Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Rocky Aur Rani is another addition to the gallery of Dharma films with cringe and wordy titles. Karan Johar is famous for making unapologetically formulaic potboilers with larger than life settings, unrealistic tropes, humour banking on audience's stereotypical and/or prejudiced mentality, scintillating chemistry, great soundtrack and score, extremely convenient resolutions and a buttload of melodrama. Rocky-Rani, however, does two things differently. It underwhelms on the music front and it ditches punchbag character-oriented humour for more progressive comedy.

The movie is filled with pop culture references, many of which were self-eulogising and relied on the feedback loop of celebrity culture whose torchbearer is Karan Johar himself. It also takes up certain plots that could potentially contradict each other and then dissolves them conveniently for the benefit of the main storyline that revolves around the lead pair. Half of the film's budget seems to have been spent on obtaining licenses to the many, many popular Bollywood numbers it used to set up the chemistry between its lead pair - something its average original soundtrack probably wouldn't have managed.

You walk into a Karan Johar film expecting all of this but where this film surprises is in its tonality. The movie feels like an Ayushmann Khurrana social comedy set in Karan Johar cinematic universe. You have a relatable, spoilt but receptive "raja beta" as the lead who falls in love with someone who transforms him into a progressive man. The main conflict then revolves around this man transforming the rest the regressive characters into doing better and the resolution is always acceptance and togetherness. Of course all of this involves extremely wealthy characters whose jobs turn demanding and non-demanding as per the plot's need. You even have a monologue or two by the leading man but Karan is calculative enough to know how much he should challenge this post-pandemic cinemagoing audience so he villainises the woman by making her impulsive at one point. He also chooses to dedicate one monologue to victimisation of the leading man who has been trying to change but the cancel culture would simply not let him catch a break!!! It almost felt like Karan was directly talking to those in the audience who have cancelled him for problematic tropes in his past films.

The film almost tips in the favour of the Bengalis in this ultra rich person's Vicky Donor but tries to add nuance to show it's not biased against Punjabis or views all Bengalis as progressive. You have good and bad on both sides. Its resolution positively surprises when it holds back from going completely Disney on you. It acknowledges incorrigibility in some people while also discussing (in its contrived Johari manner) the root cause behind it.

The performances deserve a special mention. You have incredible supporting cast from Jaya Bacchan to Shabana Azmi to Dharmendra. The leading pair too did well - specially Alia whose ethereal beauty and captivating screen presence was a character in itself.

Overall, the film makes for a fantastic one-time watch that stays with you for a couple of hours after viewing. You can watch it with your friends and family.

No story, same rehashed songs, dumb and shallow writing. Did not enjoy this movie at all.

This movie is everything Indian cinema needs to move away from. I really suggest karan produce movies from upcoming directors to understand how the industry needs to move on and grow.

For Ranveer, bro you need to say no to these roles. You are selling yourself short. You have immense talent and the goofy characters you've done so far need to end.

Overall the movie was an attempt to try and make the same thing again which Karan has been doing lately. Please give us better stories and writing, look around, the industry has grown a lot.

Very boring move please don't waste your time I don't expect this kind of movie Karan Johar making completely time wasted. Stupid actor and he's bakwas acting. I feel like this movie only made for girls because of ranabeer Kapoor bakwas acting. Even one dialog from this movie don't remember and what kind of songs they sing every time playing song kabhi nai jao chhorr kar dil abhi bhara nai. Lagta he who song main puri life play nai karunga. I request this stupid flim maker Karan Johar please don't make like this movie and don't waste people's money and time. Aliya's acting was just look average.

I wasn't sure if I am watching a movie or a spoof.

Dharmendra has been turned into such a caricature, that it is plain disrespect for the veteran.

Lot of yawn tears. Like those college lectures where you sit through as you don't have the guts to walk out.

The money that is thrown into each of the scenes is dizzying. About as dizzying as the melodrama spurts.

Alia Bhatt and Ranvir Kapoor have both excelled in whatever they have been asked to do. Humor has worked out.

Karan Johar is not being sloppy at how he made the movie. He is saying this is all you guys need. I am the king of bollywood - I decide what you get to watch, and looks like he has very little respect for the audience by the prolific amount of crass he laid.

There is a scene with serious emotional drama, and Dharmendra needs to be taken to the doctor. Ranvir cries n..u..r...se loudly, and runs in athletic slow motion in his kathak dance attire.

Painful watch. Wouldn't recommend to anyone.

The movie is OK for one time watch.

Nothing overwhelming or spectacular.

It's just another Karan Johar's big Fat drama.

People are tired of such stories.

Actors have tried to do justice withe their role but alone they can't make up for sinking script.

Bollywood needs to step up from their typical stereotype and start scripting something unique.

Karan Johar needs to get out of his mindset of thinking that viewers would accept everything that he serves and should start thinking in new lines and search for uniqueness.

Songs are pretty average.

They tried very hard to make Jhumka songs trend but that too failed.