“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” Review: A Melodramatic Love Saga with Stellar Performances

“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” marks the much-awaited return of director Karan Johar to the director’s chair after a hiatus of seven years. As the title suggests, the film promises to be a typical Bollywood masala movie, complete with rich families, grand settings, emotions, love, and heartbreak. However, despite the stellar performances of the lead actors, the film falls short in some aspects, making it a somewhat bumpy ride for the audience.

The story revolves around two individuals, Rocky Randhawa (Ranveer Singh) and Rani Chatterjee (Alia Bhatt), who belong to contrasting families. The film kicks off with Rocky’s extravagant entry in a song sequence set against the backdrop of a Punjabi contest. On the other hand, Rani’s introduction scene is well-written, where she takes on a politician about rising rape cases. The movie delves into the lives of the Randhawas and the Chatterjees, portrayed as loud and uncivil Punjabis and overly educated Bengalis, respectively, creating the age-old Bollywood cliches that might be a turn-off for some viewers.

The central plot of the film unfolds when Rocky and Rani come together to reunite their grandparents, Kanwal (Dharmendra) and Jamini (Shabana Azmi), who had an affair in 1978 but couldn’t be together due to their marital status. While the old-world romance rekindles between the grandparents, Rocky and Rani find themselves deeply in love. However, their journey is not without obstacles, as they hail from different backgrounds. To convince their families, they decide to swap households for three months, leading to a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs, hardships, and self-realization.

The film’s duration, spanning 168 minutes, turns out to be unnecessarily stretched, testing the audience’s patience, especially in the first half. The initial sequences lack depth, and the love story between Rocky and Rani feels rushed, leaving viewers wondering how they fell in love in the first place. Despite the flaws, the film picks up pace in the second half, presenting emotionally-charged scenes that keep the audience engaged.

One of the film’s major drawbacks is the excessive preaching, where Karan Johar tries to address multiple social issues. While the attempt to highlight themes like gender equality and racism is commendable, the execution feels forced and overtly didactic at times. The stereotypical portrayal of characters from different cultural backgrounds also dampens the storytelling.

However, the film does shine in certain areas, particularly in the performances of the lead cast. Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of the flamboyant Punjabi “Karol Bagh ka launda” is energetic and captivating. Alia Bhatt, as the ambitious TV journalist, impresses with her emotive range and screen presence. The chemistry between the two leads adds charm to the love story, even though some romantic sequences feel lacking.

The supporting cast, including veterans like Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi, deliver solid performances, infusing humour and gravitas into their characters. Jaya Bachchan as Dhanlakshmi Randhawa and Anjali Anand as Rocky’s sister also leave a mark with their respective roles.

The film’s music, composed by Pritam, stands out as a highlight, with soul-touching tracks like “Tum Kya Mile” and peppy numbers like “Jhumka” and “Dhindhora Baje Re.” Additionally, the film pays homage to classic songs by legendary artists, invoking a sense of nostalgia for Bollywood music aficionados.

“Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” has moments of brilliance, including engaging performances by the lead actors and a melodious soundtrack. However, it suffers from an overly extended runtime, forced social messaging, and stereotypical portrayals of characters. The film may find favour with fans of classic Bollywood family dramas, but it might alienate the youth who prefer modern storytelling.

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