Rating- **1/2 (2.5/5)
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Triptii Dimri, Mallika Sherawat, Vijay Raaz, Tiku Talsania, Rakesh Bedi, Archana Puran Singh & more
Directed by: Raaj Shaandilyaa
In theaters
Director Raaj Shaandilyaa broke new ground by introducing us to the wackiness in his writing, his inherent knack of humor, and understanding the pulse of the masses with Dream Girl. What worked wonders with that film was the innocence and the factor which is loosely used: not-taking-yourself-too-seriously while still conveying a message. The man seemingly lost his way a bit with Dream Girl 2, and now he arrives with Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video.
Set in 1997, Uttar Pradesh (that time it was UP and not Uttarakhand), the story is about a middle-class household consisting of Vicky (Rajkummar Rao), a mehendi design artist & Vidya (Triptii Dimri), an MBBS doctor. Before we even get to anything else – the one mystery that remains unsolved is why was Dimri’s Vidya was a doctor and what did that add to the plot? We will never know! Anyway! Coming back – Vicky and Vidya love each other and after a bizarre yet somehow funny occurrence, they get married. On their night of consummation, they decide to spice things up and shoot a video of themselves during the process. An unanticipated theft following their return from their honeymoon leads to a comedy of errors that keeps getting crazier and crazier.
The one thing Shaandilyaa needs to be commended for is the little quirks he is able to instill in his supporting cast, which by the way, overshadows the principal actors in every possible way. Giving those hilarious quips and quirks to Vijay Raaz, Mukesh Tiwari, Tiku Talsania, Archana Puran Singh and the actor who plays Raaz’s subordinate police officer is easily what works most for the film. All these fine veterans aren’t providing ‘support’ but helming and breathing life into the dullness and monotony of the script time and again.
Another thing that works for VVKWWV is being able to attach a societal message that despite being preachy and blatant does work and again – that is Shaandilyaa’s signature style that connects and leaves a lasting impact.
When it comes to the performances otherwise, the always reliable Rajkummar Rao is trying so hard and does add some spunk and spark to the banal writing and even the unfunny one-liners. It is sad to see Triptii Dimri once again stuck in a film where despite being the female lead, it doesn’t give her much range to perform. This is the same Dimri who worked in Qala and Bulbull – but is currently trapped in a loop of willingness to do commercial potboilers. She desperately needs a film that does justice to her acting prowess which we know she has.
However, I thank Shaandilyaa and his team for managing to bring Mallika Sherawat back. As Chanda, she somehow plays an extension of the character she played in Welcome but in a more rooted sense – and she is a show-stealer everytime she comes on-screen. Looking gorgeous, being confident and commanding the screen just the way we know she can – Sherawat is the breath of fresh air that the film needed and we needed.
In every other aspect, VVKWWV is unable to leave a lasting impact. Apart from a few jokes here and there that generate chuckles, there is one haphazardly executed moment after another, and it keeps getting more and more perplexing as it goes on. There is a desperate and unbelievably mind-numbing attempt to create a Stree-like ghost in a key sequence in the film – why was that done? We will never know!
I do grant the film some merit and give it a benefit of doubt that the humor and setting along with a social message towards the end will connect with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities a whole lot more – and thus the masses, which are obviously in larger numbers than the metros might flock to the theaters to watch and enjoy.
However, what is now becoming an unfortunately obvious occurrence is that director and writer Raaj Shaandilyaa, who took everyone by a pleasant surprise with his debut project is stuck in a loop of what worked for him in the first go, as he gets more and more indulgent with his films – thus losing its flavor.
