Vaidehi Ka Dulha should've been the title of the movie. Badri mutters the same at a crucial moment in the story since finding the dulhania wasn't difficult but becoming her dulha is an arduous task. 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' is a lively and wildly entertaining film that keeps the feel of the series alive. This time, Humpty has become Badri; Kavya is now Vaidehi; and the strict father has turned into a misogynist. Writer and Director Shashank Khaitan, who brought us the lovable 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania', continues the franchise with a story that, under all the glitter, has a solid message relevant to our times. Of course the good intentions are wrapped in shine and brimming with melodious songs with stars whose chemistry crackles.
Badri aka Varun Dhawan first lays eyes on Vaidehi aka Alia Bhatt at a wedding and is instantly head over heels for the young lass. Vaidehi, on the other hand, not so much. The first half is a hilarious breeze as these characters are established as polar opposites. Badri is a glorified goon for his very rich and very regressive father who has little ambition to do anything other than get married. Our young heroine, however, dreams of flying. Literally. Both leads hail from small conservative towns but the burdens of their birth are only felt by the girl. Naturally. It's all fun and games until ideologies truly clash and respect has to be demanded and eventually earned.
The premise of the movie is formulaic. We have the usual hard headed father, the silent mother, the supportive but sad brother, and the always dependable best friend. What saves the movie from becoming a usual fare is the fiery execution. You will not be able to hold back your mirth as laugh out loud moments are aplenty. Take the bus scene, for example, where Badri is accused by fellow passengers of harassing the innocent Vaidehi and she quickly turns the tables leaving him in tears. It's a deliciously acted and directed sequence that will have you holding back tears of laughter. Many such moments smoothly bring us to the interval which then puts a bit of a spin on the tale. The plot post interval becomes a tad slow and redundant. The drama is pushed full throttle and you're left saying: yes, we get it. Fortunately, the pace picks up speed shortly there after and the movie goes out on a high.
What works wonders for the film is the acting. The leads share a chemistry that easily outshines everything and everyone else. Alia Bhatt is as charming as it gets in a role that she could've done in her sleep. She bats her eyelashes mercilessly and shows conflict well on her face even in moments of joy. This may come as a pleasant surprise but the real scene stealer here is Varun Dhawan. He smiles, weeps, dances, runs amok, and finds a way into your heart. Playing the lovable goof has become his forte and he knows it. Sahil Vaid as Badri's constant companion, Somdev, never fails to bring a smile to your face. The one complaint I have is that Badri's father could've been better cast. I missed Ashutosh Rana's glare tremendously from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. Shashank Khaitan showed promise in his first film and he delivers yet again. His fresh and relevant writing brings many societal issues to the forefront in an enjoyable manner. To make sure the fun quotient doesn't decrease several trendy songs (with eye popping choreography) are infused into the narrative. If entertainment and laughter are what you seek, look no further. We could all use a little more color in our lives. It is Holi after all. And this film paints with every shade from the rainbow.
