Movie – Badhaai DO
Genre – Comedy, Drama
Star Cast – Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Seema Pahwa, Sheeba Chaddha, Loveleen Mishra and Nitesh Pandey.
Director – Harshavardhan Kulkarni
Story By – Suman Adhikary, Akshat Ghildial and Harshavardhan Kulkarni
Dialogues By – Suman Adhikary, Akshat Ghildial and Harshavardhan Kulkarni
Producer – Vineet Jain
Music By – Amit Trivedi, Tanishk Bagchi, Ankit Tiwari and Khamosh Shah
Lyrics By – Varun Grover, Anurag Bhomia, Vayu and Azeem Shirazi
CAST AND REVIEW
Story is pretty clear that Shardul Thakur (Rajkumar Rao) a cop and Sumi Singh (Bhumi Pednekar) a PT teacher both decide to get married as both are gay. Both say they are going to get married and will be happy in their own lives. Both will be allowed to live with their partners and live their lives to the fullest. But where in society is it permissible to live even after marriage. Right after the wedding, the conversation about the child of both starts, but the story of Shardul and Sumi is completely different, so overall, what they both thought, it doesn’t happen. Also Read – Khiladi VS Badhaai Do Box Office Clash.
Director Harshvardhan Kulkarni and his co-stars Suman Adhikari and Akshat Ghildiyal created a bit of confusion in their script. He couldn’t decide whether to make the film as an art film or balance it with the traditional elements. The plot of the film seems to be derailed. Some scenes are shown completely beyond logic. In between, an attempt was made to present it as a masala movie. The film’s editor Kirti Nakhwa edited it in such a way that it will feel in three places that the film is over now, which it isn’t. Also Read – Guns & Gulaabs: Rajkummar Rao’s New Web Series Story Has Come to the Forefront, Netflix Releases Statement
Both Shardul and Sumi’s parents are on the lookout for a suitor, blind to the fact that their children are gay. While the two have been going about their lives, Sumi’s dating adventure leads her to Shardul, a macho-yet-humble and pampered cop. Badhaai Do seeks to knock down the first door and make advances in a country where Indians are unaware of, hostile to, or simply non-inclusive of the LGBTQIA population. It does so, however, with lighthearted references to moral policing, body shaming, and not being fair enough to marry. The early part of the film is littered with plot holes. In his screenplay, director Harshvardhan Kulkarni creates a few minor problems, but they never become a big source of concern. Fights, disputes, and family problems are all settled quickly, leaving you wondering where the plot is going. The second half of the film shines brighter than the first, owing to actress Sheeba Chaddha, who brings life to a boring love story. Sheeba, who plays Shardul’s mother, provides comic relief and her own charm with her odd yet likeable demeanour.
Whether it’s about living your own truth or legalising adoption for LGBTQIA people, Badhaai Do aims to spark a conversation while also highlighting the fact that we still have a long way to go by holding up a mirror to society. Badhaai Do revolves around the story of Shardul (Rajkummar Rao) and Sumi (Bhumi Pednekar), who are closeted members of the LGBTQ+ community, living together as roommates after they agree to get into a ‘marriage of convenience’. The film shows how an individual’s sexual orientation defines and decides their fate in the society. While Shardul, a police officer, and Sumi, a PE teacher, agree to this arrangement — referred to as a lavender marriage — to shut their families up and get rid of the constant pressure to get married, the journeys they take on with their respective partners eventually lead to several realisations about their realities.
Another element I really liked about the film is that Badhaai Do also explores the dynamics of families of homosexual people, especially those living in small towns, and shows how they deal with this deep-rooted stigma. In the movie, there’s a very realistic and relatable portrayal of conflicts that exist within families when a son/daughter wishes to come out of the closet – Badhaai Do shows how it is considered as some sort of a ‘disease’.
DETAILED
The first half of Badhaai Do shows the teething troubles Rajkummar and Bhumi face while staying together as a married couple and connecting with their real personalities and partners, while the second half shifts focus on how they try to de-stigmatise and normalise homosexuality for their families. Here, I must mention that the director didn’t try to please everyone and made viewers forcefully understand and accept the reality of Shardul and Sumi. The scenes in which he narrates his inner pain strike a chord with the audience. Bhumi, too, delivers an excellent performance and at no point looks like she’s awkwardly playing a lesbian character. She is unapologetic about her sexual orientation and makes it evident with a strong grip on the story. The intimate scenes with her girlfriend Rimjhim (played by debutant Chum Darang) are exceptional and beautifully captured. Among other actors, Seema Pahwa, Sheeba Chaddha, Nitesh Pandey lend a strong support to the story. Their hilarious conversations trigger some genuine laughs. Not to forget Gulshan Devaiah, whose special cameo is just unmissable. It is definitely one of the most endearing moments in the film.
