Daadi Ki Shaadi Review: Indian cinema had a time when the wholesome family entertainers dominated the theaters, and people of all ages could sit together and enjoy them, full of laughter, emotions, chaos, romance and values. Gradually, that was lost in the face of the oversized action films and commercial-driven entertainment of the years. Giving rise to this sweetness is the theme of Daadi Ki Shaadi and it’s the spirit of this sweetness that I remember very well for missing all the time.
Ashish R. Mohan’s direction is not about being too complex, it’s not about being apologetic for it, it’s about being simple without any apologies. It’s about the simplicity being the greatest strength. I entered the theatre with the idea of a comedy drama and left with a smile on my face the whole time and a very warm, emotional and surprisingly ‘family’ entertainable theatre experience.
It is set around a young man, played by Kapil Sharma, from a large and active family who’s about to get married with the girl of his dreams. Wedding preparations commence, the household is buzzing with excitement and all seems to be going according to plan, a happy ending is in sight. Next follows the unexpected twist that turns the entire game of chess. The grandmother of the little girl suddenly decides she would like to get married. The family is in a dilemma over this discovery, since it directly impacts on the younger couple’s wedding plans.
The story of the film then takes another gentle turn towards its emotional intrigue. Which man does the grandmother wish to marry? From where did he come? What emotional “trash” is holding them up? Is the wedding going to take place? In all this chaos, will Kapil Sharma’s character get married or not? The movie cleverly throws questions and teases the drama from an emotional angle till the ending.
The best thing was the balance of humour and emotions in the movie without any one of them being forced. Daadi Ki Shaadi is a fun and sentimental family drama, but nothing overly preachy or melodramatic. The screenplay keeps generating moments which resonate with the audience in the context of Indian traditional values and familial culture. The humour is on the right track, mainly due to Kapil Sharma’s comic timing. Presence is a great asset in scenes and he’s just right to keep dialogue lively rather than make it a stand-up routine. There’s a level of honesty he has in this which is very nice and just as effective even during passionate scenes.
His chemistry with Sadia Khateeb proved to be most unexpectedly charming. Sadia embodies innocence and softness which make her character instantly likable. Their little romantic moments are sweet and natural. I really liked the way she reacts to the confusion in her marriage. Her performance of expressions when she says things such as “Oh no, my marriage may not happen” really gives the story emotional flavour. This is not wild or elaborate love! It’s cute, comforting and refreshingly simple.
However, it’s Neetu Singh who is the biggest emotional anchor in the film. She is a multi-layered performance that breathes life into the story. Her character is mysterious, vulnerable and emotional all in one. The whole time she is in the movie, the viewer is asking herself why she suddenly wants to get married at her age? The screenplay is cleverly withheld of details, and suspense works well. Slowly the film pulls off an emotional escalator as the truth behind her decision slowly emerges. When the payoff comes and the twist is finally exposed it’s satisfying and heartfelt, not dramatic.
Cinematically it’s also quite authentic. The locations in Modern Cinema are often too artificial and the use of too much visual effect, but Daadi Ki Shaadi is a big help because of its natural locations. Films are beautifully shot, and the scenery and authentic settings imbue the movie with a warmth of life. I really liked seeing the shots from these natural films as it is like they hadn’t been edited up too much and were just plain comfortable because of where they were filmed and the environment. This down-to-earth vibe lends to the viewing an emotional depth.
It is well handled by director Ashish R. Mohan, who has directed many other films, including Khiladi 786. He avoids the excesses of comedy or volume of emotion; he’s serious and speaks with the heart. Family values, relationships and emotional connections are openly celebrated and are not sounded old fashioned in the film. I also enjoyed the narrative’s ability to never forget to entertain along the way with the emotional beats. The film flows well with songs, humour, romance, drama and suspense all working harmoniously with one another.
What really touched my heart was the fact that Daadi Ki Shaadi is aware of its audience very well. It is not trying to remake film or come up with a social message wrapped in a film. Rather, it’s about ensuring the viewer will have a healthy theatrical experience that the whole family can enjoy together. Given the current movie culture, that’s a breath of fresh air. The movie is warm, innocent and emotionally sincere that many modern entertainers lack in their films.
If Kapil Sharma is the fan favourite, then this movie is another fun opportunity to see him light up the movie screen. It offers family entertainment in the form of laughter, feeling, romance and mystery. For me and other viewers who like the clean-hearted family entertainers Bollywood has been slowly phasing out in years, Daadi Ki Shaadi is akin to a soothing reminder of the days gone by.
Was able to leave the theatre feeling truly entertained and emotionally fulfilled. This is a type of movie that makes families laugh on the way home and if the film makes the family laugh on the way home, then it’s worth the watch.
Rating: 3.8/5
