Rajni Ki Baraat Movie Review: I was expecting a social drama with an unusual and empowering backdrop, and that’s what I see at least for a while. The concept of a bride to carry out her own wedding trip instead of waiting for the groom to come up is an instant attention grabber! A society in which weddings have become so sacred and unquestioned, it is a bold notion and a contemporary one. The film is determined to break the rules, to prompt discussion, to provoke thought: its goals are good, but so is not its execution in every instance.
The plot is set against the backdrop of culturally rich area of Darbhanga, Mithilanchal and the protagonist is the young “Rajni” (Ulka Gupta) who plays the story with conviction. Rajni is a school teacher who is passionately in love with Rajjan (Kanishk Vijay). Then the tale takes a strange turn and Rajni discovers that her horoscope says nothing ever would come to her for a wedding procession.
She doesn’t accept fate but sets out to change the rules herself. If no procession will come to her doorstep, she will take her own procession to the groom’s house. This is the emotional and ideological backbone of the movie. But between her and Rajjan is Malkhan Singh, a hardline cop who is hell bent on marrying his son into a noble and rich family. When the truth of the relationship between Rajni and Rajjan come to light, the conflict escalates and propels the story.
The most striking feature of the movie, for me, was its faithfulness to the forward-thinking theme. These accounts of the past of Mithilanchal and of Mother Sita’s swayamvar give the story a cultural dimension. These moments create an intriguing relationship between the old and the new, one that can be considered to be a challenge to the social norms and not an attempt to abandon one’s cultural roots. As it attempts to empower women and encourage independent thought, the film can sometimes come across as sincere.
But that’s where my biggest disappointment is as well. The plot is fascinating, but does not get fully developed in the screenplay. There are a number of dramatic moments which feel added too quickly, especially the social media campaign, which could have been more impactful and relevant to Rajni’s journey. The film suggests that there are bigger social conversations to have but doesn’t go into them with the depth they deserve. When it culminates in the climax, the problem that has the reader from the start seems insignificant, as it is overshadowed by the routine decisions in the story.
It is on Ulka Gupta’s shoulders that the film lives and she is the one who keeps the audience engaged even on the rare days of shoddy writing. She has the tenacity, warmth and emotional sincerity to make Rajni an easy choice to root for. The supporting cast is enhanced by veteran actors Zarina Wahab and Sunita Rajwar. Sadly, it is limited for Kanishk Vijay to have a strong impression. He seems kind of passive at times, and I was always like, “why doesn’t Rajjan fight for his love with the same determination as Rajni does?”
The film is a thoughtfully made one, under the direction of director Aditya Aman and Anuupam Purohit. I could see the passion behind the project and there were several instances when it was almost a compelling social statement. However, the ending is not emotionally charged enough to bring the tale to its conclusion. It ends up being a splendidly-dressed wedding party that always doesn’t arrive at its majestic location.
Though it has its shortcomings, the concept and the commitment of Ulka Gupta makes it worth watching Rajni Ki Baraat. It was courageous to break away from the norm, though I wanted more story. A film that’s ambitious and one that serves as a reminder: great idea is not sufficient. It is the road to the goal that is important as well as the goal itself.
Rating: 3/5