In a country where decriminalising consensual gay sex took ages and where same-sex marriages are still not legal, merely showing a happy pride parade won’t really bring about much of a change. We definitely need many more such films to break the stigma. But yes, Badhaai Do surely starts a conversation, more so for the families of homosexual people, which, I feel, is the most important takeaway from this film.
Badhaai Do promises the same comical ride of finding humour in unexpected places as Badhaai Ho. While Badhaai Ho told us what hilarious situations a middle-aged couple’s love could lead to, Badhaai Do seems to be addressing another such unusual relationship and tell their story through comedy of error situations. Of course, where there is marriage and comedy, there is a baby.
The trailer revolves around a marital setting between Rajkummar and Bhumi, only to know that there are a lot of secrets between these two to unfold. Getting into a marriage of convenience and living as roommates, is what leads to humorous situations between the pair, making this one a perfect family entertainer. It is not only high on comedy and emotions, but this family drama also deals with a socially relevant subject, that we got a glimpse of in the trailer. While not much has been revealed, the topic of the film subtly highlights the concept of “lavender marriage” making it a must watch.
The trailer was posted with a caption, “Witness the Atrangi wedding Satrangi setting of the year in the month of love! #BadhaaiDoTrailer out now.
#BadhaaiDo coming out In Cinemas on 11th Feb, 2022”
The movie directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni, is one of the most eagerly awaited family entertainers releasing this year in cinemas.
Badhaai Do stars Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar in key roles. Helmed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni, the film also sees Seema Pahwa, Sheeba Chaddha, Lovleen Mishra, Nitesh Pandey, Shashi Bhushan, Chum Darang and Deepak Arora.
A fun, level-headed mix of entertainment and social purpose, Interrupt Works lightly on a solid theme and conveys its message without singing or dancing on it. No sense in telling you now – I don’t wanna ruin the suprise. The film unequivocally championes the cause of personality and inclusion while serving a compelling story that sets foot on the ground in a fun, thought-provoking and intriguingly angular way.
Choosing the small town of Uttarakhand as its setting, Interrupt Preserving freedom for oneself does not fly into any extreme ambiguity and clings to its path in a nondescript world where waking-up is not even a word, leave an idea in currency and practice.
Shardul Tagore (Rajkumar Rao), a member of an extended family, a sub-inspector posted at a women’s police station in Dehradun. Sumon Singh (Bhumi Pednekar), who lives with his parents and a teenage younger brother, is a physical instructor at a school. Both are in their early thirties, but are in the mood to get married.
Shardul’s aunt (Seema Pahwa) and his widowed mother (Shiva Chadda) are desperate to find a bride for him. Sumon is also in the same place. No one is interested in the opposite sex but can’t come out because of the conservative environment that they are part of. They find each other – Sumon meets Shardul when he lodges a complaint with the police about a stalker – and decides to have a regular marriage to get their families off their backs and who they really are. Lavender’s marriage gets complicated when Sumi’s new love, Rimjhim (Chum Darang), a pathology lab assistant, leaves with her. Shardul has a flat in the police colony and maintaining a happy married couple faces a big challenge as the police deputy superintendent lives in a one-storey apartment. Parents, other relatives and dirty neighbors should be kept away. It’s obviously easier said than done. The film has been made on a very important topic, which is not a common topic in the society. The story of this film is from the LGBTQ community (LGBTQ) is attached to. Nothing was clear in the teaser of the film at first sight, but after the trailer, the audience understood that this film is not an ordinary film. In the film, Rajkummar Rao is in the role of a gay, while Bhumi Pednekar has become a lesbian. This is the first time that mainstream actors have chosen such characters. Although before this, Vaani Kapoor has also shown her boldness in the film ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’. But in the film ‘Badhaai Do’, the two main characters, they are also seen in such a big star cast.
Rajkumar is in the role of Shardul. Both Shardul and Sumi are gay. Both are from Uttarakhand. His family doesn’t know about him that he is gay. While Sumi works as a PT teacher, Shardul is a tough young man who is recruited in the police. Now the twist in the story comes when their family thinks about their marriage. The family puts pressure on both of them to marry. In such a situation, about the girl shown to Shardul, he comes to know that she is like him and will understand him. He talks to Sumi and tells his reality too.
