Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan movie review: Will Ayushmann Khurrana deliver yet another hit?
Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan releases in theaters today. The Hitesh Kewalya directorial also stars Jitendra Kumar, Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta and Manu Rishi. The film’s plot revolves around the love story of two men who are trying to convince their family to accept their relationship. The film releases alongside Vicky Kaushal starrer Bhoot: The Haunted Ship.
Ayushmann Khurrana earlier told indianexpress.com, “Our film is one of its kind. It is a giant leap for Indian cinema where we are portraying two men as homosexuals, and we are very front-footed about it. It is also the reaction of the family when they find out that their son is gay.”
Khurrana added, “Though we have seen films which are based on homosexuality in the past, this is probably the first commercial attempt in Hindi cinema. With Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, we are not preaching to those who are converted. We are creating a brand new thought process for the average regressive Indian audience.”
Director Hitesh Kewalya told indianexpress.com, “Films on homosexuality were always being made. However, your take or the point of view changes because you cannot go against the law. Even if the law is not anymore relevant in the current times, you cannot really take a call on it. When Supreme Court decriminalized Article 377, it gave validation to the fact that you can tell your stories about a very basic aspect of human nature without feeling hindered in any way.”
Highlights
The Indian Express film critic Shalini Langer gave the film 3.5 stars. She wrote, "At the same time, the chase of love is what Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is all about. Love that could spring between two men Kartik and Aman (Khurrana is good, but Kumar is almost heartbreakingly fragile; full marks to the former for allowing the film to be so much about the latter). Love that ultimately binds families together, and shows up in unexpected ways. Love that goes beyond Romeo & Juliet, Shirin & Farhad, Jack & Jill, even Simran & Raj. Love that sees no colour/class, or the gender of the hand reaching out to help you into a running train."
Actor Huma Qureshi tweeted, "Saw #ShubhMangalZyadaSaavdhan congratulations to
@aanandlrai
@cypplOfficial
for backing content that is both fun and audacious.
@ayushmannk
kudos for picking subjects like this ... more power to you! Welcome director saab
@hiteshkewalya."
Not everybody, it seems, is enamoured of Ayushmann's latest film. A Twitter user Sakshi Denis wrote, "#ShubhMangalZyadaSaavdhan Weak script, screenplay, dialogues; good concept; repetitive acting by #AyushmanKhurrana; plays on same old small town setting. One-time watch."
A Twitter user Vivek Verma wrote, "#ShubhMangalZyadaSaavdhan Men holding hands♥
Rating: Glowing starGlowing starGlowing starGlowing star/5
This is a fantastic film with a superb ScreenPlay and Storyline...
@ayushmannk
and Jitendra kumar done a great job.. other actors performances are also good.. This film will become Super-Hit and collect 100 cr+.."
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Ayushmann Khurrana said, "There is nothing in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan that you cannot watch with your family. There is a kissing scene but nothing beyond that. It is a family film."
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Manu Rishi said, "The major responsibility of showing homophobia was with Gajraj Rao, who plays my elder brother. It is a common fear, and people refuse to even think about it. My character also has a certain level of homophobia, like I am unable to speak the word ‘gay’. But personally, I don’t see myself at that level because we began our journey with theatre and our thoughts were moulded accordingly. We learned to give the same respect to such relationships. I got an opportunity to grow with this film. I was prepared to accept it as an expression of love."
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Ayushmann Khurrana talks about Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, and the need to create a brand new thought process for the regressive Indian audience. He said, "Our film is one of its kind. It is a giant leap for Indian cinema where we are portraying two men as homosexuals, and we are very front-footed about it. It is also the reaction of the family when they find out that their son is gay. The comments that we have got on YouTube for our trailer are unanimously positive. It is a very healthy sign for Indian cinema and our society in general. This film could be like an induction for the Indian audience. It is not something that is very serious. It is mainstream and commercial. It is a popcorn entertainer."
Neha Dhupia wrote on Twitter, "All the best ... truly you two are the nicest and the best in the business ... all the best @ayushmannk @vickykaushal09 #ShubhMangalZyaadaSaavdhan #bhoot."
"Mubarak ho biwi for your debut film โคโค you have acted really well (Saying this as your senior ๐) and looking v pretty in the film(Saying this as your husband๐๐) .. Guys it’s a brave entertaining film #SHUBHMANGALZYADASAAVDHAN .. A must watch ๐ @Panawasthy_31" TV actor Gautam Rode tweeted.
Gauahar Khan watched the Ayushmann Khurrana starrer on Thursday and shared on Instagram, "So I watched Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan! Pankhuri you were lovely as Kusum. Good luck and lots of love! Guys, please watch the film. Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao just killed it together." She also wrote, "I am such a huge fan of Gajraj Rao ji. He is, as usual, brilliant in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan."
Before Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, we have had queer characters that have touched hearts and made us think. (By and large, the rainbow is missing in cinema, but still the recent spike in LGBTQ films is a welcome change). Here's a list of gay/lesbian movies that you ought to see if you haven't already.
