Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana - Movie review

Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana
Director: Ratnaa Sinha
U/A: Drama/ romance
Cast: Kriti Kharbanda, Rajkummar Rao

The first question that comes to mind while watching Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana is pertaining to the motive behind creating a film that is so overwrought, it sinks into a whirlpool of regressive ideas. That this release comes at a time when Hindi cinema has seen a spate of meaningful films based in small towns, only makes this experience bitter. The film unnecessarily glorifies feudal and patriarchal practices like dowry, and promotes gender inequality.

Set in Kanpur, the Ratnaa Sinha-directed film revolves around Satyendra Mishra (Rajkummar Rao), a clerk in the excise department, and Aarti Shukla (Kriti Kharbanda), an aspiring IAS officer. The two meet over coffee and instantly agree to get married. But, Aarti elopes on the wedding day because she doesn't want to be a housewife, and intends to pursue her career, leaving Satyendra and his family in a lurch. Five years later, destiny brings them together. But, things are different now. Up to a point, the film is watchable. But, unnecessary subplots spoil the broth. The drama runs out of steam soon enough, and melodrama takes over.

In an attempt to propagate the message of 'family-first', the movie employs misconceptions and stereotypes, making it impossible to engage with the lead characters. Yet, the duo stands out. Rao, as is now usual, sinks his teeth into his character.

Directors must now avoid banking on his acting prowess alone and focus on green-lighting good scripts. Kharbanda, too, is earnest. The rest of the cast members, including Manoj Pahwa, KK Raina and Govind Namdeo, try to save the sinking ship, but fail. Instead of attending this shaadi, you'd rather watch a film that teaches you to be Singlle.