'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' review: Smooth ride on a rocky road

Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani graced the silver screen, promising to deliver a quintessential Bollywood experience reminiscent of the classics — we’re talking those of the late 90s and early 2000s. The film also marks the return of the remarkable Karan Johar to the director's chair, raising expectations even more.

One could hardly refrain from comparing Ranveer Singh's portrayal of a romantic hero with that of the King of Romance - Shah Rukh Khan. But as the movie kicks off, it's crystal clear that Ranveer's Rocky Randhawa is a whole different ballgame - miles away from Shah Rukh's classic lover boy roles.

Rocky’s dialogues, though over-the-top, seamlessly mesh with the film's larger-than-life narrative, creating a character that feels both authentic and endearing – a true embodiment of a modern Punjabi boy.

Now Alia Bhatt has been serving quite the looks with her sarees but let’s talk character. Taking over the other titular role, Rani is a fierce Bengali feminist who's on a mission to change the way people think, talk and treat women. Her intro scene, where she goes all-out on a politician during a national TV showdown is reminiscent of the Anil Kapoor and Amrish Puri showdown from Nayak. But here’s the thing: Alia’s performance feels parallel to her previous stellar acts. Despite being the biggest actress in Bollywood right now, Ranveer’s performance manages to outshine hers — but maybe because it is supposed to.

The inclusion of veteran actors Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan adds an undeniable vintage touch, and their presence weaves an age-old love story within the larger narrative. Dharmendra's endearing portrayal of Kanwal leaves a lasting impression despite limited screen time, while Shabana Azmi's Jamini could have benefited from a deeper arc. Jaya Bachchan's Dhanlaxmi is what Amitabh Bachchan was to Yashvardan Raichand — though extending forgiveness to the former might not come as easily.

Family is an indispensable aspect of any Karan Johar-film, and Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani doesn't disappoint on that front. The movie delves into the interplay of contrasting family ideologies – Rocky's patriarchal clan against Rani's matriarchal family. In an ambitious stride, KJo’s film addresses pressing issues such as fat-shaming, racism, forced marriages, misogyny and gender stereotypes. But it doesn't quite nail the landing on all of them. The execution of these complex themes feels somewhat half-hearted, leaving you with the sense that there's untapped potential waiting to be explored.

The film's music has been stirring quite the debate as well, especially around the track What Jhumka. But the song seems to be a strategic move to exhibit Reel-power. After all, everyone on social media was jumping on the bandwagon to recreate the viral dance routine. Leaving that aside, Ve Kamleya stood out as the crowning jewel, closely followed by Tum Kya Mile. While some of the nostalgia-driven musical elements – for example, incorporating old classics such as Abhi Na Jao Chor Kar – work effectively, there are instances where the film stretches the sentiment too far. And since nepotism is a hallmark of KJo's films, brace yourself for cringy and totally unnecessary cameo appearances by some star kids. We recommend skipping through this part of the film.

Despite its title, the heart of the film doesn’t belong to Rocky and Rani. There's another prem kahani simmering beneath the surface — a tale that managed to captivate hearts. But in the end, the film's saving grace undeniably lies in Ranveer's performance as Rocky Randhawa. His colourful and sometimes blinding portrayal overshadows the movie's flaws, carrying it on his shoulders with unmatched fervour. And God knows what happened to Dhanlaxmi, we still need closure from that.

While Karan’s Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani may not be a flawless masterpiece — not like all his movies are anyway — it captures moments of brilliance amid its narrative imperfections. Comparisons to the legendary Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham are inevitable, but is it 2023’s K3G? Nah-uh! Nothing can come close to K3G. In fact, KJo himself cannot whip up the same mojo again.

As audiences in Pakistan eagerly await its Amazon Prime Video release — no thanks to the Bollywood ban that has been plaguing the country’s cinemas and film industry since 2019 — it’s evident that Ranveer’s Rocky Randhawa will remain a standout memory from this ambitious cinematic venture.

Verdict: - Watch it for Rocky Randhawa and Rocky Randhawa alone.

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