Bhool Chuk Maaf released in theatres on May 23 is directed by Karan Sharma and produced by Maddock Films, known for their successful films like Love Aaj Kal, Cocktail, Badlapur, Hindi Medium, Stree, Luka Chuppi, Bala, Mimi, Dasvi, and more recently Teri Baaton Main Aisa Uljha Jiya, Munjya and blockbusters like Stree 2 and Chhaava.
Story
Ranjan (Rajkummar Rao) and Titli (Wamiqa Gabbi) share a deep love, but Titli’s father (Zakir Hussain) disapproves of their relationship because Ranjan lacks a government job. When the couple is found attempting to elope, Titli’s father gives Ranjan a stern ultimatum: secure a government position within two months or face the consequences of Titli being married off to another man.
Understanding that landing a government job within that time frame is unlikely, Ranjan resorts to unethical means, enlisting the help of a dubious middleman, Bhagwan Das (Sanjay Mishra). His marriage gets arranged, but just when everything seems to be falling into place, Ranjan finds himself trapped in a time loop, forced to relive the same day over and over again. It appears that Destiny itself is against his marriage, and he must uncover the reasons behind this if he hopes to attain his happy ending.
Performances
Rajkummar Rao delivers an outstanding performance, showcasing his energy, confusion, and frustration throughout the various iterations of the same day. However, his portrayal of a ‘small-town UP boy’ is beginning to feel repetitive. From roles in films like Behen Hogi Teri, Stree, to Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, it has become a familiar archetype; perhaps it’s time to break away from it until he returns for Stree 3 and its spinoffs.
Wamiqa Gabbi shines as the possessive yet romantically inclined Titli. Though her character might appear annoying, this is a deliberate choice, and she embodies her role with consistency and style. A particularly memorable moment occurs near the climax when she experiences an emotional breakdown yet maintains her character’s childlike essence, a subtle but impressive touch.
Sanjay Mishra (as Bhagwandas) leaves a significant impression in a small part, while Ishtiyak Khan (Kishan) and Dheerendra Gautam (Hari) provide solid support and comic relief. Pragati Mishra also makes her mark. Other cast members, including Akash Makhija, Seema Pahwa, Raghubir Yadav, Zakir Hussain, Anubha Fatehpuria (Titli’s mother), Jay Thakkar (Sushil), Vineet Kumar (the priest), Himanshu Kohli (Jija), and others perform admirably. Dhanashree Verma (Jugni) stands out in her eye-catching item number.
Behind the scenes
Tanishk Bagchi’s music fails to leave a lasting impression, which is surprising given Maddock Films’ reputation for producing hit soundtracks. The song ‘Chor Bazari Phir Se’ is the only standout track. ‘Sawariya Tera’ and ‘Koi Naa’ are appealing largely because of their placement and visual representation, and the same can be said for ‘Hutt Badmaash.’ ‘Ting Ling Sajna,’ an item number, feels forced and forgettable. Ketan Sodha’s background score adds a quirky flair that aligns well with the film’s theme.
The cinematography by Sudeep Chatterjee is adequate, while the production design by Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty is stylish and realistic. Sheetal Iqbal Sharma’s costumes reflect authenticity. However, Manish Madan Pradhan’s editing could have been more concise.
Final Analysis
Karan Sharma presents a unique story, and while his screenplay (co-written with Haider Rizvi) has plenty of engaging and entertaining moments, it falls short in several instances. The dialogues penned by Sharma (with additional contributions from Rizvi) are sharp and humorous, but the abundance of toilet jokes could have been minimized.
As for Karan Sharma’s direction, it’s commendable, especially for a debut film. He strives to make the outlandish premise feel plausible, with several standout scenes, including chaos at the police station and Titli playfully challenging a potential suitor, followed by Ranjan’s dramatic entrance. The post-interval moment where Ranjan decides to approach everyone kindly is likely to resonate with viewers, and the conclusion is heartwarming.
Unfortunately, the film does have its flaws. The trailer reveals too much, making the enjoyable first half mostly predictable. The second half ventures into more unexpected territory, yet the pacing suffers at times, and some plot developments feel far-fetched. It stretches belief that Ranjan would take so long to grasp the concept of ‘nek kaarya,’ and it takes him too long to convince Hamid Ansari (played by Akash Makhija). Anyone in Ranjan’s position would likely have made a greater effort to resolve the situation rather than repeatedly jumping into the water.
Overall, Bhool Chuk Maaf is built on an intriguing premise and features an entertaining performance from Rajkummar Rao. However, it falters due to a predictable first half and uneven writing. At the box office, it may struggle, especially with its streaming release set for just two weeks after the premiere.