There are marriages of all kinds. Love. Arranged. And Arranged-cum-Love, which happens only in India. ‘Shaadi toh compromise hai (marriage is a compromise)’, says Shardul Thakur in ‘Badhaai Do’: by then, his family knows exactly what ‘compromise’ he is talking about, leading to consternation all round. Shardul (Rajkumar Rao) and Sumi Singh (Bhumi Pednekar) have got together in holy matrimony for good reasons of their own. The small town they live in has very little understanding of same-sex love or ‘samlaingikta’. For both Shardul, the cop who loves to build his body, ingesting indigestible protein shakes on the way; and Sumi the no-nonsense physical instructor who teaches in a school as she navigates her way through a dating app, the marriage is a perfect cover. They can keep their ‘jaldi-shaadi-karo’ families at bay, and they can continue to be true to their sexual orientation: ‘zamana kya kahega, mummy-papa mar jayenge agar sacchai saamne aa gayi toh (What will society say, and mummy-papa will die if the truth comes out)’.
"The makers are clear on bringing this film to the big screen. Several test screenings have taken place over the last few months, and the response from target groups has been on the positive side. After Badhaai Ho, it's time for Badhaai Do and the team has decided to bring the film to the big screen on February 11". The source added, "The cinema halls are operational in Maharashtra right now, however, Delhi is still shut. There is chatter and hope within the industry that Delhi cinema halls will reopen with 50 percent occupancy cap by the first week of February.
The film's track is loved by all and it is garnering a lot of attention. The title track Badhaai Do has taken the internet by storm with many artists recreating it and taking on the Badhaai Do challenge.
As the release date of the film is inching closer the makers and the cast are leaving no stones unturned to promote the film. Recently, Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar were spotted shaking their legs on the Badhaai Do's title track during a promotional event. actor Rajkummar Rao is seen donned in cream colour pants, an orange t-shirt and a white jacket with black stripes. Bhumi Pednekar on the other hand opted for printed flared pants, paired with a crop top and shoes. Her makeup was subtle and for hairs, she chose to go with the open hair look. The two were seen dancing their heart out on the Badhaai Do song and they also had the band- Baja people behind them playing the instruments. the critically acclaimed film Badhaai Ho starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Neena Gupta, Sanya Malhotra and Gajraj Rao in the lead roles. The plot of the film revolves around Sumi getting into a marriage of convenience with Rajkummar Rao's Shardul Thakur, a gay policeman and then drama unfolds between Sumi, her husband and her love interest. The film is helmed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni and it is bankrolled by Juglee Pictures. It is all set to go on floors on February 11, 2022. Apart from Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar, it also stars Seema Pahwa, Sheeba Chaddha, Loveleen Mishra, Nitesh Pandey among others in pivotal roles.
That’s where Badhaai Do really works for me. It’s doesn’t get preachy or tell homosexual people to turn rebels. Instead, the film shows the real and actual evils they fight every day, not just in society but also at home.
Another element I really liked about the film is that Badhaai Do also explores the dynamics of families of homosexual people, especially those living in small towns, and shows how they deal with this deep-rooted stigma. In the movie, there’s a very realistic and relatable portrayal of conflicts that exist within families when a son/daughter wishes to come out of the closet – Badhaai Do shows how it is considered as some sort of a ‘disease’.
The first half of Badhaai Do shows the teething troubles Rajkummar and Bhumi face while staying together as a married couple and connecting with their real personalities and partners, while the second half shifts focus on how they try to de-stigmatise and normalize homosexuality for their families .
His dialogues from him, the accent he speaks in and the muscles he flaunts breaks away from the stereotypical portrayal of gay men onscreen. The scenes in which he narrates his inner pain strike a chord with the audience. Bhumi, too, delivers an excellent performance and at no point looks like she’s awkwardly playing a lesbian character. She is unapologetic about her sexual orientation and makes it evident with a strong grip on the story. Ella Rimjhim’s intimate scenes with her girlfriend (played by debutant Chum Darang) are exceptional and beautifully captured.
While portraying gay and lesbian characters in ‘Badhaai Do’ not only talks about their challenges and difficulties but also tries to give a new perspective to the people and families of this community. After a National Award winning film like ‘Badhaai Ho’, ‘Badhaai Do’ in the sequel brings up a sensitive and urgent issue of today’s era, where the story and characters do not stereotype the gay community but the frozen prejudices and stereotypes towards them. Trying to change the lesser mindset.
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