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A lighter, gauzier version of 1995’s “Diwale Dulhania le Jayenge” starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
Why the title, so informed by irrevocable breakage, is a mystery; “Humpty” is an indestructible entity when it comes to his choice of a “bride”. Here is delightful romantic comedy blessed by two of Bollywood’s youthful, dynamic film forces. Alia Bhatt is formidable as “Kavya”: feisty, independent, willing to go through with an “arranged marriage” until she meets “Humpty” (Varun Dhawan) while shopping for a wedding dress in Delhi.
The journey to the ceremony of Vivah- Sanskar (Hindu marriage) is a musical romp of summits, costume changes and gullies for the destined lovers; surprising for Bollywood, but heralding a new age, is the intimacy, established between Kavya and Humpty; there is no shame and does not ordain a permanent partnership, a refreshing break from the restricted, closeted dictates of India’s stringent censors.
Supporting actors Ashutosh Rana and Siddharth Shulka as Kavya’s father and intended lend diverse and interesting interpretations of a controlling father wanting the best for his daughter, and a traditional Indian man, flawlessly adhering to tradition. Comic relief is appropriately contributed by Humpty’s musketeers, Sahil Vaid (“Poplu”) and Jimmy Varyani (“Bahnu”).
It is twenty-one- year- old Alia Bhatt and her intelligent depiction of a young woman willing to go the distance for the man of her choosing that prevents the film from sliding into silliness (a constant detriment in Bollywood comedies); she slavishly avoids mimicking, ogling, flirting with the camera; fiercely allowing the nature of the character to evolve, lending admirable success to this version of a Bollywood classic.
THREE STARS!!!
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