Shuddh Desi Romance (2013) Reviews

• Confused Hollow Romance

  ayanpal12013-09-09

  This is a movie that unwittingly exemplifies Shakespeare's quote "What's in a Name?". For the movie has nothing to do with it's name which means "Pure Traditional Romance". The length and breadth of small town Indian cities are beautifully captured by the cinematographer and Director of Photography, yes but the path traversed by the central characters is anything but pure - but more of that later. Neither is this a romantic film, unless of course you think of hardcore lust and hormonal desires as romance. I don't. Period. And finally, the only thing traditional about the characters are their names "Raghupati Rajaram", "Gayatri", "Tara" etc. Talking of tradition, films are either a reflection of society, or a mirror to society. The mostly one dimensional and shallow characters ensures the mirror is cracked from side to side, and even if for a moment, you think of the things being shown in the movie about small towns, to be a reflection of society, let me request you to get in touch with an ophthalmologist. In this film Sushant Singh Rajput (and many others around him) at numerous places refer to Parineeti Chopra as a sister/elder sister, etc and yet indulges in a no holds barred live in relationship with her. Characters run away from their own marriage multiple times - in fact repeating their same actions over and over again. Even minor characters are unnecessarily shown to indulge in confused sexual flings with random strangers and that too in their wedding trousseau! All this to try and showcase "Live In Relationships" to be the future alternative to marriages in India. Even children are not spared and hinted at being just as confused about marriage! A girl left high and dry at her own wedding surprisingly once again enters the life of her once husband to be (after a calculated absence of course!) and then gets into a sexual relationship with him, for the flimsiest of reasons! All the while, his heart - sorry - libido - still beats for the girl he once left at their wedding, oops! sorry! I mean the girl who left him at their wedding! No wait! the girl who he thought was someone else, but realizes is like the girl who he thought she was never like who he met at what was to be his wedding! Trust me - even I am confused! Equally confused it appears to be are the girls themselves. They are strangely never jealous of each other, often behaving like a much in love mother and daughter, or even soul sisters for reasons impossible to fathom while indulging in bane banter and sipping Coca Colas! At a time when it looks like we are about to finally witness a Bollywood film showing a 'menage-a-troys', one of the heroines walk out of the twisted relationship making way for the rest to decide to get married, only to once again, run away from each other. The film ends with two of the three characters using closed doors as a metaphor for marriage and deciding to stay happily ever after with the doors carelessly open. An open relationship anyone? Go figure! This is a story that could have unfolded with passion playing out like a roost of chickens to some well placed grain. Yet, strangely, in spite of numerous kisses (27-35, I really stopped counting every time someone was near a filthy toilet), this film has hardly done justice to what could have otherwise been a blockbuster script. Trust me - if this script finds its way to a maker of x-rated films, "Deep Throat" would no longer be able to hold its sway as the greatest x-rated movie of all time. Talking of which, time and again the reasons provided for the characters to exhibit their odd idiosyncrasies are mostly pathetic and defies logic causing some really good performances by Sushant (good, though often confusing), Parineeti (excellent and uninhibited), Rishi Kapoor (superb and sane), and Vaani (a debut that shows glimpses of talent despite a paper thin characterization) to be as wasted as its beautiful musical score and realistic witty dialogs. A classic case of rhyme without reason leading to the viewer in me screaming treason. In short this is an extraordinary film, because ordinarily, the director and writer have exhibited much better talent earlier (writer - Chak De India, Director - Band Baaja Baraat). If you think of this film as a perfect romantic film to watch with your special someone, prepare to have your senses assaulted. If you are planing to watch this film with your family, prepare to get embarrassed beyond relief. If you wish to watch this film with a group of friends or colleagues, prepare to get set for some unnecessary debates. This is the perfect example of what overconfidence can do to a bundle of talent and the lack of a cohesive script. Please do yourselves a favor and watch a Sunny Leone film instead.

