A film based on the backdrop of shaadis and North India are working big time in Bollywood. It started with Namastey London and was followed by Jab We Met, Band Baaja Baaraat and the recent hit Tanu Weds Manu too had a similar setting. Such films focused on the middle class and were shot in real locations, which made them extremely identifiable. But of course, it’s the script that played a major role in the success of these films. Not letting down this wonderful trend, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, having a similar backdrop, also succeeds in giving wholesome entertainment! The performances are exemplary but it’s the writer-director Ali Abbas Zafar who’s the real winner for executing beaten to death love triangle drama with originality and humour!
The story of the movie: After an ugly breakup, Luv (Ali Zafar), based in London, decides that he’l like to marry an Indian girl and entrusts the responsibility to his younger brother Kush (Imran Khan). After several unpleasant encounters, Kush comes across Dimple (Katrina Kaif). Crazy, bindass, wacky, independent…Dimple is one of its kind! As luck would have it, she agrees for the marriage and Luv too gives his nod. The prolonged marriage preparations commence. And at this juncture, Kush realizes that he’s love with his brother’s dulhan Dimple!
The basic story might seem uninteresting and beaten to death. But Ali Abbas Zafar ensures that the film remains as wacky and as different from the rest of the films. The film begins on an average note (Luv’s breakup) but picks up dramatically with the brilliant title song, paying an ode to the 3 Khans. The film gets on a high when Kush and Dimple come face to face and hell breaks loose! Audiences get stunned and immediately realize…ye maanjra kya hai! The curiosity goes on a high and you cant wait for the secret to be unveiled! That’s the power of the terrific script and direction of Zafar! Hats off!
The film gets better and better as it progresses. The intermission comes at the perfect point and one expects the film to provide double the entertainment in the second hour. Alas, that doesn’t happen. The film gets too predictable and although there are some wonderful funny moments added, it doesn’t work fully as one knows what’s gonna happen next. One wished if some more problems and conflicts were added in the narrative, it would have spiced up the proceedings even more! Nevertheless, the film is still worth watching for script, performances and unadulterated and clean entertainment!
Both Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif vie for top honours! Imran is getting better with his every film and it was good to see him playing an assistant director once again (after I Hate Luv Storys)! With Delhi Belly and now Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, the expectations from Imran’s next Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu only raises manifold! Katrina Kaif shines! She’s extremely cute and lovable and it was immense pleasure to see her histrionics on screen. And her chemistry with Imran Khan was just terrific! With Mere Brother Ki Dulhan sure to be a success, this will be Katrina’s 7th success in a row! Hats off! Ali Zafar proves he’s here to stay! Although in a supporting role, he maintains a strong position amongst Imran and Katrina.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub (Imran’s friend Shobhit and who played the murderer in No One Killed Jessica) was too good. So was Arfeen Khan (Katrina’s brother). His act was a straightaway reminder of SRK’s act in My Name Is Khan. But he has an important role in the film and excels. Tara D’souza (Pyali) is sizzling. Kanwaljeet Singh, Parikshit Sahni and their wives were good in their respective parts. John Abraham’s there in the film for one small scene.
Sohail Sen’s music was melodious. The title song, Isq Risk, Choomantar, Dhunki, Madhubala and Do Dhaari Talwar were all beautifully composed and placed at adequate intervals in the film. Isq Risk, however takes the cake and is easily the best of the lot. Sen’s background score too was efficient and the idea of incorporating ‘Meri Pyaari Bindoo’ instrumental was damn good! Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography was a delight to witness. The locales of Dehradun, Delhi and Agra are well captured. Watch out for Imran’s Dehradun house!
Ali Abbas Zafar succeeds with his story, screenplay, dialogues and direction! Although it’s his debut, he executes the film like an expert. He had a huge challenge-engrossing and entertaining the audience from start to finish with a storyline that was attempted thousands of times in our industry. And he succeeds well in his endaevour, well almost! Some scenes are wisely executed. Watch out when Luv and his father come face to face and radio starts emitting ‘Tu Mere Saamne Main Tere Saamne’! If only he had added more twists, dramas and conflicts in the 2nd half, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan would have been an all-time classic!
Some of the best scenes:
The title song, Isq Risk, Dhunki, Choomantar and Do Dhaari Talwar
Kush-Dimple’s dramatic reunion
Kush-Dimple’s flashback
Luv-Dimple’s webcam chat
Kush feeds dahi to Dimple
The intermission point
Kush-Dimple on the outskirts of Delhi
Pyali arrives in India
Pyali-Kush playing badminton
The last 15 minutes
On the whole, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is a neat, feel-good entertainer that succeeds thanks to a smart script, performances, music and the exciting North Indian touch! The film has few loopholes and gets too predictable in the second hour. Nevertheless, the fun quotient doesn’t dip and ensures you get wholesome but clean entertainment! Go for it!
My rating- ½