Dream girl 2 could have been much better than Dream girl

    

Overview:

Ayushmannn Khurrana's latest film Dream Girl 2 has a lot going for it. A situational comedy, it has the lead man dressed in drag saying some of the funniest dialogues taking major references from pop culture. It has a credible supporting cast which delivers to the hilt. It is a sequel to a hit film which is Khurrana's most successful film to date. Yet, filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa's film is so hollow and formulaic that you stifle a yawn or two by the end of it.  

I have always been a fan of Ayushmann Khurrana's genre of films. Yes, I call his films a genre in itself because the man has time and again taken up pertinent issues plaguing society and featured in films that deliver relevant messages on society with a dash of humour. Most of Khurrana's films have very smart writing and always manage to drive home a point. He plays real characters and tells relatable stories- mostly. Yet the man who always seemed like one of us thanks to his characters ends up doing the most generic comedy film that Bollywood is ever known for. A comedy of errors that never lands too well and constantly reminds you of comedies of the late 1990s and early 2000s - Dream Girl 2 looks dated and predictable from the word go. 

You know how the plot will unfold from the first scene. Plagued by loans and debts, Karam (Khurrana) and his father (Annu Kapoor) move into Karam's friend Smiley's (Manjot Singh) home after banks take over their haveli due to non-payment of loan. Karam and his father are singers and performers and hence salary is limited. He is also in love with Pari (Ananya Panday) whose father (Manoj Joshi) wants Karam to earn a sizeable amount of money within six months in order to marry his daughter. A college drop-out, Karam then resorts to dressing in drag and becoming a bar dancer, a psychiatrist (things escalate quickly) and eventually a rich man's wife. The man in question is Shahrukh (Abhishek Banerjee) who is seemingly depressed and his father Abu Salem (Paresh Rawal) declares he will provide five million rupees to the person who will marry his son and bring a smile on his face. 

The plot starts off in the bylanes of Mathura and subsequently moves to a rich Muslim household in Agra where Pooja (Khurrana dressed in drag) attracts multiple suitors which adds to the comedy of errors. 

Now a lot of questions come to mind while watching Dream Girl 2. Why doesn't Karam get a regular job, considering he is a good impersonator and street-smart? Why does Pari, a lawyer, fall in love with a good-for-nothing Karam? Why doesn't Karam ever loop her into his plans of dressing in drag to earn money? Many such questions plagued me while watching the film and I can safely tell you that none were answered. 

Dream Girl 2 has funny lines that take potshots at everyone and everything, and use wit to refer to pop culture yet the writing by Shadilyaa and Naresh Kathoria is shabby and very old-fashioned. There are references in galore to TV- Roadies, Kasauti Zingdagi Kay, Kapil Sharma- all are given a hat tip and manage to bring in the necessary humour even but overall, Dream Girl 2 looks tacky with an outdated plot and jaded jokes.

Many moons back a similar situational comedy, full of sexual innuendos, featured Govinda in drag. The film was called Aunty No 1 and it was released in 1998. The film had several older men falling for a begum (Govinda). Over two decades later, somehow Dream Girl 2 seems to fall back on a similar bracket with men hovering over a very obviously disguised man and thereby creating havoc. In so many instances I thought of Govinda while watching Dream Girl 2- Khurrana's role seemed just up the veteran actor's alley. 

Offensive and regressive:

The plot also has dollops of body shaming, age shaming, making jokes about one's height, and making poor jokes on women's monthly cycles. While these are usual tropes for slapstick comedies in Hindi films, one hopes things are different when Khuranna is leading the show. Alas, the actor too heavily falls back on formula script as Seema Pahwa, Annu Kapoor, Abhishek Banerjee, Manoj Joshi and Manjot Singh are all wasted in the film. Khurraana, despite an illogical story, delivers his part well. He is theatrical with his act as Karam but as Pooja he is quite natural, playing a demure woman with complete 'ada' and 'nazakat'. But the rest of the cast has limited scope to showcase their talent. 

There is no chemistry between the lead couple. Ananya Panday looks gorgeous but has limited screen time and looks odd next to Khurrana. The actor in fact has better chemistry with Banerjee. Perhaps because the two are good actors and complement each other or maybe have better-written lines to themselves.