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• Shudh Confused Hormones

  shahidbashir7862013-09-13

  It was not Shudh Desi because 1- We don't need rental baratis and we have families to join in marriage functions. 2- Girls don't kiss passionately in first meeting and get ready to have sex and live without marriage. 3- Men are not "harami" to this limit ( mostly ) who so readily leave a girl at such moments. Usually men are honorable and have their pride. 4- Marriage and Family is not considered as being living in locked room. 5- Children are taught to respect relations. It was not romance because 1- Romance is not about running away from marriage. 2- Romance is not about having kisses ( meaninglessly ) and sleeping with every girl. 3- Romance is not about being in constant state of confusion that should I be with person whom I am with. 4- Romance is not about being insecure towards long term relationship. Yash chopra soul should be pulling his hair ( as hopefully souls are young and supposed to have hair )after this movie. Aditya chopra and whoever is the director of this movie should be ashamed of themselves for disrespecting Indian values. And last but not the least, I am Pakstiani and admire Indian cinema and I am sure that love and related values have not gone this low in India.

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• Fresh, entertaining and extra points for an attempt to break the orthodox.

  ashin-mandal2013-09-07

  Yes, the storyline is rather fidgety. But since when did we become so staunch about the storyline from movies under Yash Raj Films banner? Acting is above average, Rishi Kapoor tops the list, of course. No surprises there. The script is entertaining and funny. Well, more often than not. But the 7 / 10 is mostly because of the statement or the point that this movie tried to make about marriages in India. And even amidst the inconsistency of the movie, there is enough food for thought for this generation and for the country as a whole. As India slowly turns into an epitome of hypocrisy as a country, I have a feeling that this movie won't be acceptable by the average Indian audience though there is no sex or foreplay as such. But hey, curvy girls in bikinis running on the beach in some Salman Khan movie is just fine! As long as there is objectification. There are however both sexual and non-sexual peeves (for the Indian audience) thrown all over the movie and I found them brilliant as well as hilarious. Go ahead, take your family to this movie. Make them a little uncomfortable and be a little uncomfortable as well. Monkeys make out, we do too. It's okay! For once, don't judge. Bottomline: Definitely entertaining. Definitely funny. Yes, it is a little mindless and the story wanders off at times. But it's worth the watch!

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• Charming Rom-Com

  ahirjoy2013-09-09

  Sometimes we don't want to go for a movie to think about social issues,follow very complicated plots or enjoy super action scenes;sometimes we want to simply relax,forget everything and laugh out our worries in those 2.5 hours;"Suddh Deshi Romance" is one such movie - it is full of fun and laughter backed by power-packed,sweet and naughty performances and few nice songs around small town beautiful city Jaipur. It also depicts the current youth's dilemma about life long commitment. Rishi Kapoor in a special character was awesome, Sushant was brilliant, both the heroines(Parineeti and Vani) had done their parts beautifully though Parineeti had major on screen presence. Giving away anything more about the story will be gross injustice to this charming rom-com,Go,laugh,Relax and Enjoy with your friends and family.

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• Shuddh? Slightly. Desi? Noticeably. Romance? Absolutely. ♦ 44%

  TejasNair2013-09-06

  There's SOMETHING about this movie which is appealing. Some sequences are so alluring, it revs up your enthusiasm but some sequences shut them down permanently erasing the previously hatched-up zeal. Shuddh Desi Romance is thus an experimental coming-of-age flick which is laudable for its virility, but easily forgettable due to its monotony (and/or mindlessness). Sushanth Sigh Rajput's character is that of a recital bachelor who has some authenticity instilled into it. While on the other hand, the women's characters play see-saw here. Parineeti Chopra is, in her usual air, dashing, but I am not that impressed with the newcomer's acting. Rishi Kapoor completes the humor part. The plot is funny at times, serious in many nodes & significantly pragmatic throughout the narration. The individual shots of the three main leads in-between the average screenplay is one annoying thing collectively. Entertainment is delivered, but sporadically. Unless & until the viewer is prepared to dig deep inside the plot & carve him/herself to be comfy with the on screen steamy scenes, he/she wouldn't have enough food for thought. Otherwise, SDR talks something serious & relevant for the current generation. To sum it all up, a statement in the movie "Has the idea of marriage befallen?" truly is one lovable thing about the rather emotional movie. BOTTOM LINE: Recommended for love-birds to watch together. Lively songs & made-up dialogs altogether is a fine piece. Older generations (which doesn't include YOLO) could stay away. 4.4 out of 10 from a guy who is in his 20s and is solely rated so due to the high-octane romance. It is lite, and high on romance. Ignore the slow-downs & consider the potential. Not recommended for a theater-watch, although. Can be watched with a typical Indian family? NO Profanity: Mild | Mouth-Kiss: Strong | Sex/Foreplay: No | Violence/Gore: No | Porn/Drugs: No | Smoking/Alcohol: Mediocre

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