Banner: Dharma Productions
Producers: Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Ashutosh Rana, Sidharth Shukla, Gaurav Pandey, Sahil Vaid, Kenny Desai, Mahnaz Damania, Deepika Amin, Guncha Narula, Jaswant Daman
Music: Sachin-Jigar, Sharib-Toshi
How often do we fall in love with every character in a film? Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania is one of those rare films where every character, not just the lead pair, tugs at your heart strings. That's the USP of this film.
Movies are nothing but the creation of a man who transports the spectator to another world, where the spectator believes in his creative experience. We have seen Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) and we all have lived the film many a time. In fact, there probably isn't a single Indian movie-goer who is not in love with the film. The basic plot of Humpty... reminds you of DDLJ but Shashank Khaitan's treatment is very refreshing. If any film that can pay homage to DDLJ in right earnest, it's Humpty Shamra Ki Dulhania.
From the first look itself, it was clear that this film was a complete family entertainer. To begin with, it's a very well made film, and complementing that is lead pair Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. The promos of the film definitely aroused much curiosity and - the film lives up to expectations.
Flamboyant Kavya Pratap Singh (Alia Bhatt) daughter of an automobile mechanic-turned-transporter (Ashutosh Rana), wants an expensive designer lehenga for her impending wedding. She belongs to a reputed rich family from Ambala and is set to marry Angad (Sidharth Shukla), an NRI groom that her father has chosen for her. When Kavya tells her father that the lehenga will cost ' 5 lakh, he refuses to buy it for her. Kavya's only wish is to choose a designer lehenga for her wedding and doesn't mind that she hasn't chosen her groom. Soon Kavya sets out for Delhi on her own to buy her lehenga and to meet her friend Gurpreet (Guncha Narula).
Kavya visits her uncle in Delhi, where she also meets Rakesh, who is fondly called Humpty Sharma (Varun Dhawan). Humpty is a lovable yet street-smart brash boy whose dad (Kenny Desai) owns a small college bookstore. Humpty and his two friends Shonty (Gaurav Pandey) and Poplu (Sahil Vaid) help Kavya and Gurpreet in their time of need and in the process Kavya and Humpty fall in love with each other.
Only problem is that Kavya has to return to Ambala to get married. So Humpty, with Shonty and Poplu, head out to Ambala to win the love of his life. All said and done, Humpty has his work cut out for him, when after getting beaten up by Kavya's brother and her father's men, he plans to stick around.
Kavya's father proposes a deal to Humpty, but when Humpty meets Angad, he realises tha he has some serious competition to deal with. How and what Humpty does to win Kavya's hand in marriage forms the crux of the story.
The film begins on a happy note, with Kavya all pepped up to buy her lehenga and heading for Delhi, where she meets Humpty. The dialogue is very apt, which makes watching the film even more enjoyable. Also, the proceedings unfold quickly, keeping the film pacey. When the second half of the film begins, you find yourself trying to guess what's going to happen next. Although several scenes in the first half of the film lack credibility, they have been handled tactfully.
The protagonists' love for each other is very convincing and the film stays true to being a no-nonsense, light-hearted entertainer. Also, how Humpty's friends are always there for him is wonderfully captured.
Kudos to Shashank Khaitan for weaving such a beautiful story with total conviction, a welcome addition to our talented pool of directors. The film has hit music, which is a big plus. Cinematography by Neha Parti Matiyani is apt. Background music goes well with the feel of the film. Editing by Manan Sagar is crisp. Costumes and locations are apt. With a runtime of 134 minutes, the film unfolds and wraps with finesse.
Performance-wise, the chemistry between Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt's is adorable. Dhawan carries the film spectacularly and is splendid. He's the soul of the film and delivers yet another marvelous performance. Bhatt is the show stealer and delivers an incredible performance again. Ashutosh Rana fills his character with the right shades of emotion and is brilliant. Gaurav Pandey and Sahil Vaid, who play Dhawan's friends, are outstanding in their respective roles. Siddharth Shukla marks an impressive debut and does justice to his role. Kenny Desai is good. Mahnaz Damania impresses. Deepika Amin is notable. Guncha Narula is okay. Jaswant Daman plays her part beautifully. The other artistes show off their fine talent, even in their miniscule roles.
Verdict: Super Hit.
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