Starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as the titular Rocky Radhawa and Rani Chatterjee, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani follows the story of a Punjabi boy from West Delhi and a Bengali girl who ends up falling in love. The film is directed by Karan Johar and produced by Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta under the Dharma Productions banner as well as Viacom18 Studios. The film has been distributed by Viacom18 Productions.
Plot
Rocky Randhawa, a loud flamboyant and romantic Punjabi boy from West Delhi, and Rani Chatterjee, an intelligent Bengali journalist fall in love. However, unlike Karan’s previous films, this is just the beginning of the story. The two then face opposition from their respective families over their different faith and backgrounds. The members include Dhanalakshmi Randhawa (Jaya Bachchan), Jamini Chatterjee (Shabana Azmi), Kanwal Lund (Dharmendra) and Chandon Chatterjee (Tota Roy Chowdhury) among others.
Performances
The film is filled with acting heavyweights and veterans. However, the best thing has to be Ranveer Singh who aces portraying a loud Punjabi character. He started out his career playing a West Delhi guy and has clearly mastered it now. Alia Bhatt, who is always reliable, does not disappoint as a Bong girl. Her character is in sharp contrast with Rocky as she is well-read, politically aware, and talks about women’s safety. When it comes to the senior faces, Jaya Bachchan pulls out a villainous avatar who doesn’t want the love story of Rocky and Rani to end on a beautiful note.
While Dharmendra doesn’t have a lot of scenes, he makes a huge impact in whatever he was given, especially in the emotional moments. Shabana Azmi, the National Award-winning actress, is an interesting casting in this over-the-top world of Karan Johar. But she nails it as Rani’s grandmother. Other actors have also done their part well. Like earlier Karan Johar films in past, there are cameos of Varun Dhawan, Ananya Pandey, Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan.
Analysis
There was a time when Karan’s movies were hailed as masala entertainers, now they are mentioned as guilty pleasures. This film might perpetuate that belief further. Times have drastically changed over the last few years and so has the audience’s tastes. But Karan continues to do what he is good at, tell romantic and larger-than-life stories. On performance and script levels, the film is really good and strikes a chord. Karan is particularly good at capturing emotional moments.
As a director Karan Johar is first grade. Pritam fails to deliver one massive chartbuster though album is still very good one. Shashank Khaitan, Ishita Moitra and Sumit Roy have done a decent job as writers but film lacks something entirely new. Cinematography by Manush Nandan is very good in capturing massive sets and landscape. Nitin Baid’s editing is inconsistent as second half feels too stretched. Amrita Mahal’s production deign is again very over the top at places. Eka Lakhani costume design is perfect.
Just like K3G, this one also suspends the disbelief a bit further. I mean where in West Delhi can we find such a massive bungalow? Also, which journalist has freedom like Rani in today’s time? Apart from these, the film also taps into the stereotypes once again: showing Punjabis as loud and uncivil and Bengalis as sophisticated and intelligent. The Rabindranath Tagore joke seemed very obvious and was honestly a low-hanging fruit. The film’s male hero has also been objectified to the extent of almost being uncomfortable.
Verdict
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani can be a fun watch if you are a Karan Johar fan and are looking for having a good time at the cinemas. Film has the silver lining of performances from almost every cast member and good music. So enjoy it on the big screen with family.
Rating
Critic’s Rating: 3.5/5
Box Office Rating: 3.5/5
Stay tuned for Movie reviews, ott reviews, latest bollywood movie reviews, box office movie reviews.
