Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana Hindi Movie Review

In the midst of a dated script and a contrived narrative Rajkumar Rao stands tall trying in every cinematic moment to salvage this anti dowry women empowerment cliché. Does he stand tall!! Well beyond his physical stature and box office draw this actor who has occupied the Amol Palekar space does a predictably honest translation. More on that later.
An aspiring government clerk Satyender (Raj Kumar) goes through the motions of a middle class arranged marriage. Even as he walks the beaten path, the families are through a typical take on matrimony. The bride to be Aarti (Kriti Kharbanda) is determined to marry the man the family has chosen but still dreams of being a career person. Her parents (Govind Ramdeo and Navini Parihaar) are told to get the dowry in place. Maternal uncle (Manoj Pahwa) is around to help. The groom’s Dad Jugal Kishore (K.K. Raina) gives into domestic demands for dowry. Even as the preps for the wedding is on way, sis Abha (Nayani Dixit – energetic lively performance) walks in. Minutes before the wedding things go wrong. Aarti chooses her career and walks away, leaving behind the non-ambitious Satyender high and dry. It is half time.
Also, time for a V change in patterns attitude and lifestyle. The laid back Satyender is now the District Magistrate. Aarti as the Sub Registrar gets involved in a land scam. Her dreams come crashing down as the DM is the Enquiry Officer. He takes advantage and decides to avenge the rejection that remains and returns to haunt. Her career and reputation are at stake. Life comes a full circle. Every attempt on her part to apologise and make amends only leads to further humiliation. The relationship, over the years has collected huge bitterness. Will it hold sway and get the better of the relationship, will it be the sloppy filmy conclusion, watch out.
Like a typical shaadi, it has its highs and lows. No, this is not the Sooraj Bharjatiya type of Shaadi – the videographer’s delight. It also is not the hurting vivisection of Basu Bhattacharyya. The film has two contrasting spells. One where the lady is central, lively, spirited and aggressively leading her fiancé. The later is when she is transformed into a hapless doormat. Some flesh and authenticity would have done the script a world of good and given it credibility. Here the film falls on its face.
While Kriti tries hard, she does not have the wherewithal to be the town girl moving to high places with a dream in her eyes and a hidden desire in her heart. Raj Kumar on the other hand is a class act. Just like Amol who played the boy next door in Basu Chaterjee films suddenly transformed into evil in Bhumika and Agaar this actor is so complete, so perfect, so endearing that you yearn for more, nay only of him. Watch this film as a salute to great acting and a wonderful actor.
L. Ravichander.