It is a 2024 Indian Hindi language comedy drama film. Directed by Kiran Rao. Produced by Rao, Aamir Khan & Jyoti Deshpande. It stars Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam & Ravi Kishan.
It tells the story of two young newly-wed brides who get exchanged during a train journey to their husband ‘s home.
Made on a budget of around Rs. 4-5 crores it garnered around Rs 25. 26 crores. The film was screened at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival on 8 Sept. 2023. Later on March 2024 it was released in theaters.
It opened to positive reviews from critics & audiences. It was praised for it’s story, screen play & cast performances.
Rotten Tomatoes has rated it at 7.3 /10. For Indian Express, Shubhra Gupta gives it 3.5 of the 5 stars. ‘strongly beating feminist heart over rides the broad brush strokes’. Tushar Joshi of India Today gives it a 4/5 & saysit is a terrific watch simply because it is put together so well’. Rishil Jogani of Pinkvilla says ‘is funny, witty, entertaining & empowering. It is an extremely important film that utilises the power of cinema in the right way’.
It is Kiran Rao’s second directorial venture after ‘Dhobi Ghat’ in 2010. Aamir Khan discovered the story ‘Two Brides’ by Biplab Goswami at a script writing competition. The film is shot in Bamuliya & Dhamankheda (Dhankhedi) villagesin the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.
Local villagers were cast as secondary characters & the film was shot in actual houses in the area.
Nitanshi Goel as Phool Kumari is believable. The innocent, ‘gaon ki ladki’ she plays to the hilt. She is wearing her red sari all through. But looks at ease. Going back on train to her husband’s place,her beaming face needs no make up.
Pratibha Ranta as Jaya / Pushpa Rani has a glint in her eyes. Sizing up the situation she thinks of running away. But she watches Deepak pining for his wife & tries to help. She wants to study, organic farming at Dehradun.
Sparsh Shrivastava as Deepak Kumar is the groom who has lost his wife while travelling home. The mix up caused by the same red sarees is funny. The veils drawn on the face of the brides make it difficult to identify.
Chhaya kadam as Manju Maai is a jem. She is single, fearless & a solid anchor to the delicate Phool. She teaches her a thing or two about life.
And above all is the seasoned actor Ravi Kishan. As sub -inspector Shyam Manohar, he steals every frame he is in. The casual dialogue delivery, swagger, street smartness mind blowing.
Suddenly when he changes his stance, it is worth watching.
Today it made my day. It made me laugh, cry, worry a little & finally my mind was at rest. The good prevails.
We need more films like this.
Asian Entertainment 