‘Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan’: Quirky take on a sensitive issue

This one is purely brilliant! This looks like the same gang that gave us a hilarious and heartwarming Badhaai Ho!

So much has already been written on Ayushmann Khurrana, and he doesn't disappoint in this film too. In fact now more than ever he looks at home in front of the camera. Though we have had some films in the past focusing on gay relationships, Sonam Kapoor's Ek Ladki Ko Dekha to Aisa Lagaa and now Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan are two films which laughingly though tenderly, without hurting any social sensibilities convey that gay relationships are as normal and natural as heterosexual ones.

Ayushmann Khurrana has a reputation for acting in films which deal with issues that present on the margins of the society and are often brushed under the carpet. He has been lauded for that as well as good acting too.

Homosexuality too is one such topic. The film doesn't take up the serious aspect of the issue which involves bullying and harassment of homosexuals. It takes up the broader aspect of the issue: the society's or rather family's unwillingness to accept it as natural. It is a sensitive issue considering the massive burden of taboos our society carries within.

Coming back to the film. It's not a great film, but can be considered an interesting one and one of the pathbreaker films. Treatment of a sensitive issue with crisp and funny dialogues and situations has become a peculiar characteristic of Ayushmann Khurrana starrer films. This one is no exception. The brilliant thing is the supporting cast. Besides versatile Jitendra Kumar and Ayushmann, we have amazing actors like Manu Rishi, Sunita Rajware, Maanvi Gagroo, Pankhuri Awasthy along with Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta which make the film interesting and griping.

There are two things which strike as unusual in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. The first and foremost are the funny dialogues cleverly hinting at political scenario relating to demonetisation, GST and of course an active Supreme Court. "Ab saare decision supreme court hi lega kya?" (Will Supreme Court take all the decisions now?)

And another character innocently says, "leta hi hai."( It always does!) And many such other dialogues which are not only humorous but also have subtle meanings too.

Another remarkable thing is that the film gives enough space to parents as 'couple'. Usually, our films tend to portray parents as though they were never a couple. But here, time and again a reference is made to the protagonist's parents- how they had to leave their love interests to marry according to their parent's choice.

A rift-ridden joint family is fun to watch and appeals because it's like any other middle-class joint family. A typical Indian marriage procession is portrayed beautifully with all its decadence, pomp and ridiculous moments. Characters like Champa, Goggles and Chaman are brilliant and keep you glued.

I have had enough of the Punjabi pop and it doesn't interest me any more. So, the music is just average. As an audience, we have had an overdose of Punjabi pop and remixes. Its high time filmmakers realised that. The script is good and focuses more on dialogues and characterisation than the story itself which is quite thin.

In all, the film is fun to watch like any other Ayushmann Khurrana film. But here you will find characters other than Kurrana far more funny and interesting.