‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’ is a predictable yet entertaining comedy that delivers laughs coupled with strong performances. While the film excels in humour, its clichéd plot and dragged-out second half prevent it from being impactful.
An entertainer that hits and misses
‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’ is a comedy that tries every trick in the book to entertain. Some moments land well, delivering genuine laughs, while others feel overdone. The film relies on witty dialogues, chaotic situations, and exaggerated performances to keep the audience engaged. While it isn’t groundbreaking, it remains a decent watch, thanks to some strong performances.
Arjun Kapoor, who has often been criticized for his performances, manages to hold his ground this time. The film offers him a much-needed confidence boost as he balances comedy and drama. The supporting cast, especially Bhumi Pednekar and Harsh Gujral, add significant energy, ensuring the film remains engaging even when the plot falters.
A familiar storyline with a comic twist
Set in Delhi, the film revolves around Ankur Chaddha (Arjun Kapoor), the son of a realtor who now manages the family business. Recently divorced from Prabhleen (Bhumi Pednekar), Ankur is looking to move on from his failed marriage. A business trip to Hrishikesh leads to a chance reunion with Antara Khanna (Rakul Preet Singh), an old college friend. Their friendship quickly blossoms into love. Soon, they decide to marry, and preparations begin for a lavish destination wedding in Scotland.
Just when everything seems perfect, tragedy strikes. Prabhleen meets with an accident, suffering memory loss that erases the last five years—including her divorce. Ankur is advised by the doctor to stay close to her, as familiar surroundings could help in speedy recovery. Left with no choice, Ankur and Antara decide to take Prabhleen along to Scotland for the wedding, hoping she recovers soon. Chaos ensues when she regains her memory at the most inconvenient time.
Predictable yet engaging comedy
The film sticks to a classic Bollywood formula—over-the-top family members, a funny friend, an extravagant wedding, and multiple misunderstandings leading to hilarious situations. While the story lacks originality, its comedy keeps it afloat.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is Harsh Gujral, who plays Ankur’s best friend, Harsh. His impeccable comic timing and effortless delivery make him the scene-stealer. Every time he appears on screen, he guarantees laughter, making his character one of the film’s highlights. The film thrives on situational humour and one-liners, and Gujral’s presence injects energy, especially when the narrative begins to feel predictable.
Complex characters and strong performances
Prabhleen is portrayed as an assertive, self-centered woman, while Ankur struggles between his past and present relationships. However, his past behaviour paints him as an insensitive husband, more concerned about their unborn child than Prabhleen’s well-being. Antara, on the other hand, represents the independent modern woman—free-spirited, career-focused, and emotionally mature. She is everything Prabhleen is not, making the contrast between the two women an essential plot driver. The film plays on these dynamics to push the story forward.
Arjun Kapoor delivers a decent performance as the confused yet well-meaning husband. While he isn’t extraordinary, he manages to carry the role with sincerity. Bhumi Pednekar excels as Prabhleen, seamlessly blending humour with moments of emotional intensity. Her fiery, impulsive Punjabi wife act is spot-on. Rakul Preet Singh is graceful as Antara, balancing charm and intelligence in a role that doesn’t offer much beyond being the ideal love interest. But the one who steals the spotlight is Harsh Gujral as Rehan. His natural comic timing and effortless dialogue delivery make him the film’s brightest spark.
A film that entertains but fails to impress
While ‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’ starts strong with an engaging, humour-packed first half, it loses momentum in the second half. Once the story shifts to Scotland, the film becomes predictable, and the humour starts feeling repetitive. The screenplay plays it safe, relying on clichés rather than attempting anything fresh.
Another downside is the film’s background score. Since the story is set in Delhi with Punjabi characters, the soundtrack is overly loud and exaggerated. While it adds energy in some scenes, it eventually becomes unnecessary.
Director Mudassar Aziz, known for his expertise in comedy (‘Pati Patni Aur Woh,’ ‘Khel Khel Mein’), adopts a broad-brush approach here—throwing multiple gags at the audience, hoping some will land. The screenplay is more focused on setting up comedic situations rather than developing the plot meaningfully, which ultimately weakens the film.
Verdict
‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’ delivers laughs and checks most of the boxes of a typical Bollywood entertainer. While it works as a light-hearted comedy, it lacks novelty and depth. The performances, especially by Bhumi Pednekar and Harsh Gujral, add charm to the film, but the predictable plot and stretched-out second half hold it back from being a memorable experience.
If you’re looking for a breezy, mindless entertainer with some good comic moments, this film makes for a decent watch. However, if you expect something fresh and engaging, this might just bore you.
Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Rakul Preet Singh and Harsh Gujral
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
(‘Mere Husband Ki Biwi’ is currently in theatres)