‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ is a story of two lovebirds who are about to get married but they stumble across an expected roadblock. Mudit (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Sugandha (Bhumi Pedenkar) fall for each other but neither approaches the other. Sugandha is waiting for Mudit to make the first move. When he does, things, however, bear-ly go his way. Nevertheless, Digital India gets to his aid and helps him send a proposal online and they eventually fall in love and decide to get married. Their respective families also agree for this union cause of the proposal. But the twist in the tale comes when Mudit discovers that he suffers from erectile dysfunction.
If we come to think of it is it really possible to create a Hindi film around this ‘touchy‘ subject of erectile dysfunction, which men don’t even like talking about, without being downright crass about it? Turns out that it is, and quite a funny one at that. The biggest strength of the movie is its dialogues, the lead pair’s chemistry and the run time. In just 119 minutes of duration, the film packs in a lot. This is largely because the charming lead pair has an affable chemistry between them, which doesn’t come across too forced – an absolutely essential element when dealing with such a private ‘Gents problem’, as the film calls it. Additionally, the supporting cast playing their family is also effortlessly 600-199 natural. Although none of the characters really stand out, they all blend seamlessly and as a result, the film moves relatively smoothly with genuine servings of humour.
The film really picks up when the lovers decide to have sex but fail. This crucial sequence is very well handled. In fact, the entire film is sensitively executed. The sequences are peppered by humour but it never even once gets indecent. The makers deserve loads of kudos for handling such a taboo topic so beautifully.
Unfortunately, much like Mudit’s character, it is unable to perform when it matters the most – the climax. For some reason, the writers come up with an unconvincing turning point towards the end, followed by a few more absurd sequences, including a seemingly forced cameo and before you realize it becomes very difficult to hold on and understand what’s going on and why. It’s quite the disappointment, and while that doesn’t quite negate the undeniable effort put in by the cast, it does make you wonder why the writers let the story go limp. That aside, there are many sequences in ‘Shubh Mangal Saavdhan’ Sugandha taking Mudit to a park to seduce him (notice how smoothly this scene changes from being funny to moving), like Sugandha’s father and uncle suddenly realising how they are so similar, the doctor sequence, Mudit entering the Haridwar mansion again but in a better way keeps you entertained long enough to make it worth a watch.
Ayushmann Khurrana delivers a yet another smashing performance after BAREILLY KI BARFI. His monologue in the second half makes you realise that he is one of the best actors around! Bhumi Pednekar is in top form too and gives a performance which is as terrific as her previous two films (DUM LAGA KE HAISHA and TOILET- EK PREM KATHA). Her dilemma and the way she manages a performance in confrontational scenes are noteworthy. Seema Pahwa (Vimla, Sugandha’s mother) is too good and the star from the very first scene. The actors playing Sugandha and Mudit’s fathers are also scene 400-351 stealers and have an important part in the madness, Mudit’s Dad saying “Mera ladka hai woh uska kuch bhi chota nahi ho sakta”, is surely going to make you laugh. Same goes for Brijendra Kala (Sugandha’s uncle). Gopal Dutt (Doctor) leaves a mark in a special appearance. Anshul Chauhan (Ginni) and Supriya Shukla (Mudit’s mother) are decent.
On the whole, SHUBH MANGAL SAAVDHAN is a light hearted flick that can be seen by the whole family despite its taboo subject.
We give it 3 buzzing bees and A jar of honey for the Director R S Prasanna and the whole cast.
