Movie Review - Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan

The feeling after watching this movie –

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan……

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★Synopsis

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is a romantic love movie directed by Hitesh Kewalya and starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, and Gajraj Rao. It presents the life of two gay men who are in love, and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan depicts their struggle to convince their families to accept the relationship. But things are never as easy as they seem and one of the boy`s family decides to get him married to a girl. Will their `unconventional` love prevail?

★The hard love

The opening scene of this romantic comedy manages to squeeze a wide smile out of you, such is the moviey charm of a flamboyant Kartik and his uptight, yet personable, lover Aman. The couple is seen chasing a train to Allahabad, where they are headed for an uphill battle with the latter's family and the society's conventional mentality in general.

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is the story of two men in love in Section 377 era. Aman Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) is the son of Shankar Tripathi (Gajraj Rao) and Sunaina (Neena Gupta), who are based in Allahabad. Aman works in Delhi and unknown to his family, he's a gay and is living in with Kartik (Ayushmann Khurrana). Jitendra's cousin sister Goggle (Maanvi Gagroo) is getting married and Neena calls Aman to come back to attend her marriage. 

Aman at first refuses but then gives in. Kartik also joins him and they meet the entire Tripathi family in a marriage special train called Vivah Express. In the train, Aman and Kartik kiss when they assume that no one is looking. Sadly for them, Shankar sees them and he gets the shock of his life. He doesn't tell anyone about it out of shame. 

At Goggle's marriage, Aman, in front of everyone, kisses Kartik, thus astonishing the Tripathi family. Thanks to this development, Goggle's to be husband refuses to get married. In anger, Goggle runs away. Kartik is asked to leave and Shankar's brother and Goggle's father Chaman (Manurishi Chadha) drops him off to Allahabad station. 

At the railway station, Kartik bumps into Goggle and stops her from ending her life. She tells Kartik that he shouldn't run away and that he should fight for his love. This motivates Kartik and he decides to return to win over not just Jitendra but the entire Tripathi family. What happens next forms the rest of the movie.

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★The description of plots and characters

The mood and tone is essentially satirical and puny, laced with melodrama that works at times but feels a little too far-fetched on several occasions. Also, since the movie is primarily invested in the small-town drama pertaining to the taboo around same-sex relationships, the writer-director fails to tap on the elements exclusive to small cities like Allahabad, and restricts the plotline to one conventional family. 

While ignoring the enigma of the holy city and all that it has to offer in terms of visual and cinematic experience, the director snatches away the potential of this movie being a believable watch. But, Ayushmann Khuranna's depiction of the smooth-talking, with a devil-may-care-less attitude, Kartik is a delight to watch on screen and he more than makes up for the damage. 

His unabashed ability to love at all times grows on you, and his on-screen characteristic trait of being hilarious at odd, awkward moments is what makes him the right fit for this role. And, walking shoulder to shoulder with the eccentric Kartik, is Jitendra Kumar's demure and docile Aman: if Ayushmann highjacks the movie with his infectious energy, a mellow Jitendra balances it out with his poker-faced humour and the relatability factor that he maintains throughout the movie; a natural.

It is noteworthy as to how well the supporting cast renders its complete (and able) support to the lead pair. Maanvi Gagroo, as the 27-year-old cousin Goggle desperately waiting for society's stamp of approval in the form of an arranged marriage, is a show-stealer in her own capacity. 

Gajraj Rao, as the dominating patriarch and a failed scientist, is both serious in his approach when needed, and funny, when the situation demands him to be. Likewise, Neena Gupta, as the fully-invested mother and 'aadhi adhuri' wife, delivers some of the best punch lines and gets the small-town mentality bang on. It's safe to say that the rest of the cast, too, has been handpicked with much thought.

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★Conclusion

On the whole, although the climax is an offshoot of multiple tried-and-tested formulas, and looks like it was conjured up in tearing hurry. The little dragged some scenes make you feel fake, but at last good message for closed minded people. Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is a decent attempt and makes an interesting comment on homophobia which exists in the country. It to give message to the homosexual live and let live, love can happen with anyone.