1. Kapoor & Sons (2016)
In one crucial scene from the film, the mother played by Ratna Pathak Shah fails to understand how her son (Pakistani heartthrob, Fawad Khan) could be in love with another man. She has stumbled upon her son’s photos in his laptop. Her world-has-come-crashing-down reaction tells you why he couldn’t have come out in a family like the Kapoors, not even to his mother — especially, not to his mother. A well-enacted and evocative scene in a finely-made film that explores all the secrets lurking behind the Kapoor family facade.
Read the full list here.
Talking to indianexpress.com about her role in the movie, Neena Gupta shared, "I played a mother in Badhaai Ho, and in this one, I play a mother to Jitender Kumar’s character. My character is very different to what I played in Badhaai Ho.”
Film producer Tanuj Garg watched the movie and wrote on Twitter, "Watched #ShubhMangalZyadaSaavdhan. It's funny, real & audacious. Every member of the ensemble cast is in splendid form. @ayushmannk is endearing and effortless, and getting increasingly uninhibited with every gig. @farjigulzar is an absolute star. Proud of you @hiteshkewalya!"
Filmmaker Guneet Monga watched Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and wrote, "Fantastic performances by everyone but I died laughing with the banter between my favourites @Neenagupta001and @SunitaRajwar! So good to see @Farjigulzar get his due with such a lovely film! Congratulations @aanandlrai sir, Himanshu Sharma, Kanupriya, @hiteshkewalya and the entire team of #ShubhMangalZyadaSaavdhan for breaking the stereotype and acing it like a boss! ๐And @ayushmannk for always being ahead of the curve!"
Hina Khan attended the special screening of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and shared a photo with actor Sunita Rajwar. Along with the photo, she wrote, "You were fab in the film! Especially, your punches."
"EVERY Human being MUST see #ShubhMangalZyaadaSaavdhan !!! It’s HILARIOUS but so so brave and such an imp film for same sex love equality and rights. ๐๐๐๐ bravo @ayushmannk @Farjigulzar @itsBhushanKumar @hiteshkewalya @aanandlrai @raogajraj @Neenagupta001 @TSeries," Milap Zaveri tweeted.
"And @aanandlrai @cypplOfficial as always we are ready for the zyada celebration sir :) Team #ShubhMangalZyadaSavdhaan @Neenagupta001 @raogajraj @maanvigagroo @manurishichadha congratulations and aapke sundar parivaar se milne ke liye hum taiyaar hai," Bhumi Pednekar wrote in another tweet.
Bhumi Pednekar who played the lead role in 2017 film Shubh Mangal Saavdhan sent good wishes to team Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan via Twitter. She wrote, "Dearest Kartik and Aman, Your love is eternal and it’s going to leave an everlasting impression on the world. I can’t wait to celebrate your union today Heart suit @ayushmannk @Farjigulzar So proud ๐๐ป All the best @hiteshkewalya... Aapki suggu ka aashirwad hai Smiling face with smiling eyes."
Ayushmann Khurrana wished good luck to Vicky Kaushal for Bhoot. He tweeted, "Ek hi din hum dono bhai aa rahe hain! Dher saara pyaar aur sammaan, Lekar aa rahe hain Vicky aur Ayushmann. Bhoot aur Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. Hugging face๐๐ป"
"#ShubhMangalZyaadaSaavdhan is a victory for cinema and artists that after years of stereotyping homosexuality a film has broken the mould! Many of us including myself have been guilty of using this for humor but this film ENTERTAINS and EDUCATES with RESPECT and DIGNITY!" tweeted Milap Zaveri.
Girish Johar pegged the first-day collection of Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan at Rs 8-9 crores. He said, "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is a bigger film with a wider target audience. With its comic element, it is targeting the youth and families. Also, the story is set in interior India, thereby making it widely acceptable. Ayushmann is on a roll, and whatever he touches is turning into gold. So, I am pretty confident that this time too he will have another winner in his hands.”
In his other tweet, Milap Zaveri was all praise of the supporting cast of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. He wrote, "The supporting cast of #ShubhMangalZyadaSaavdhan is PRICELESS! Manu Rishi is BRILLIANT @maanvigagroo is FAB And @Panawasthy_31 is the FIND of the year!!! She is MINDBLOWING!!! @SunitaRajwar is HILARIOUS ๐๐๐๐๐๐"
"The choices @ayushmannk makes are applause worthy! #ShubhMangalZyadaSaavdhan is one such choice. Here is a Star who is so socially aware and brave! And he is BRILLIANT as always in entertaining us while enlightening us!!! Genuinely Ayushmann Bhava ๐๐๐๐ค๐ค๐ค," filmmaker Milap Zaveri said via Twitter.
Sumeet Vyas posted on Twitter, "For the love of #jeetu #tvf reunion... #shubhmangalzyadasaavdhan the film is a laugh riot... a complete family entertainer... @ayushmannk in top form. I think he can convince even the unconvincibles to take a chance on love and #genderequity @jitendrak1 #astarisborn"