An Endearing Dramedy

Film: Badhaai Ho

Date of Release in India: 18 Oct 2018

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Neena Gupta, Surekha Sikri, Sanya Malhotra, Gajraj Rao, Sheeba Chaddha 

Writers: Akshat Ghildial, Shantanu Srivastava, Jyoti Kapoor

Director: Amit Sharma

Producers: Amit Sharma, Vinit Jain

Music: Tanishk Bagchi, Rochak Kohli, JAM8

My Rating: 4.5/5

I've been feasting on some excellent movies off late. The latest one I savoured was "Badhaai Ho", an engaging dramedy about a 20-something, middle-class guy who is appalled and embarrassed when he learns about his middle-aged parents' unplanned pregnancy! The first half of the movie is a laugh-riot and I just couldn't take my eyes off Ayushmann Khurrana (Nakul) - what an outstanding actor and what an endearing smile 😍❤️! 
The funny dialogues ensure plenty of ROFL moments in the film. However, some of the scenes in the first half are repetitive and the story could've been tauter. But the drama that unfolds post-interval makes this a must-watch movie. The emotional exchanges between the family members have been portrayed beautifully. The scene where the usually bickering mother-in-law (Surekha Sikri) stands up for her daughter-in-law (Neena Gupta), who was being cornered by relatives for her accidental pregnancy, is heart-warming. Sikri wins all with her inimitable style and Gupta's expressions make you emotional. You are sure to have some moist-eyed moments :). 
I enjoyed the non-verbal communication between the family members the most. Sanya Malhotra (Renee), Sheeba Chaddha (Renee's mother), Gajraj Rao (Nakul's father), and Shardul Rana (Nakul's younger brother) are fabulous! Kudos to the writers for the innovative screenplay. Subtly criticising social stigmas and knitting some progressive thoughts, wittily showing that passionate love has no age - director Amit Sharma's 'Badhaai Ho' is brilliant! Don't miss it!

A Gripping Murder Mystery

Film: Andhadhun

Date of Release in India: 5 October 2018

Cast: Tabu, Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan

Writers: Sriram Raghavan, Hemanth Rao, Pooja Ladha Surti, Arijit Biswas, Yogesh Chandekar

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Producers: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, Matchbox Pictures

Music: Amit Trivedi, Raftaar

My Rating: 4/5

'Andhadhun' is a gripping tale of a budding, visually-challenged pianist whose presence at the crime scene when a couple of murders are committed, makes this a unique suspense-thriller. The opening hooks you and the brilliant storytelling keeps you glued to your seat. The unpredictable characters surprise you throughout the movie, but they never seem out-of-character!

Ayushman Khurrana looks fabulous and delivers one of his finest performances 😍. Radhika Apte shines too. Anil Dhawan excels in his brief role as a yesteryear filmstar. The lottery-seller Marathi mausi's portrayal has a 'Bob Biswas-like' sinister thrill to it :). To top it all, the versatile Tabu stuns you with her delightfully devilish performance as Simi.

Though I loved the movie, I feel that the 10 minutes before the last scene were vague and hurried-up. But that doesn't take anything away from the remaining 2 hours of fast-paced action, thrill, and suspense. Brilliant dialogues, soulful piano recitals, a nostalgic piano tribute to Bollywood at the end of the movie - kudos to Sriram Raghavan for this edgy, unforgettable thriller.