Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Review: Directed by Karan Johar has been released in cinemas on Friday. Karan, who has been making family and romantic films, has successfully combined both genres this time. Watching actors from different generations together is a delightful experience. However, the story feels dragged at some places.
Movie Review:
Title: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Rating: 2.5
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, Amir Bashir
Director: Karan Johar
Producers: Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar
Writer: Ishita Moitra
Music Director: Pritam Chakraborty
Release Date: Jul 28, 2023
Platform: Cinemahall
Language: Hindi
Budget: 160 Crores INR
Duration: 2 hours 48 minutes
Distributed By: Viacom 18 Studios
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Review
Producer-director Karan Johar has returned to direction after seven years with ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.’ During this time, he directed for OTT, but this is his latest release in cinemas since Ae Dil Hai Mushkil in 2016, starring Ranbir Kapoor, and now he reunites with Ranveer Singh.
The film combines elements of family drama, joy, sorrow, and romance, similar to Karan’s previous films Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
What is the story of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani?
The story revolves around the love story of Rocky and Rani, but a love story cannot progress without family. The story begins with Rocky Randhawa (Ranveer Singh), who lives in Delhi, and his life’s goal is to build his body and wear quirky and colorful clothes.
On the other hand, Rani Chatterjee (Alia Bhatt) is ambitious, working as a news anchor in a TV channel. They meet due to their grandparents. Rocky’s grandfather Kaval (Dharmendra) and Rani’s grandmother Jamini (Shabana Azmi) once loved each other, but they got married at different places.
Now, Rocky and Rani try to bring them together, but in the process, they fall in love with each other. Rocky and Rani realize that their families’ lifestyles and cultures do not match. They come up with an idea to spend three months with each other’s families to see if they can live their whole lives together. They try to impress each other’s families and win their hearts. The story progresses from there.
How is Karan Johar’s film presented on the screen?
Karan Johar’s films are known for their larger-than-life frames, vibrant colors, grand sets, and foreign locations for songs, and he maintains all these elements in this film as well. Balancing emotions with humor is Karan’s art, and this film also carries an important message about family values, just like his previous films.
However, the film takes time to reach its destination. Karan has skillfully balanced the two families amid comedy and emotional scenes, which is commendable. Rocky makes the serious members of Rani’s family laugh, while Rani brings some serious scenes to Rocky’s family.
Watching Dharmendra on the big screen is a delightful experience. He blends well in emotional scenes. However, the kissing scene between Dharmendra and Shabana does not feel necessary. Rocky’s attempt to reunite his grandfather with his first love feels a bit forced. It also seems strange that Rocky’s grandmother Dhankor lets him meet his grandfather from his first love.
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Movie Songs
The first part of the film is slow-paced. The introduction scenes of both families, the budding love between Rocky and Rani, and the scene where they reunite their ex-lovers all move at a slow pace. The songs ‘Jhumka…’ and ‘Tum Mile…’ used in the film’s promotion are also shown in the first part, which makes the film feel repetitive.
To keep the story plausible, the portrayal of some characters has been toned down. Rocky and his sister Gayatri come from a rich and influential family in Delhi, but it raises questions as to why they are not educated. Some scenes in the film add humor, like the dance on the song ‘Dola Re Dola’ from the movie Devdas by Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Chowdhury.
“Almost 80 percent of the scenes are shown in the trailer. The earrings used in the film’s promotion… and you meet… even the songs are shown in the initial part, which makes the film seem seen before the interval.
To keep the story logical, some characters have been removed from the track. Rocky and his sister Gaitri are from a big and wealthy family. They live in Delhi, but the question of why they are not educated lingers in the mind. Some scenes in the film are exhilarating – Ranveer Singh and Tota Roy Chowdhury dance to the song ‘Dola Re Dola’ from ‘Devdas,’ applauding rhythmically.
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