The title might sound odd and a tongue-twister to many, particularly to those who are not familiar with the men-oriented world of Luv Ranjan and his series based on bromance. But for the ones who enjoyed his earlier films focusing on the new-age relationships and their hilarious clashes, this is going to be a laugh-riot and thoroughly enjoyable film despite its conceptual issues.
Mentioning the winning features first, SONU KE TITU KI SWEETY works for its fresh concept, entertaining dialogues and fabulous performances from the well-chosen cast, especially the veteran supporting actors. The film is simply based on an idea that at times a girl can also be a villain, willing to own a rich boy. And one is sure to enjoy the film, if that is considered as a plot without feeling the offence or taking it otherwise (though this also remains one of its shortcomings discussed later).
Beginning with the trademark ‘monologue’ right away, Luv maintains a fast, engaging pace and never gives you a dull moment (with a superfine first half), except the usual insertion of unwanted songs that could have been avoided. A light, pleasant comic feel keeps you engrossed throughout and it’s the unpredictability of the script that turns out to be the biggest plus point maintained till the very end, where you still cannot guess what’s actually going to happen next.
The dialogues entertain and the performers render them perfectly well led by a spirited Kartik Aaryan getting a meatier role this time guarding Sunny Singh. Sunny underplays it as a shy, obedient friend and remains quite natural. Nushrat Bharucha steals the show in her confronting scenes with Kartik and they are a treat to watch together challenging each other. She has always been the leading heroine in the director’s earlier films too and delivers another impressive performance as an evil girl. However Ishita Raj as the girlfriend also remains equally impactful post intermission making a cheerful entry.
As mentioned above, the veterans in the supporting roles frankly take the film to another level. And the names include ‘the surprisingly non-sanskaari’ Alok Nath and his childhood friend brilliantly enacted by Virendra Saxena. The two truly brighten up the screen along with the other likable actors playing the elder family members.
Coming to the soundtrack, its a mixed bag of original and re-used/borrowed tracks (as per the new awful trend) and they all thankfully remain above average including a soothing, emotional song on friendship (that certainly is a rarity these days). Cinematography keeps it eye-catchy, colourful and elegant, well-supported by the costume department. But the maximum points deservingly go to the background score (Hiten Sonik) that perfectly enhances the clashes between the characters with a catchy musical phrase than can also be called its theme music.
(*Spoilers Ahead)
Revealing the downers, SKTKS strongly portrays all the young beautiful girls as shrewd, manipulative and scheming characters willing to own a man playing the vamps (sparing the older ones in the families), which can also be called 'Misogyny' if one chooses to get offended. Personally I found it going over-board in a specific dialogue when Kartik introduces Ishita as the girl he already knows pretty well, using strictly avoidable phrases in the dialogues (such as ‘tried and tasted’).
Also, there is no solid reason given behind Kartik’s dislike or suspicion for Nushrat and no explanation given why she suddenly reveals “Haan, Main Chaalu Hoon”, without any hidden secrets disclosed. Further couldn’t get how and why a girl is always there in her ‘would-be husband’s home’ even after the date of their marriage has been fixed.
The cusswords have been unnecessarily repeated in the film that all get muted by the beeps as usual. Wonder why they chose to keep them in the dialogues when they very well knew about this questionable ‘beep business’?
Having said that, SKTKS still remains fresh, engaging and entertaining despite these conceptual issues, and should turn out to be a clear winner among its young target audience giving them a good time in the theater. So just go for it and enjoy with your group of friends at the earliest.
Rating : 3.5 / 5 (including additional 0.5 for just Alok Nath and Virendra Saxena as the entertaining veterans)
(The article was first published on UC News Mobile App in February 2018)
