Badhaai Ho - Why should only the Young have all the Fun !

#BadhaiHo : I grew up watching and falling in love with  Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee films . Most of their films were simple situational stories built around middle-class Indian families and their predicaments. Both told their stories with lots of heart and humour. They made you laugh and brought a lump to your throat. And I have always been a sucker of such kind of cinema. Amit Sharma  follows the same template in “Badhai Ho” while dealing with a larger social stigma . An elderly couple , with two grown up kids, expecting a third one can be an enticing premise . However handling it deftly with right amount of humour , sensitivity and candour to reach out to the larger audience needs lots of maturity and that is where Amit excels .  He of course had the support of some outstanding actors all of whom provide their deft touch to make Badhai Ho a delightful watch that drives a strong message.

Gajraj Rao  as the husband/father and Surekha Sikri as the cantankerous mother in law / dadi  have given their career best performances.  Their body language, mannerism and expressions are immaculate.  Its difficult to take your eyes off them. Watch out for the scene where Gajraj is being introduced to Sanya Malhotra  for the first time. This has to be the funniest scene in Hindi cinema in last few years. Both Gajraj and Surekha have been ably supported by Neena Gupta. Aayusman Khurana, after that terrific performance in Andhadhun, is once again back in his familiar territory of a young Delhi lad  thrust into an unfamiliar situation. And he continues to maintain his top form.  The relationship between the parents, the warmth and intimacy has been explored beautifully. I also liked the way the film has been shot, especially the scenes inside the house and in the kitchen. It gives a sense of familiarity.

Badhai Ho has lots of moments of genuine laughter even while it keeps exposing the hypocrisy of our society. And that is where the film triumphs. It drives home the point without hammering it on the audiences’ head. It is refreshing to see the relationship of between an elderly couple over shadowing the relationship between young Ayushman and Sanya because that often doesn’t happen in hindi cinema . The writing has been detailed and the dialogues razor sharp. It captures the quirkiness of being in an unfamiliar situation .

Badhai Ho is not only warm and humorous it is also socially conscious and intelligent.  It has some terrific performances that will keep you engaged through out. This festive season spread some goodness and laughter and stay away from judging people and situations. Hypocrisy is such a passé , isn’t it ! I will go out with four out of five for a film that beautifully explores intimacy of elderly people and dares bare the hypocrisy of a so-called progressive society. Go watch it with everyone . Afterall why should only the young have all the fun!