A neverending ride with too many detours
Imagine this ― a jodi-breaker, known for breaking couples apart, suddenly finds himself in the same situation, when his own girlfriend wants to break up with him. Talk about irony! This poor lad is in for a rude awakening, when she hires him for the job.
Luv Ranjan’s patent formula film is a blend of family values and coming-of-age romance, taking you on a wild ride full of ups and downs. But be warned, sometimes it feels the ride is never-ending. The story touches on the fragility of relationships and how sometimes, even the most unexpected events can force us to grow and mature.
The lead actor, Ranbir Kapoor, goes by not one, not two, but three different names ― Rohan, Mickey, and Jeetendra. As you watch the film, you’ll find yourself playing a game of name-tag detective, trying to figure out which name he’s going by in any given scene. But it’s not just the male lead who’s got multiple names ― Shraddha Kapoor’s character is also known as Nisha and Tinny, and her best friend Kinchi (played by Monica Chaudhary) may or may not have a completely different nicknames altogether. This film is a maze of nicknames and aliases, and it’s up to you to navigate through it all. But don’t worry, the mystery and intrigue only add to the fun of this thrilling ride.
So buckle up and get ready to dive into the world of Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (TJMM), where nothing is quite as it seems and nicknames are the name of the game.
The story revolves around Ranbir Kapoor (aka Mickey) and Anubhav Singh Bassi (aka Manu) who are more than just wealthy socialites ― they’re relationship break-up consultants! But when they travel to Spain for Manu’s bachelor party, they end up getting more than they bargained for.
Accompanying them on their adventure is Shraddha Kapoor (aka Tinni), a close friend of Manu’s fiancée Monica Chaudhary (aka Kinchi). But what starts as a fun-filled getaway takes an unexpected turn when Mickey and Tinni find themselves falling for each other.
Back home, the two lovers face a new challenge as they introduce each other to their respective families. But as they navigate the highs and lows of their newfound romance, they also find themselves caught up in the emotional rollercoaster of breakups, makeups, and everything in between.
TJMM is a romantic comedy that will have you laughing, crying, and cheering for our lovable cast of characters as they navigate the ups and downs of love and relationships. So come along for the ride and see what happens when two heartbreakers become the ones falling in love.
It is a delightful cinematic experience that hits all the right notes. With its talented ensemble cast, peppy music, and stunning locations in Gurugram and Spain, the movie is a feast for the senses.
Ranbir Kapoor, in particular, shines in his portrayal of a broken character. His nuanced performance speaks volumes without saying a word. This role is a departure from his usual fare, but he adapts with ease to the frothy romance, constant monologue, and excessive talking that are hallmarks of the genre. It’s fascinating to see how his character evolves over the course of the film, and his on-screen chemistry with Shraddha Kapoor, while not perfect, still manages to sizzle.
Speaking of Shraddha, she delivers a spirited and uninhibited performance that is a joy to watch. Shraddha who looks vivacious, alluring and sizzling, makes sure that the audience not only notice her as the gorgeous leading lady, but also laud her performance, even though, her character totally lacks logic. Meanwhile, a veteran actor like Dimple Kapadia is wasted in a character that is shallow, loud and doesn’t offer her any meat. Knowing the fact that she has impressed her fans in many films, TJMM is not a movie where her character will be remembered. Hasleen Kaur is strictly average while Boney Kapoor unfortunately gets very little to do.
The ‘somewhat’ saving grace of the film is its effectively placed dialogue here and there, and a second half that saves the film from being just another run-of-the-mill rom-com. This movie is a testament to the power of love, relationships, and the importance of being true to oneself.
Anubhav Singh Bassi, the celebrated stand-up comedian, makes his Bollywood debut with TJMM, bringing his trademark humour to the movie’s witty dialogue. However, while his lines are sure to make you laugh, his delivery leaves something to be desired. It seems as though he’s rushing through his lines and his performance lacks the nuance and depth that could have taken it to the next level. Despite Bassi’s lackluster performance, it’s clear that he had the potential to be a standout in the film. Unfortunately, it feels as though director Luv Ranjan simply included him in the cast to capitalise on Bassi’s fan following, rather than truly integrating him into the story. Overall, while Bassi’s performance may fall short, TJMM is still a fun and enjoyable romantic comedy that will have you laughing and rooting for the characters until the very end.
The first half of TJMM is like a never-ending tunnel with too many unnecessary detours. Luv Ranjan’s signature long monologues lose their charm and start feeling like a drag, as if they are there just to fill in the gaps. The movie could definitely use a little trimming, so chopping off 30 minutes wouldn’t hurt anyone.
TJMM is like a game of golf that takes a while to set up and by the time you are getting invested in the story, the intermission hits you like a curveball. The movie leaves you with more questions than answers, like why is Ranbir, a successful businessman, indulging in the side business of breaking up relationships? And how did he and Shraddha not recognise each other while consulting over the phone? It all seems a bit bizarre.
Towards the end, the film attempts to emphasise the importance of family bonds and relations, but the bond between Ranbir and Dimple Kapadia, who plays his mother, has not been sufficiently established by the director. As a result, the audience feels detached from their emotions in the climax. Luv Ranjan’s direction is average, as he struggles in the first half but slightly improves in the second half. While in all his previous movies, he had only one monologue, which became his signature style, here he has included so many that they become tedious to listen to. Pritam’s music is in full swing, and all six songs are fantastic. They are perfectly placed, and we enjoy listening to them even after the movie is over. The cinematography is commendable, and while the editing is weak in the first half, it is slightly improved in the second.
Luv Ranjan, the director started his career with a small film titled Pyaar Ka Punchnama. Not too many expectations were attached to the film, yet it became a moderate hit, while Luv created a brand for himself. In his films friendship comes before love and girlfriends are conniving.
But TJMM’s crowd-pleasing moments to help it to sail through.
The film also features Luv Ranjan’s favourites i.e. Kartik Aryan and Nushrat Bharucha; they both take the energy to the next level. The scene where Kartik Aryan and Ranbir Kapoor are together, Kartik takes away all the spotlight. He adds the kind of energy that Luv Ranjan movies ooze. In a hardly 4 to 5 minutes long screen presence, the audience cannot shrug him off their mind ― he owns the stage. Ditto for Nushrat Bharucha, it looks like she stepped out of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, as she delivers a solid performance justifying the character that she plays.
There are hits and misses in the film that might have turned out better if the right casting was considered. Also, the film fails to create emotional connect with the characters, whether they are main leads i.e. Ranbir and Shraddha or Dimple, Boney and others. The flaky concept could not impress the audience at large and the movie misses hard-hitting punches that are a signature of Luv Ranjan’s ventures.
The film is aimed at the youth, blending Luv Ranjan's signature ingredients with Pritam's chart-topping music. The film delivers a powerful message on family values for today’s young generation, weaving together emotions and comedy in a unique and entertaining way. So, if you are a fan of Luv Ranjan’s movies sans Kartik Aryan in the lead role then there are possibilities that you might like the film. Although, hardcore fans will be a little disappointed.
Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui is an avid movie buff, and film and drama critic and a digital inbound marketer. He tweets as www.twitter.com/shafiqulhasan81. All information and facts are the responsibility of the writer