JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Jabariya Jodi Movie Review: Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra's film is unengaging, dragged and parched
Jabariya Jodi Review: Jabriya Jodi is a classic case where the makers face a catch 22 and fail to emerge out of it.
Jabariya Jodi
Jabariya Jodi Director: Prashant Singh
Jabariya Jodi Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Parineeti Chopra, Aparshakti Khurana
Jabariya Jodi Stars: 2/5
For the uninitiated, a Pakadwa vivah is solemnised holding an eligible groom at gun-point by goons hired by the bride’s family. The practice, which started as a counter to the high dowry demands in parts of UP and Bihar, witnessed over 3400 such marriages in the year 2017 only. The social issue first gained Bollywood’s attention when director Sushil Rajpal made a film on the issue titled Antardwand, which won the 2007 National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues. However, Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra led Jabariya Jodi though, is based on the same subject, neither does justice to the subject nor entertain the audience.
Jabriya Jodi is a classic case where the makers face a catch 22 and fail to emerge out of it. The first half of the movie is spent building the story, and the second half is wasted on divergent attempts at being funny, socially conscious, and of course, romance. Multiple social messages from “consent in marriage”, “daughters neglect” among others are forcefully induced in a script which struggles to choose whether to be gritty or use humour to balance it.
Sidharth plays the character of a Bihari thug, Abhay Singh, who has political ambitions till one day he crosses path with his childhood love interest, Babli Yadav, played by Parineeti Chopra. Sidharth and Parineeti are seen sharing the screen space the second time after Hasee Toh Phasee which released in 2014. The film begins with the innocent childhood romance between the two characters and then makes a period leap.
Despite best maneuverers, Parineeti is very close to being repetitive while Sidharth’s urban mannerism pops-out time and again. One should give credit to the lead and supporting cast for uplifting the film in parts through good acting. Dialogues are saturated with one-liners with a majority of it delivered by the supporting cast.
The styling department suffers from the stereotypical representation of Bihar. There are attempts at making the lead pair stand out with minor touches to their looks. However, Parineeti’s flaming red hair and unexplainable midriff-baring outfits confuse the audience more when she fiddles with her extensions attempting to be the simpering and smitten lover.
By the climax, we are into the 90s film where the hero’s father has done all the wrong things but values “Di hui zuban”. Thereon, few scenes become unintentionally funny. Add to it, the confusion of including Punjabi songs in a movie set in Bihar.
Sanjay Mishra is surely a treat for the audience. He is very impressive on his home turf playing Babli’s father, Duniyalal. What we can’t understand is the need for inducing his character with the tendency to sleepwalk, or showing that he can pay goons Rs. 20 Lakhs to abduct a groom
Aparshakti Khurana could have been offered more screen space especially with his track record. He plays the role of the friend-zoned loved of Babli. Sheena Chaddha, who plays Abhay's mother, is wasted in the film. Javed Jaffrey has made an impressive comeback as Abhay's father. He plays his role well as a crude man with political aspirations and wrong intentions. Chandan Roy Sanyal as Guddu adds his two cents to whatever he is offered by the script.
Through the movie, one dialogue is repeated many times: Jabariya kuch bhi acha nahi hota. We would add out bits to this: Jabariya kuch bhi acha nahi hota, film dekhna bhi nahi. Go for this movie if you are a Sidharth or Parineeti fan.
Latest Articles
