Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Review Rating: 4 Stars
Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Kshitee Jog, Abhinav Sharma, Anjali Anand, Aamir Bashir
Director: Karan Johar
What’s Good: N/A
What’s Bad: N/A
Loo Break: N/A
Watch or Not?: If you think that Bollywood is losing its original identity by copying ideas from other industries. Then, you go to the theatres! Watch this movie.
Language: Hindi
Available On: In Theatres Near You.
Runtime: 170 minutes.
Budget: ₹ 168 Crore
User Rating:
Story: ★★★☆☆
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a story about the clash between two contrasting Indian families – the powerful Punjabi ‘Randhawa’ from ‘Crazy Rich Indians’ and the refined Bengali ‘Chatterjee’. However, it’s not Rocky (played by Ranveer Singh) and Rani (played by Alia Bhatt) who fall in love with each other to give birth to this emotional and entertaining battle between the two groups; it’s their grandparents.
Yes, a significant subplot made me think of the movie “Golmaal 3,” but soon Karan Johar added his twists and turns to shape it into Rocky and Rani’s ‘love story.’ After a ‘switch,’ they decide to live with each other’s families for some time to figure out if they can adjust after marriage. What happens next becomes the main premise of the film.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Review: Script Analysis
In summary, the film “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” is a colorful tale about the clash between two contrasting Indian families – the powerful Punjabi ‘Randhawa’ and the refined Bengali ‘Chatterjee.’ However, the real love story isn’t between Rocky and Rani, played by Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, but rather between their grandparents.
The film is a mix of three distinct narratives, with Shashank Khaitan (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania), Sumit Roy (Ghajini), and Ishita Moitra (For More Shots Please, Anpaojcd) contributing to the screenplay and story. The first half is filled with fun and emotions, while the pace slows down a bit in the second half. However, Karan Johar doesn’t hold back from trying everything and anything to deliver some high moments.
With exceptional cinematography by Manush Nandan, KJo successfully keeps the film engaging on a grand scale. He surprises the audience with unusual lines or actions that break the emotional scenes and work wonderfully. It’s something that Rajkumar Hirani has excelled in for years, and witnessing KJo attempt the same with his quirky ideas is astonishing. While the film could have been slightly shorter, packing so much stuff into it makes it a delightful watch for Hindi cinema lovers.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Review: Cast
Ranveer Singh’s most vibrant performance to date. He embodies everything one would expect from a character in a Karan Johar film. He’ll make you say, “Hello, baby, this side Rocky Randhawa!” Whether he’s playing a quirky ‘skuzi’ or delivering emotionally charged dysfunctional family monologues, Ranveer excels in every aspect, proving that there are no limits to his talent.
Alia Bhatt’s honest portrayal complements all the madness that surrounds her character. She effortlessly matches Ranveer’s crazy antics in the film. Though her character gets trapped in some melodramatic sections of the script, the overall balance keeps it on track.
The film heavily relies on Dharmendra’s presence throughout, and he arrives at a point where you might shed a tear for crazy Rocky and feel that nobody else could have played it better than Dharm Ji. Shabana Azmi’s track is emotionally satisfying and slightly prolonged in parts, but the script maintains a good balance.
Karan Johar proves how smart he is, not just as a director but also as a film producer writing characters. He not only uses Jaya Bachchan’s social-media persona to deliver a memorable Dhanlakshmi’s character but also connects it personally for many viewers. Shri Mataji’s appearance is a reminder of her social-media character.
After a few unsuccessful attempts, I’m glad that Bollywood remembers Tota Roy Chowdhury (Rani’s father) with a memorable role. It might not be as profound as his work in Bengali films, but it’s still impactful and relatable to many. His character says, “There’s no gender for talent!” and you’ll be delighted as if you know him personally.
Kshitee Jog gets a redeeming arc as Rocky’s mother despite a shaky start. Abhinav Sharma shines as Rocky’s goofy friend, adding that distinct KJo-film camaraderie but is absent in some emotional scenes. Anjali Anand as Rocky’s sister and Aamir Bashir as Rocky’s father deliver decent performances in line with the script’s style.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Review: Direction, Music
As far as I can count, Karan Johar has used references from over 20 classic Bollywood films through songs and dialogues, skillfully woven into the screenplay. The second half features an unimaginable sequence with stars and moons in a beautiful setting, designed to propose to Rani. It reminded me of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ and I can’t stop laughing. It couldn’t get any more entertaining, and I don’t find a place in my review to fit the above feedback, but I’m putting it here, even though I know it doesn’t fit, but oh well, review rules.
I never thought that in a Karan Johar-directed film, Pritam would have the weakest links. There was no room for mediocrity in it for him. The songs are better placed in the film, but my inner hardcore Pritam-da wanted a track that would forever stay on my playlist. It feels like all the songs were made only for his hook line, and nothing else really works in any of them. Even the signature song “Tum Kya Mile” doesn’t reach the level of Pritam-Amitabh Bhattacharya-Karan Johar collaboration.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Review: Last Word
In Last Word, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a must-watch Bollywood family drama with a unique twist. Ranveer Singh’s exceptional performance, Karan Johar’s eccentric style, and the delightful chemistry between the lead actors make the film a captivating and entertaining experience. While some songs could have been more memorable and the runtime slightly shorter, the overall movie delivers a fresh and engaging narrative with nods to classic Bollywood films. It is a heartwarming and enjoyable watch for all Bollywood enthusiasts, offering a perfect blend of romance, drama, and entertainment.
★★★★☆
4 out of 5 Stars!
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Trailer
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani releases on 28 July 2023.
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