Here’s everything about ‘Judwaa 2’ that is NOT funny

‘Family entertainer’. This particular term is growingly popular, especially while discussing Bollywood films. To put it simple, this means there would exist nil sequences of intimacy, skin show or other forms of projections of adultery. Hence, the film in talks qualifies to be watched with your family, along with zero chances of causing any ‘discomfort’ whatsoever.

Regressive depiction of women, promotion of out-dated and imposed gender-specific ideas and sexist remarks, however, do not penalise such films.

As we discuss more and more of such entertainers, it becomes more worrisome as to how the greater mass psychology is in no conflict with the (arguably) objectionable mindset.

The conversation was stirred once more, after Varun Dhawan’s ‘Judwaa 2’, a reboot of Salman Khan’s iconic 1997 comedy ‘Judwaa’ hit the screens. No doubt, it is fairly managing to entertain the audience. But in what sense?

To begin with, let us not take the easy route to escape saying, “let’s not take a commercial comedy seriously”. In fact, since you state that it is a massy watch and hence you acknowledge that such films reach a much wider audience than one ‘Newton’ or one ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ would, it demands more attention in terms of what it preaches.

Hence, the first disturbing splash came as a kid (younger Varun Dhawan), not older than five-six years, dancing while surrounded by a group of women surely his mother’s age, spanked on one’s bum. That was the preface of a Tapori Varun Dhawan (Raja) that we were to be introduced to.

The next addition to the discomfort was past Raja’s encounter with Alishqa (Jacqueline Fernandez) inside an aircraft. Thanks to his illegitimate sneak-in to London, he is running away from the police. They both land up in the same shopping mall, and coincidentally, the cops too! As he is spotted by the cop, Varun plunges on to Jacqueline and smooches; to hide his face. Jacqueline, who was hell irritated with her intrusive co-passenger less than an hour back, looks delighted with the uncalled, unforeseen and of course un-consented kiss, but seems to be up for more.

No offence to anyone enjoying a random kiss, but we can’t be blamed for seeing this as a direct infringement to one’s privacy. Also, consent is crucial, it really is! Slapping on her bum or grabbing and kissing her is made to look alright. But is it alright? Next, what disturbs is how she goes weak on her knees, because oh, Varun kissed her so well! Why is misogyny fun? But let’s excuse, kyun ki comedy hai yaar!

The entire love story that they later take to a marriage, initiates with this one kiss. In between, there are instances of identity confusions (since Prem and Raja are twins). To much of our surprise, Jacqueline continues to be nothing else but happy even as she assumes her man is faking his identity.

Bringing in discussions on such subtle hints of regression is quite challenging. Because it is laughable, we find it easier to overlook the objectionable portions. Further, whether one finds them objectionable or not itself is relative, depending on his own perception.

But what has to be called out, has to be called out!