Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Kshitee Jog, Abhinav Sharma, Anjali Anand, Aamir Bashir, Churni Ganguly
Director: Karan Johar
What’s Good: A whimsical display of emotions in the most ‘KJo-marries-Ranveer’ way possible
What’s Bad: Every character gets an emotional backdrop adding to the overall drama
Loo Break: Yep, it’s close to 3 hours and you’ll find yourself gulping Colas to optimally enjoy the theatrics on-screen
Watch or Not?: Are you someone who thought Bollywood was losing its identity in order to mimic other industries? Well, here you go! Watch this asap.
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 2 hours 48 minutes
“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” is an entertaining clash of two Desi families, the boisterous ‘Randhawas’ and the sophisticated ‘Chatterjees.’ While the film revolves around the romance between Rocky (Ranveer Singh) and Rani (Alia Bhatt), it’s their grandparents who truly steal the show.
The script, divided among three writers, Shashank Khaitan, Sumit Roy, and Ishita Moitra, delivers a delightful and eventful experience from start to finish. The first half is filled with breezy fun, but the second half delves into heavier emotions. However, Karan Johar’s direction keeps the film engaging, and he cleverly infuses funny moments into emotional sequences, drawing inspiration from the style of Rajkumar Hirani. The movie pays tribute to Hindi cinema, featuring epic sequences that add to the overall scale.
Ranveer Singh shines in his role as Rocky, perfectly embodying the expected madness in a Karan Johar film. His performance is captivating, effortlessly handling both humorous and poignant moments. Alia Bhatt complements him well with her earnest presence, although her character feels slightly underdeveloped. Veteran actors Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi deliver touching performances that tug at the heartstrings.
Karan Johar’s talent as a filmmaker and writer is evident in the well-crafted characters, especially with Jaya Bachchan’s character ‘Dhanlaxmi,’ reflecting her real-life social media persona. Tota Roy Chowdhury impresses with his emotional portrayal, and Churni Ganguly stands out as the quintessential Bengali character.
The film’s direction is praiseworthy, with Karan Johar artfully incorporating references to classic Bollywood films, which seamlessly blend into the narrative. However, the music by Pritam falls short of expectations, lacking tracks that leave a lasting impact.
“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” is a Bollywood family entertainer that successfully fills the void in the genre. The combination of Ranveer Singh’s craziness and Karan Johar’s eccentricity results in an enjoyable and memorable cinematic experience. With its heartwarming moments and occasional laughs, the movie earns a solid three and a half stars!
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Trailer:
