Sequel to the rom-com Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Saket Chaudhary's second directorial venture 'Shaadi Ke Side Effects'(SKSE) is an affirmation to the 7-year itch syndrome even if we consider the chronological gaps between the two releases. With a tone that resonates the likes of celebrated film-makers like Basu Bhattacharya or Basu Chatterjee, Saket probes into a subject that has a perpetual potency - Marriage and its associated trappings.
He retains his protagonists - Sid(Farhan Akhtar) and Trisha(Vidya Balan) who are happy as a couple but experience a change in the conjugal dynamics until 'they' become pregnant. It's a change that all husbands would easily identify with (No ! I am not a MCP)and perhaps that's the reason why the story is told from Sid's perspective, but with enough humor and lough-out-loud moments.With an upcoming additional responsibility, comes a baggage of financial woes, marital woes and more importantly a craving for 'individual space'. He resorts to his shrewd brother-in-law(Ram Kapoor) for advices, who gives him some eternal gyan to lead a 'dual' life thereby keeping your married life happy and secured. While the first half is vibrant, quirky and credible, SKSE suffers from the curse of the second half. The plot gets heavily overstretched and clumsy and meanders into zigzag directions.
Fundamentally at the heart of SKSE, there is confrontation. Sid confronts with his alter-ego , who is a youthful, carefree chap devoid of any responsibilities and lives life on his own terms. Saket projects those manifestations in some of the standout scenes, particularly one where Sid has a verbal duel with Trisha on the daily chores related to their daughter. He succeeds in exposing the dilemmas and tribulations that the couple is going through beneath the comic veneer.
Cinematically unadventurous, it is confined to the same apartment shots with glossy vignettes that would appeal to multiplex audience except for one song sequence serenading with Australia travelopedia.It also succumbs to some routine brand plug-ins like SKORE, Royal Enfield etc.Pritam's music has variety this time which hits the crest with the dance floor numbers like Harry's not a Brahmachari and Desi Romance.
Both Farhan and Vidya live their characters , bringing out the most subtle nuances with effervescence and delightful panache.Without losing their individuality, they make their on screen chemistry sizzle. Vidya exudes uninhibited sexiness but certainly needs a weight check. Yet, its Farhan who gives the necessary emotional depth to his confused and frustrated Sid and walks away with all accolades.The supporting cast gets ample elbow space but is marred with some ill-sketched characterizations. While Ram Kapoor shines as Farhan's brother-in-law cum marriage-guru ,the characters of Ila Arun,Purab and Vir Das appear contrived.
As they say there is no fool-proof plan for a successful marriage, SKSE consummates in a rather convenient way which is a departure from the existential reality. It's like a chewing gum , you will only enjoy till the sweetness lasts.
Rating : 2.5/5
He retains his protagonists - Sid(Farhan Akhtar) and Trisha(Vidya Balan) who are happy as a couple but experience a change in the conjugal dynamics until 'they' become pregnant. It's a change that all husbands would easily identify with (No ! I am not a MCP)and perhaps that's the reason why the story is told from Sid's perspective, but with enough humor and lough-out-loud moments.With an upcoming additional responsibility, comes a baggage of financial woes, marital woes and more importantly a craving for 'individual space'. He resorts to his shrewd brother-in-law(Ram Kapoor) for advices, who gives him some eternal gyan to lead a 'dual' life thereby keeping your married life happy and secured. While the first half is vibrant, quirky and credible, SKSE suffers from the curse of the second half. The plot gets heavily overstretched and clumsy and meanders into zigzag directions.
Fundamentally at the heart of SKSE, there is confrontation. Sid confronts with his alter-ego , who is a youthful, carefree chap devoid of any responsibilities and lives life on his own terms. Saket projects those manifestations in some of the standout scenes, particularly one where Sid has a verbal duel with Trisha on the daily chores related to their daughter. He succeeds in exposing the dilemmas and tribulations that the couple is going through beneath the comic veneer.
Cinematically unadventurous, it is confined to the same apartment shots with glossy vignettes that would appeal to multiplex audience except for one song sequence serenading with Australia travelopedia.It also succumbs to some routine brand plug-ins like SKORE, Royal Enfield etc.Pritam's music has variety this time which hits the crest with the dance floor numbers like Harry's not a Brahmachari and Desi Romance.
Both Farhan and Vidya live their characters , bringing out the most subtle nuances with effervescence and delightful panache.Without losing their individuality, they make their on screen chemistry sizzle. Vidya exudes uninhibited sexiness but certainly needs a weight check. Yet, its Farhan who gives the necessary emotional depth to his confused and frustrated Sid and walks away with all accolades.The supporting cast gets ample elbow space but is marred with some ill-sketched characterizations. While Ram Kapoor shines as Farhan's brother-in-law cum marriage-guru ,the characters of Ila Arun,Purab and Vir Das appear contrived.
As they say there is no fool-proof plan for a successful marriage, SKSE consummates in a rather convenient way which is a departure from the existential reality. It's like a chewing gum , you will only enjoy till the sweetness lasts.
Rating : 2.5/5