91. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety; movie review

SONU KE TITU KI SWEETY
Cert 12A
138 mins
BBFC advice: Contains bleeped strong language, moderate sex references

"An Indian comedy about arranged marriage" are probably in most inauspicious words I could write at the beginning of a review.
However, I am rather surprised to report that Luv Ranjan's film actually made me laugh.
And, while I am not saying that it was a rip-snorter, it was certainly a passable way to spend two hours and 20 minutes.
Ranjan's film centres on the tug-of-love of a best friend (Kartik Aaryan) and potential bride (Nushrat Bharucha) over a nervous groom (Sunny Singh).
At first it appears that Aaryan's Sonu is behaving like a spoilt child - deliberately trying to ruin the wedding plans just so he can keep his pal, Titu, to himself.
However, the ironically-named Sweety may not be quite the perfect dish Titu thinks she is.
Bharucha is spot on with her glint-in-the-eye, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-my-mouth act and I was secretly urging her to win her battle with the pursed-faced Sonu.
Ranjun's film is vibrant from the off... the soundtrack has great zest and the dazzling dance routines are among the best I've seen in Indian cinema in quite a while.
But I do hear the criticism from some quarters about misogynistic elements of its plot (Ishita Raj Sharma's plays Titu's ex-girlfriend who is basically used and abused throughout).
And I would add a quibble about the slackness over supposedly using Amsterdam as a plot-hinge but the outside shots not being in the Dutch capital (it really doesn't have a fort on a hill (they don't do hills in Holland)).
Nevertheless, as said, I found Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety a non-taxing, easygoing ride for a Friday afternoon.

Reasons to watch: Easygoing rom com
Reasons to avoid: Will not test the grey matter

Laughs: Two and a couple of chuckles
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7/10

Director interview - Luv Ranjan: "In India, they say that marriage happens between two families but in cities, friends have become the new family. So for a marriage to work, it is imperative that your friends like the new person in your life and vice versa."

The big question: Will Indian audiences ever tire of marriage comedies?

Share this post