‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ movie review: Strong story and great performances make this a winner

Directed By: Shashank Khaitan
Produced By: Karan Johar
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 3.5/5

It’s another Friday morning. As I packed my backpack and left for the early-day movie stint, I wondered if Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan’s latest venture would compensate for the one hour of sleep that I sacrificed. Two and a half hours later, I am so delighted as I am writing the ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ movie review. What was touted to be a mere romantic drama, turned out to be much more.

Badrinath Bansal (Varun Dhawan), a tenth-pass son of a rich businesman and money-lender from Jhansi, falls in love with Vaidehi Trivedi (Alia Bhatt), a girl from Kota. Badri is an oblivious patriarch, but a caring and sweet soul inside. Vaidehi is fierce, high-spirited; a beautiful rebel. Badri insists to marry her. Although initially reluctant, Vaidehi agrees to tie the knot if Badri first finds a groom for her elder sister. After a grueling groom-finding session that lasts for days, both the sisters are set to get married on the same day. Just when we too have started believing in a quick, happy ending, Vaidehi runs away on her wedding day. The rest is a topsy turvy story!

We can name a hundred films that preach about the rights of women, that voice against sexism and patriarchy. But that’s the deal! Although set on a staunch, harsh patriarchal backdrop, ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ doesn’t come around as a preacher. It rather is a subtle evolution of characters from bad to better. The small emotional quotients make it more relatable. After all, the strongest of movements often cook up in silence. The transformation of the story which is blended well with good comic timing, is a delight.

What backs ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ is a strong sense of characterisation. A dominant father, a dominant mother, a desperate-to-break-free daughter; every character seems familiar. Every small detailing adds to the film’s effectiveness.

Varun Dhawan, as an actor, has evolved like almost no one. If you have followed his earlier comic stints, you can notice the difference in just one go. From his Bhojpuri accent to the verbal and non-verbal expressions of a helpless man stuck in love, Varun has pulled it off so well! Alia Bhatt needs no further praise for her skills. She is full of heart, flamboyant, like always. But in this one, Varun strongly and clearly steals the show. The performances are top class, along with a special mention for Sahil Vaid as Varun’s friend and Shweta Basu Prasad as her very small but impactful role.

Unlike many other commercial flicks, ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ is not overloaded with loud background music. John Stewart Eduri has done a decent job in that context. We loved Tanishk Bagchi’s recreation of ‘Tamma Tamma Loge’. Manan Sagar’s editing is neat.

However, a few glitches here and there come to notice. In second half, the film appears a little dragged. A few twists in the story are little bit in contradiction with what the film really conveys.The climax could have carried some more emotions. A bit more crispness would have been great. Otherwise, totally go for this one, this weekend!

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