After a long gap of 8 years, post his fairly likable PYAAR KE SIDE/EFFECTS in 2006, director Saket Chaudhary makes a comeback with SHAADI KE SIDE/EFFECTS exactly like an eight year long affair gets converted into a marriage after a prolonged thinking and decision making. Now interestingly I am not sure that whether this should be considered as a praise or as a negative comment about the film. But Saket's new product is quite similar to the confused mindset of the present generation which is really finding tough to understand this traditional concept of marriage in the right perspective. And that is the reason why we are having so many broken marriages, divorces, splits and live in relationships widely happening in our society, particularly since the last decade.
So making it clear in the beginning itself, yes SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS has its good, intelligent & entertaining moments mostly visible in its first half. But the film cannot be presented as any positive take on the 'institution of marriage' at all due to a pretty weird, puzzled and silly story progression in its final hour which simply ruins the entire fine build up in a highly casual or careless manner.
Besides, it is to be understood that 'getting married' and 'having a child' are two different steps of a newly formed relationship between a couple, which obviously have their own individual value, significance and timings. But since Saket's film gives only 10-15 minutes to the married couple and more than 135 moments to their life after having a child, therefore it should ideally be called "BACCHA HONE KE SIDE EFFECTS" rather than "SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS" to be clear. So in reality this is not a film about the first few years of a newlywed couple (which certainly have a completely different meaning for the two) but a film about their changing relationship after having their first child to be precise.
Thankfully, SKSE begins on an interesting, fresh note focusing on how the couple is managing to keep the love flame burning in their first (one or two) years of a married life. And therefore does have that novelty and amusing humour too coming at regular intervals with few songs in its initial reels. Also, the moment it all starts becoming monotonous, the director plays a very intelligent twist with Ram Kapoor (just before the intermission) and you get assured that this surely is a smart take on the issue handled well.
But unfortunately everything crashes down with some deliberately added, over length subplots in the second half just like a honeymoon ending after the first 5-6 months of a marriage getting back to the real tough repetitive life as usual. The dramatic scenes result in loss of grip and the over stretched climax leads to boredom. However, most importantly it's the confusing culmination of the script which simply pulls the film down drastically and you are just not able to make what the director wished to say with all this crazy mess representing nothing.
In short, if you are expecting it to be an entertaining and enlightening take on the concept of new-age marriage then you are seriously mistaken. Because the film is simply not made with any such clear mindset and it will leave you even more confused than before after the end credits start rolling. Though, the director tries many tricks to keep the smiles coming in the post interval sequences. But in the process shatters all the high expectations raised by its intelligent first half and you get nothing exceptional in the next hour right till the end.
Having said that the film does have some superlative performances by the lead couple, as well as the supporting cast providing you something to watch constantly. Farhan once again proves his amazing versatility and so does Vidya playing the enthusiastic mother (though I am still amazed how they said yes to such unconvincing script). The role fits like 'T' to both the talented stars and I seriously wish the writers had given them something more sensible and sane to do on the screen honestly. Ram Kapoor is excellent as the friendly guide and Ila Arun shows her under- rated skill of a great performer yet again. Vir Das tries hard to be funny but Rati Agnihotri, Purab Kohli and Gautami Kapoor are just there for only a few scenes.
The soundtrack has some peppy tracks used well. Plus both cinematography and background score are fine as per the limited requirements of the concept. So strictly being a multiplex film, it might get noticed by the youngsters thinking about their own marriage and their first child in particular. But at the same time they are also going to find the entertainment factor largely missing and the film not giving any enlightening message on this serious subject, performing below the expectation.
In strong words, till you are dealing with love, affair and friendship, everything is fine and can be taken in the lighter sense. But once you venture into the 'serious theme of marriage' then you got to treat it responsibly and just cannot play with it in a casual mode with the sole motive of delivering a hit at the box office, walking on a disrespectful or unbalanced path.
And since SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS does the same in an utterly confused, unsure and irresponsible manner so I am not able to give it any higher ratings taking it as an interesting yet baffling, silly take on 'marriage'.
So making it clear in the beginning itself, yes SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS has its good, intelligent & entertaining moments mostly visible in its first half. But the film cannot be presented as any positive take on the 'institution of marriage' at all due to a pretty weird, puzzled and silly story progression in its final hour which simply ruins the entire fine build up in a highly casual or careless manner.
Besides, it is to be understood that 'getting married' and 'having a child' are two different steps of a newly formed relationship between a couple, which obviously have their own individual value, significance and timings. But since Saket's film gives only 10-15 minutes to the married couple and more than 135 moments to their life after having a child, therefore it should ideally be called "BACCHA HONE KE SIDE EFFECTS" rather than "SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS" to be clear. So in reality this is not a film about the first few years of a newlywed couple (which certainly have a completely different meaning for the two) but a film about their changing relationship after having their first child to be precise.
Thankfully, SKSE begins on an interesting, fresh note focusing on how the couple is managing to keep the love flame burning in their first (one or two) years of a married life. And therefore does have that novelty and amusing humour too coming at regular intervals with few songs in its initial reels. Also, the moment it all starts becoming monotonous, the director plays a very intelligent twist with Ram Kapoor (just before the intermission) and you get assured that this surely is a smart take on the issue handled well.
But unfortunately everything crashes down with some deliberately added, over length subplots in the second half just like a honeymoon ending after the first 5-6 months of a marriage getting back to the real tough repetitive life as usual. The dramatic scenes result in loss of grip and the over stretched climax leads to boredom. However, most importantly it's the confusing culmination of the script which simply pulls the film down drastically and you are just not able to make what the director wished to say with all this crazy mess representing nothing.
In short, if you are expecting it to be an entertaining and enlightening take on the concept of new-age marriage then you are seriously mistaken. Because the film is simply not made with any such clear mindset and it will leave you even more confused than before after the end credits start rolling. Though, the director tries many tricks to keep the smiles coming in the post interval sequences. But in the process shatters all the high expectations raised by its intelligent first half and you get nothing exceptional in the next hour right till the end.
Having said that the film does have some superlative performances by the lead couple, as well as the supporting cast providing you something to watch constantly. Farhan once again proves his amazing versatility and so does Vidya playing the enthusiastic mother (though I am still amazed how they said yes to such unconvincing script). The role fits like 'T' to both the talented stars and I seriously wish the writers had given them something more sensible and sane to do on the screen honestly. Ram Kapoor is excellent as the friendly guide and Ila Arun shows her under- rated skill of a great performer yet again. Vir Das tries hard to be funny but Rati Agnihotri, Purab Kohli and Gautami Kapoor are just there for only a few scenes.
The soundtrack has some peppy tracks used well. Plus both cinematography and background score are fine as per the limited requirements of the concept. So strictly being a multiplex film, it might get noticed by the youngsters thinking about their own marriage and their first child in particular. But at the same time they are also going to find the entertainment factor largely missing and the film not giving any enlightening message on this serious subject, performing below the expectation.
In strong words, till you are dealing with love, affair and friendship, everything is fine and can be taken in the lighter sense. But once you venture into the 'serious theme of marriage' then you got to treat it responsibly and just cannot play with it in a casual mode with the sole motive of delivering a hit at the box office, walking on a disrespectful or unbalanced path.
And since SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS does the same in an utterly confused, unsure and irresponsible manner so I am not able to give it any higher ratings taking it as an interesting yet baffling, silly take on 'marriage'.