A Familiar Premise, Mostly Familiar Pleasures
Directed by Mudassar Aziz (known for Pati Patni Aur Woh, Khel Khel Mein), Mere Husband Ki Biwi sets out to be a breezy rom‑com but largely treads conventional ground. The plot revolves around Ankur Chaddha (Arjun Kapoor), who remarries college sweetheart Antara (Rakul Preet Singh) post‑divorce, only for his ex‑wife Prabhleen (Bhumi Pednekar) to regain—then lose—her memory, setting up a love triangle that’s part sentimental, part comedic. The setup has promise, but the execution settles for predictability en.wikipedia.org+15moneycontrol.com+15indianexpress.com+15.
Plot & Screenplay
Playback of the classic Bollywood trope—amnesia, love‑triangle, wedding chaos—dominates the screenplay. While the first half hums along with warmth, the second half, especially the Scotland climax, sags under clichés and sluggish pacing . Critics agree that the narrative suffers from a dragged-out 142‑minute runtime, with calls for “a tighter edit, trimming at least 15–20 minutes” indiatoday.in+1media1.santabanta.com+1.
Comedy & Direction
Aziz’s directorial strength—situational comedy—does work intermittently. Witty one‑liners and erratic situational setups bring some laughs. However, tonal inconsistency—sudden emotional dips—confuses rather than charms timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15insideboxoffice.com+15indiatoday.in+15. The humour occasionally lands, but the film lacks a coherent comedic rhythm .
Performances
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Arjun Kapoor—far more comfortable in a non-action avatar—delivers a sympathetic, expressive performance, especially balancing levity and sincerity. Critics say he “shines in his comfort zone” with credible comic timing .
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Bhumi Pednekar as Prabhleen offers high-energy and comedic fire, though some say her portrayal becomes grating due to weak writing—“loud” and “overdone” at times ndtv.com+15insideboxoffice.com+15trpnewstv.com+15.
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Rakul Preet Singh, as the poised Antara, acts gracefully but is given limited material—enough for a standard “good girl” role but lacking layers en.wikipedia.org+10moneycontrol.com+10bollywoodreviews.in+10.
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Harsh Gujral, in contrast, steals nearly every scene. His natural comic timing, effortless one-liners, and chemistry with Kapoor are often cited as the film’s highlight—“scene‑stealer,” “brightest spark,” “saves many dull moments” reddit.com+8moneycontrol.com+8media1.santabanta.com+8.
Supporting Cast & Technical Elements
A roster of veterans—Dino Morea, Aditya Seal, Shakti Kapoor, Mukesh Rishi—provide flavor, though most are underwritten midstlive.com+4trpnewstv.com+4theweek.in+4. The music, especially the nostalgic remake of “Gori Hai Kalaiyan,” offers peppy and fitting additions to the festive sequences midstlive.com+2insideboxoffice.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2. The scenic locales—from Delhi’s bustle to Scotland’s landscapes—add visual appeal, even if technical execution doesn’t elevate the storytelling midstlive.com.
Thematic Depth
The film attempts to explore themes like divorce stigma, mismatched ambitions, and the fragility of marriage, touching on gender biases—though unevenly. A standout line from Harsh’s character on pedestalizing partners is among the few thought-provoking moments timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15media1.santabanta.com+15indiatoday.in+15. However, socio-emotional nuances—Prabhleen’s career challenges or Ankur’s insensitivity—are glossed over en.wikipedia.org+8moneycontrol.com+8midstlive.com+8.
Audience & Critical Response
Reception has been mixed:
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Some critics rate 3/5, citing entertainment value amid a predictable template bollywoodreviews.in+4en.wikipedia.org+4trpnewstv.com+4midstlive.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1.
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Others are harsher: NDTV and The Week gave it 1.5/5, calling it vacuous or unintelligent .
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On Reddit, opinions are equally divided:
“I laughed at this more than the entire movie” reddit.com+4reddit.com+4reddit.com+4reddit.com,
“… bollywood just unlocked ‘Ctrl+Z’ on divorce”—a typical quip highlighting public cynicism reddit.com+1reddit.com+1.
Conclusion
Mere Husband Ki Biwi is an easygoing, occasionally entertaining film that entertains more than it resonates. Its major strength lies in performances—Arjun’s warmth and Harsh Gujral’s comedic brilliance—and a few genuine laughs. But the predictable plot, tonal inconsistency, and overextended length keep it from reaching full potential. For those seeking a lightweight comedy with minimal emotional investment, it’s a time‑pass watch. But if you crave freshness or emotional depth, it may feel like déjà‑vu.
Final Rating: 2.5 / 5
A lighthearted, forgettable outing—fun in bits, but undone by conventional storytelling and pacing