I got a major late 1990s hangover while watching Dream Girl 2. It is definitely not the usual Ayushmann Khurrana film. Sure you find yourself laughing a few times but overall, the film will remain one of the worst in the otherwise impressive repertoire of the actor. Watch at your own risk.

Detailed discussion:

"Dream Girl 2" attempts to capitalize on its situational comedy, featuring the lead character dressed in drag delivering witty pop culture references. Despite a strong supporting cast, the film falls short due to its hollow and formulaic execution. Ayushmann Khurrana, known for taking on socially relevant roles, steps into a generic comedic space that feels dated and predictable.

The plot revolves around Karam (Khurrana) and his father facing financial struggles, leading them to move in with a friend. Karam, in love with Pari (Ananya Panday), must earn a significant sum to marry her. Resorting to dressing in drag, he takes on various roles to earn money, including becoming a bar dancer and a psychiatrist. The story unfolds with a series of comedic misunderstandings and mistaken identities.

    

Despite the film's attempt at humor, several questions remain unanswered, such as why Karam doesn't explore other job options given his talents. The writing, although featuring funny lines and pop culture references, falls short in delivering a fresh and engaging storyline. The movie's reliance on outdated tropes and jokes, including body shaming and age-related humor, further weakens its impact.

Khurrana's performance stands out, portraying both the theatrical Karam and the demure Pooja convincingly. However, the chemistry between the lead couple, Khurrana and Panday, feels lacking. Instead, Khurrana's rapport with Abhishek Banerjee's character is more palpable, possibly due to stronger dialogue and acting chemistry.

"Dream Girl 2" evokes a sense of nostalgia for late 1990s comedies, reminiscent of films like "Aunty No 1." While it does manage to elicit a few laughs, the film ultimately fails to live up to Khurrana's usual standards of socially conscious and engaging storytelling. This deviation from his signature genre makes it one of the weaker entries in his filmography. Viewers should approach the film with caution, as it falls short of expectations and leans heavily on outdated comedic elements."

Plot:

Karam, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, lives in Mathura with his father Jagjit Singh, played by Annu Kapoor. Apart from his father, Karma has a friend Smiley, played by Manjot Singh, and a girlfriend Pari, played by Ananya Panday. However, Karam is not stable, so Pari's father put a condition for Karma to earn. Also, the debt burden of Karam's father is long. In the course of events, Karam becomes Pooja and has to marry Abu Salem's, played by Paresh Rawal, son Shahrukh, played by Abhishek Banerjee. No one can escape Pooja's obsession, be it Sona Bhai, played by Vijay Raaz, or Shoukiya, played by Rajpal Yadav, or Jumani, played by Seema Pahwa. Yusuf Ali, played by Asrani as Abu Salem's father also forms a vital part of the story. With one incident after another, Karam's already chaotic life becomes more complicated. Call it a comedy of errors.

    

Highlights of the film:

1. The creators of Dream Girl 2 are fully cognizant of its intended audience. The movie is expected to excel in both mainstream cinemas and single-screen theaters.

2. Complex reasoning isn't necessary in this context.

3. Expect a plethora of amusement. Ayushmann Khurrana's performance is exceptional, having captivated audiences with his portrayal of Pooja. The overall performances are remarkable.

Negative side of the movie:

1. The effort invested in refining the storyline is evident from the quality of the comedic moments.

2. Dream Girl 2's primary competition lies within its predecessor, Dream Girl. When assessing the narrative, Dream Girl 2 falls short of the impact carried by the original's story. The storytelling in the first installment was notably stronger.

3. The movie's trajectory demonstrates a gradual climb towards success, only to stumble towards the conclusion. An instance of this is the confessional scene in the climactic sequence, which fails to evoke a heartfelt response.

4. Dream Girl Part 2 can undoubtedly be described as a source of laughter, yet it lacks a certain depth. The film's decades-long anticipation is palpable, evident by its early bookings opening on a Sunday with a positive initial response. According to film trade analysts, there's a strong possibility that the film's opening earnings could range from Rs 8 to 9 crore.