Luka Chuppi review: Kartik Aaryan’s perfect comic-timing makes this romantic comedy worth a watch!

Luka Chuppi is like that roller-coaster ride that starts off on a slow pace, but give it some time and once it really picks up speed, then you are in for a fun ride. The film starts on a somber note, but builds up the tempo as it progresses and as an audience you do not want to miss this ride! Through its protagonists, the film explores ‘live-in relationship’ and the obstacles that the youth have to grapple with in a society where the modern concept is frowned upon.

What Luka Chuppi is all about: Guddu Shukla (Kartik Aaryan) comes from a conservative middle-class Brahmin family based in Mathura. He and his best buddy Abbas (Aparshakti Khurana) are reporters with a local cable news channel in Mathura. Rashmi (Kriti Sanon) – who is the daughter of the local politician Trivedi (Vinay Pathak) – joins the duo as an intern. Together, they set about working on a report on live-in relationships with some interesting results. While the report itself throws up some surprising views, a song later Guddu and Rashmi’s love story too takes off.

Now, Trivedi and his political party workers are self-declared ‘Sanskriti rakshaks’ who believe in moral policing of the youth. So, not only are young lovers across the city rounded up and beaten, but even a film star who admits to being in a live-in relationship is not spared by this right wing group. His films are banned and he is even declared to be a traitor for it. However, Trivediji’s ‘modern Delhi-return’ daughter Rashmi has a different belief system. So, when Guddu proposes marriage, Rashmi suggests that they try out living in together before committing. Work takes them to Gwalior for 20 days which provides the perfect set-up for them to try out their live-in relationship. The two pretend to be a married couple to find accommodation and ultimately find a house which is plagued by a nosy neighborhood aunty. But things are fine and the couple enjoys their ‘live-in’ experience, until Guddu’s family turns up at their doorstep. What follows is a comedy that’ll leave you in splits, as the story takes one hilarious turn after another.

Yay: By now we have come to expect Kartik Aaryan to be good at romantic comedies and his comic-timing. With Luka Chuppi he takes a little time to come into his elements, but once he does, there’s no looking back. The young actor is a natural and he sails through every scene like a charmer. He owns up the small-town boy’s character of Guddu and not once does he let his act or the accent slip. But the one actor who’s a scene-stealer here is Pankaj Tripathi. The actor is a treat to watch and there’s not a single frame with him that won’t leave you laughing. Kriti is charming and her performance will remind you of her earlier film Bareilly Ki Barfi. Realistically shot, we’d give nearly full marks to the cinematographer, costume designer, set designers and above all the casting department.

The film is ably-supported by the rest of the cast led by Aparshakti and Vinay Pathak coming a close second. The nosey neighbouring aunty though predictable makes you laugh. The film’s strength lies in it being a situational comedy instead of it being a slapstick over-the-top kind of an affair. Pankaj and Kartik together are a riot to watch in some scenes, especially the ones involving Guddu’s brother Vikas. He is also one of the characters who will make you laugh each time he comes on screen. The background tracks of old Hindi numbers being played works wonders and adds to the situational comedy. The scene where Kartik is bidding goodbye to his family before moving to Gwalior to live-in with Kriti is hilarious with the bidaai song of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun playing in the background.

Nay: Though director Laxman Utekar has done a good job, the direction and editing could’ve been tighter. The first half lacks a punch and saving a few scenes doesn’t boast of as many laughs as the second half does. It almost looks like the director took a while before becoming comfortable at his job. The film’s own numbers aren’t very impressive and could’ve been done away with completely. The film is predictable to say the least and the dialogues are not too hilarious either. There are some scenes that just don’t add up, like in a scene where Aparshakti says his mobile ‘daataa’ is over, why couldn’t the hero and heroine, use their own phones instead. These few glitches could’ve been avoided.

CineBlitz verdict: We’d recommend you watch the film for the comic-chemistry between Kartik and Pankaj. The chemistry between Kriti and Kartik is also adorable. Kartik yet again proves that when it comes to comedies, his comic-timing is impeccable. Besides these two, the film will also get our thumbs-up for the laughter inducing scenes more in the second half. So watch it if you are in mood for some light-hearted fun this weekend. You won’t regret it for sure.