89. Badhaai Do; movie review

 

BADHAAI DO

Cert 12A

147 mins

BBFC advice: Contains homophobic behaviour

On the rare occasion that a gay character is portrayed in an Indian film, they tend to be exaggerated lampoons.

Not so in Harshavardhan Kulkarni's brave and engaging comedy-drama, Badhaai Do.

This is a movie about how difficult it can be for gay people to gain acceptance in very traditional communities and even in a wider setting.

Rajkummar Rao plays Shardul, a police officer who pretends he has a girlfriend to avoid suspicion of his relationship with another man.

It is a similar tale for sports teacher Sumi (Bhumi Pednekar) who secretly goes on gay dating sites to no success.

The pair alight upon the possibility of a marriage of convenience after Sumi is outed to the cop by an enraged potential male suitor.

They believe this will free them to get on with their lives without parental interference and behind the veil will each be able to carry on meeting people of their own sex.

The problem is that Indian families are even more obsessed with babies than they are with marriages.

And, as the question over infertility or even marriage problems grow, complexity increases when Sumi has a new girlfriend (Chum Darang).

Although, Badhaai Do is making serious points, there is lots of fun too, largely thanks to the stupidity of the respective families.

Stuck in the middle of the ranting and raving is Shardul's mum, played with great empathy by Sheeba Chaddha.

I enjoyed Badhaai Do and the performances of Rao as the po-faced police officer and especially Pednekar as the tough lass who is forced to accept compromise.

However, I have to say that its ending was far too twee for the subject matter. Indeed, I suspect it would be almost impossible in real life.

Reasons to watch: A comedy-drama which attempts to tackle a big issue

Reasons to avoid: A little bit over-frivolous

Laughs: Three

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know?  In 2018, in the landmark decision of Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, the Supreme Court of India decriminalised consensual homosexual intercourse.

The final word. Bhumi Pednekar: "here were various films where I had the opportunity to play a member of LGBTIQA community, but there was nothing that delt the subject with so much sensitivity. The treatment here is comedy, but by the end it really hits you. I honestly feel so fortunate that Badhaai Do happened to me."

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