ZARA HAT KE ZARA BACH KE’ REVIEW | 2 June, 2023

By
KOMAL NAHTA

Jio Studios and Maddock Films’ Zara Hat Ke Zara Bach Ke (UA) is the story of a married couple in the middle-class bracket. Kapil Dubey (Vicky Kaushal) and Saumya Chawla Dubey (Sara Ali Khan) are married. Kapil is a miser while Saumya doesn’t think twice before spending money. The couple stays with Kapil’s parents (Akash Khurana and Anubha Fatehpuria). Kapil’s maternal uncle (Neeraj Sood) and aunt (Kanupriya Shankar Pandit) have been staying with them since a few months. Saumya wants to shift into a new house with hubby but they can’t afford a new house with their modest means. So, they plan to apply under the government’s housing scheme which provides for affordable houses. However, since Kapil does not qualify under that scheme, they are advised by a tout, Bhagwandas Ishwardas Sahay (Inaam-ul-haq), to buy the flat in Saumya’s name but it’s not as simple as it sounds. For this, Kapil and Saumya have to prove something. They do so without taking their families into confidence.
All hell breaks lose when the two families get to know of what Kapil and Saumya have done but they are still unaware of their plan to buy a flat. Whether Kapil and Saumya get the flat under the government’s cheap housing scheme or not would come later but the amount of difficulties, hardships and embarrassment the two families have to face is something nobody is prepared for. What happens then?
Ramiz Ilham Khan has written a story which is quite novel but several parts of the story as well as of his screenplay appear a bit contrived and convoluted at times. The drama is so round and about that the impact is diluted to an extent. While not all the comedy makes the viewers laugh, some scenes do tickle the funny bone a lot. The lesson which Kapil and Saumya learn in the end is quite convoluted as the situation and the incident which change their perspective are not very similar to the situation in which they are. Besides, the situation in which Kapil and Saumya have landed themselves in is because of their ego problems rather than because they want to buy a flat. Also, Kapil and Saumya’s noble action in the end doesn’t touch the heart if only because it looks too far-fetched. A drama of this kind ought to have made the audience weep but that doesn’t happen. In other words, it is more the comedy which works, that too in parts, while the emotional side is found lacking. The analogy between the situation of Kapil-Saumya and that of Kapil’s maternal uncle and aunt is not convincing, making the climax appear less strong. Ramiz Ilham Khan’s dialogues are far better than his story and screenplay.
Vicky Kaushal does a very good job in the role of Kapil Dubey. He shines in comic as well as dramatic and melodramatic scenes. Sara Ali Khan tends to go overboard in the initial scenes but comes into her own later. She is especially good in dramatic and emotional scenes. Inaam-ul-haq is excellent as Bhagwandas Ishwardas Sahay. Himanshu Kohli is outstanding in the role of advocate Manoj Baghel. He makes the courtroom scenes hilarious. Sharib Hashmi (in a special appearance) is effective as guard Daroga but the last scene in which he interacts with Kapil and Saumya looks like a forced attempt to get him into the main story. Akash Khurana and Anubha Fatehpuria lend fair support as Kapil’s parents but they don’t have anything significant to do. Neeraj Sood makes a lovely mark as Kapil’s maternal uncle.
Kanupriya Shankar Pandit shines as Kapil’s maternal aunt. Vivan Shah is lovely as Kapil’s cousin. Rakesh Bedi leaves a fine mark as Saumya’s father. Sushmita Mukherjee lends average support as Saumya’s mother. Srishti Ganguli Rindani is alright as Mehjabeen. Dimpy Mishra makes his presence felt as Dimpy Sir. Atul Tiwari is entertaining in the role of the judge. Others are adequate.
Laxman Utekar’s direction is nice but his narration does have its limitations mainly because of the script. Sachin-Jigar’s music comprises a hit song (‘Tu hai to mujhe phir aur kya chahiye’) and two extremely melodious numbers viz. ‘Tere vaaste’ and ‘Saanjha’. Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics are weighty. Song picturisations (Ganesh Acharya, Vijay Ganguly and Ruel Dausan Varindani) ought to have been far better. Sandeep Shirodkar’s background music is good at places. Raghav Ramadoss’ cinematography is nice. Production designing (Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty) and art direction (Dilip Ganpati Rokade and Nilesh Vishwakarma) are of a fine standard. Manish Pradhan’s editing is quite sharp.
On the whole, Zara Hat Ke Zara Bach Ke is a fair entertainer with hit music being its biggest asset. It will, therefore, do reasonable business at the ticket windows. Frankly, considering the revenues due from sale of digital, satellite and audio rights, the film is already in the zone where the risk is minimal.

Released on 2-6-’23 at Inox (daily 8 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity: quite good. Opening: okay. …….Also released all over. Opening was average at most of the places.

#KomalNahta