Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Review: A Glamorous yet Flawed Masala Film

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Review:

“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” marks Karan Johar‘s return to directing after seven years and brings back the grandeur of his cinematic style. The film promises a mix of rich families, emotions, love, and flashy dance numbers, but it falls short of living up to its high expectations. While it showcases the contrasting worlds of the protagonists, Rocky and Rani, and their attempts to unite their grandparents, it suffers from being excessively preachy and reliant on clichés.

A Slow Start and Abundant Preaching:

At a lengthy 168 minutes, the film takes too long to engage the audience fully. The first half, especially, feels like a drag, and the love story between Rocky and Rani seems rushed and poorly developed. The film struggles to provide a convincing reason for Rocky’s grandmother’s acceptance of her husband meeting his ex-lover.

Furthermore, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” is weighed down by an excessive amount of preaching and messaging. While it addresses important topics like feminism and gender equality, it ends up overwhelming the core love story and family drama. The inclusion of controversial and distasteful scenes detracts from the film’s essence and feels forced.

Solid Performances and Emotional Depth:

Despite its flaws, the film boasts some commendable performances. Ranveer Singh shines as the flamboyant and boisterous Punjabi, and Alia Bhatt impresses as the ambitious TV journalist. Jaya Bachchan’s portrayal of the strict matriarch stands out, and Shabana Azmi adds gravitas to her character. The supporting cast delivers convincing performances, with Anjali Anand providing a breath of fresh air as Rocky’s sister.

Karan Johar’s Direction:

Karan Johar’s direction is on point, blending emotions and humor effectively. He skillfully showcases the strength of his actors and creates an immersive experience. However, the film’s excessive length and lack of focus on key aspects hinder its overall impact.

Clichés and Stereotypes:

One major drawback of “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” is its reliance on clichés and stereotypes. The portrayal of Punjabis as loud and uncivil and Bengalis as overly educated and intellectual reinforces tired tropes. Bollywood’s perpetuation of such clichés is a disappointment.

Verdict:

“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” is a visually extravagant film that brings back Karan Johar’s signature style. It explores a captivating love story but gets bogged down by excessive preaching and stereotyping. The strong performances and emotional moments redeem the film to some extent, making it worth a watch for fans of masala films. However, its runtime and lack of focus on key aspects prevent it from becoming the ideal entertainer it aspired to be.

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