by Hasan Kazmi
Bollywood’s latest offering Badhaai Ho is a wholehearted attempt to break a social taboo. Set in a lower middle-class area of Delhi, Badhaai Ho is a story of a middle-aged couple with two sons, one of whom is working in a company, while the other is in high school. The couple gets pregnant and suddenly the entire family, especially the boys start feeling immensely embarrassed.
Badhaai Ho stands out as it boldly tells the audience that romance has no age restrictions.
The situational comedy of Badhaai Ho is near perfect with some great performances by Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta and Ayushmann Khurrana.
Khurrana who is known for his unconventional roles in films like Vicky Donor and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan has alot more to offer in Badhaai Ho. His portrayal of a son who is under enormous social pressure is relatable, and his relationship with his girlfriend, Reene (Sanya Malhotra) is brilliantly portrayed as the film progresses.
The entire cast gives brilliant performances, especially the ones playing the traditional characters of mother and father. Such actors usually do not usually enough screen play, however, Amit Ravindernath Sharma’s attempt to keep senior actors like Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta in the limelight is commendable. Neena’s depiction of a upset mother is interesting, which Rao steals the show in every scene he is part of.
Sanya Malhotra’s role [as Khurrana’s girlfriend] doesn’t have much to offer but it is worth mentioning that her contribution to Ayushman’s character is admirable. The Dadi, played by Surekha Sikri, adds value to the story in several tense moments.
Badhaai Ho starts and ends on a humourous note with some emotional and tense moments beautifully weaved. Moreso, the songs like Yeh Kya Hua and Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Mann Mera, depict the emotions onscreen wonderfully.
The only problem with the story is that it lacks surprises as the plot was revealed in the trailer itself.
It is worth mentioning that a few years ago, Pakistani drama series Azar Ki Ayegi Barat had a similar storyline as it showed a couple, played by Javed Sheikh and Saba Hameed, who already had a grandchild, unexpectedly get pregnant. The similarity of the story makes one feel that this is one of the rare occasions when the influence of the entertainment industry is reversed.
Star Rating 3.5