‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’ Movie Review – Bollywood Bubble

Directed by: Mohit Suri
Produced by: Mahesh Bhatt
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Rajkummar Rao
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 2/5

After the super success of ‘Ek Villain’ Mohit Suri is back with a new venture, the Emraan Hashmi-Vidya Balan starrer ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’ has hit silver screens this Friday. Domestic violence and women trapped in bad marriages is very much a reality in India and the movie ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’ brings out the same reality in celluloid. Mohit Suri’s love story delves into society’s understanding of the term love and questions whether marriage is the only true celebration of this basic human emotion.

‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’ is a story about a rich and sensitive man Emraan Hashmi (Aarav), a married woman Vidya Balan (Vasudha) and her tyrant husband Rajkummar Rao (Hari). Vidya Balan is trapped in a marriage with Rajkummar Rao, until he suddenly goes missing for five years. Enters Emraan Hashmi who realizes the pain and the loneliness in Vidya Balan, and falls in love with her. After much delay Vidya Balan, finally accepts Hashmi’s marriage proposal, but then Rajkummar Rao makes a comeback.

The plot of the film is good, but what seemed as a plot for a terrific extra marital love affair drama in the promo, waters down to a mere ripple. Mahesh Bhatt is known for his cinematic prowess in defining pain and rejection with genius strokes in ‘Saaransh’ ‘Zakm’ and many others. But his ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’ fails to evoke any genuine emotion. The concept of the film is quite an emotional one, but the film turns monotonous after a time.

The 150-minute story shifts from being modern, to being regressive, ultimately ends being pointless. The tearjerker results in in a ridiculous love story that ends up being an unintentional comedy. Mohit Suri had garnered much appreciation for his last film ‘Ek Villain’ but has failed with ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’. The film has some good songs which will connect with the audience. The movie includes some very exotic locations. First half of the film seems slow but the second half offers some momentum with the entry of Rajkummar Rao.

Vidya Balan’s evidently uncomfortable being Vasudha. She has given her all to make Vasudha pass off as someone who you can empathize with. But there are certain places where she stumbles. Emraan Hashmi, as Vasudha’s Knight in shining armour, is equally detached. There are certain places where he has proved that he can emote but the script lets him down. Rajkummar Rao is reduced to wear a weird wig and scream and shout. From a jilted husband to a revengeful lover, he has displayed a wide range of emotions. His character is the one to stay with you.

Watch it at your risk.