Pati Patni Aur Woh Review: The loudest reaction was not on a punch line but when the mood of Pati Patni Aur Woh Do went for a sudden turn for the interval. Until then, the film effortlessly goes through the motions of a typical relationship comedy, complete with Ayushmann Khurrana’s signature comic timing, marital chaos and more. The script then subtly changes course and draws the audience into a much more unpredictable direction. That shift in a good way encapsulates why this movie is so effective.
The humour is kept grounded by director Mudassar Aziz, with a mindless exaggeration of anything going against the grain, and the performances help add to that charm. The emotional moments are filled with warmth and spark from Wamiqa Gabbi and the unexpected delight from Rakul Preet Singh only add to the delight, while Ayushmann Khurrana continues to prove why he is one of the safest hands in today’s mainstream Hindi cinema.
The narrative is set in Prayagraj, and the protagonist, Prajapati Pandey (Ayushmann Khurrana), seems to have a life that is just as stable as can be. He has a vibrant conjugal life with his television journalist wife Aparna and a comfortable career with the help of his close friend Nilofer. He has a lively marriage with a television journalist Aparna, and has a comfortable work life with the help of his close friend Nilofer.
There is harmony in everything until Chanchal comes into his life and wreaks havoc around him. The film cunningly plays upon her presence and slowly transforms into a comedy of confusion, miscommunication and emotions. I found the script to be very interesting as it continually added in new complications without ever losing the emotion of the story. The creators obviously wanted the viewers to laugh, but also to be interested in what happens next in the story and for the most part, they have a great balance.
I was really impressed with the comic situations, however, the writing. Witty banter, awkward confrontations and well-timed reactions abound in the film and they had me laughing out loud several times in the theatre. The latter half is quite entertaining and the first half is very entertaining. The chemistry between Ayushmann and Rakul Preet Singh is so playful and frisky that there’s another layer of chaos being added to the mix and the husband wife chemistry between Wamiqa Gabbi and Ayushmann feels natural, energetic and relatable. It’s their scenes together that add a lot of flavour to the story and keeps the momentum going.
The sequence of intervals is noteworthy as it actually alters the film’s energy level. But when I thought I knew where this story was going, the movie throws in a twist in the second half, raising excitement even more. From there, the suspense increases to a greater degree so that the script plays with the audience’s surprise until the end. I certainly didn’t think it would be about so much mystery and unpredictability, but it worked it in its favour. The tension is well-prepared and the humour is held up to the end, with the climax landing well.
One cannot miss of Ayushmann Khurrana again proving why he is one of the most reliable actors of mainstream Hindi films. His timing is always perfect, and the confusion, panic and desperation of his character are so done, that they are believable. I liked watching the craziness in his body language and expressions. He has a sure grip on the film and maintains its momentum at all times. Wamiqa Gabbi is excellent as a sweet, funny and warm actress. Screen presence and confidence are also solid from Sara Ali Khan.
But my surprise package was Rakul Preet Singh. Her character and her interpretation of this is so enjoyable that it was quite unexpected. Adding unpredictability to the story, her scenes become more and more fun as the film goes on.
I greatly looked forward to her snuck in because she alters the dynamic of each scene she comes into.
The understated extras are not to be overlooked either. Tigmanshu Dhulia and Vijay Raaz add character to the film. The two actors know just how far to push the comedy without going over the top. They do their fair share to enhance the drama with humour and depth. Even the lesser-known supporting actors are memorable, since almost everyone is given a moment to shine in the movie.
The best part about this film is it never gets old. Many modern-day commercial entertainers go for the noise and exaggerated action, but this film has a more character based style of humour and situational comedy. That would certainly make it a lot more fun for those who are seeking a relaxed, family-friendly theatrical experience. I came out of the film feeling really entertained – which is a big deal these days.
The appeal of Pati Patni Aur Woh Do for me is that the movie provides exactly what it says it will: laughter, confusion, romance, suspense and great performances, in a very entertaining film. The entire cast adds to the memorable experience, with Ayushmann Khurrana taking the entire show. It’s a fun film with a bit of twists that will make you smile while also surprising you.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
