and romance are mixed very well. Both Varun and Alia impress with talent and are nice to watch. After a long time, this is a movie to the liking of my wife and her marks for this movie are 10/10. While other family members overall liked it with some reservation about second half. Your money will not be wasted if you want to pass time by watching this movie with family. Songs are good and are well choreographed. Story moves between Jhansi famous for Rani Lakshmibai a courageous woman. Supporting actors have done their role very well particularly that of side kick of our hero.

Let me give you all the reasons why this movie is what our country needs:

1) It targets how parents manipulate children with their health when it works to their convenience. 2) It shows how some children have to sacrifice their love to please their blind parents. 3) It rejects dowry. 4) It shows how we must oppose superstitions, and stand up for what is right. 5) It shows how talented women are, and how far women can go when given a chance. 6) It shows that a 10th pass man can change, and reason, so why can well educated people? 7) It shows that authoritative male figures must be questioned. Because age cannot give anyone a license to do wrong. 8) Varun proudly says Jhansi was not named after the great things done by a Raja, but by a Rani -Rani Jhansi. 9) Sure there are scenes of stalking, but he accepts that he was wrong. And the bigger message is of CHANGE! 10) This movie is one of the best movies of 2017. Anyone capable of reasoning and thinking, will look beyond and see the larger message.

We are all intelligent beings. Sometimes we make mistakes. But what important is our ability to CHANGE.

Anyone who uses words like misogynist, anti feminist, regressive to describe this movie, needs the latest dictionary, because clearly the definitions they believe are skewed.