‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ Movie Review – Bollywood Bubble

Directed by: Sharat Katariya
Produced by: Yash Raj Films
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
Duration: 1 hours 50 minutes
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 4/5

‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’, a conventional love story set in Haridwar, has equal measures of romance and entertainment. It is all about love that comes in all sizes. Co-produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films and Maneesh Sharma, ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ is directed by Sharat Katariya. The movie also features singer Kumar Sanu in a cameo. Director Katariya has kept things very simple, yet entertaining.

‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ is an unusual love story between Prem Prakash Tiwari (Ayushmann Khurana) and his obese wife Sandhya Verma (Bhumi Pednekar). Sandhya is a 22 year old simple girl who weighs 85 kilos and has just two dreams in life, one to become a teacher and the other to marry a man who will both love and respect her. Prem on the other hand is a ardent Kumar Sanu fan and runs an audio cassette shop. The one person he is afraid of is his father (Sanjay Mishra) who assumes him as ‘good for nothing’. A promise made by his father to a friend years ago forces Prem to get hitched to extra large Sandhya. An embarrassed Prem who had dream’t of marrying a svelte beauty, keeps a safe distance from Sandhya.

The innocent Sandhya however, is trying hard to make her husband happy, but Prem is least pleased by all her attempts. Then Prem’s mother asks him to participate in a race competition with his wife. He once again surrenders to his family’s wish. Will he be able to participate and win the race? Will the two fall in love and solve their issues? You can find your answers to these questions in ‘Dum Laga ke Haisha’.

Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar’s chemistry is effortlessly charming. There is a scene in which Prem and Sandhya ride a scooter and her sandal falls off. A grouchy Prem walks over and gets her sandals and she believes in love again. There is another incident in the film where Prem rejects Sandhya, but she does not tearfully accept Prem’s rejection. She lets him have it, much to the hilarious reactions of their in-laws. The crackling humour truly elevates ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ to another level.

The film is beautifully shot by Manu Anand and the background score by Andrea Guerra adds to it’s charm. Meenal Agarwal has given an authenticity to the film by including great ’90s’ details, from cassette tapes to scooters. Sanjay Mishra and Seema Pahwa play in laws and are fantastic.

Debutant actress Bhumi is the soul of the flick. As an overweight new bride this girl has truly won hearts. With her shy grin of a new bride, her suhaag raat nervousness, the dejected smile of rejection, or sheer fury. You feel pity for her, you ultimately fall in love with her. Pednekar will sweep the awards this year.

Ayushmann Khurranna is back after the dismal failure of Hawaaizaada, This time he has given a brilliant performance of a sulky husband. The actor has once again proved that he can rise to the challenge, if backed by a good script.

The backbone of the movie is its supporting cast. Sanjay Mishra, Alka Amin, Sheeba Chaddha, Seema Pahwa and Sanjeeva Vatsa make up a great family together and present a great show.

Music by Anu Malik is good. Dard Karara is outstanding. ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ will see the return of Anu Malik.

‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’ is a good family watch, for it is a laugh riot with a message.