Shubh Nikah Review: Simple and heartwarming!

SHUBH NIKAH

Producers: Bhupender Singh Sandhu and Arshad Siddiqui

Director: Arshad Siddiqui

Cast: Rohit Vikram, Aksha Pardasany , Govind Namdeo, Ehsan Khan, Pankaj Berry and Deepraj Rana

Released in theatres.

Review by Jyothi Venkatesh

The film is about a young Hindu boy Munnalal Mishra (Rohit Vikram) and a young Muslim girl Zoya (Aksha Pardasany) who fall in love with each other, without realising the obstacles and difficulties that their love will have to face. At first, though both the families object to this relationship when the love birds convince their respective families that the other is willing to convert, they agree. The families once again develop cold feet when, because of the impending conversion, troublemakers try to start mayhem and threaten to start communal riots.

The plot is definitely as old as the hills about two people from different religions who fall in love, but the so-called society doesn’t understand inter-caste love and ends up their enemy. Thus begins their battle to persuade their family and those who vehemently oppose their liaison. However, what makes the narrative of Shubh Nikah different from the other yarns of this ilk is the fact it maintains a progressive tone in storytelling even as it sets out to convey its message, making the film a well-intentioned effort.

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What makes the otherwise archaic film different is that the outing is based on the delightful idea of being free of all restrictions, religion, and other social boundaries that divide people. Mostly shot in Rishikesh, some of the views are simply breath-taking, but unfortunately they aren’t enough to keep the viewer glued to the screen throughout the length and breadth of the film. Mention ought to be made about the artistic art direction by Devdas Bhadare.

As far as the performances are concerned, debutante Rohit Vikkram, who has a Rajesh Khanna like mannerism, is good in parts, especially as far as the action sequences are concerned, but he needs to work on his acting skills if he has to make a mark in the industry. Pankaj Berry has been wasted in an inane role while Deepraj Rana is good. Govind Namdeo is quite loud.

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Aksha Pardasany, who has previously proved her mettle in the OTT space with ‘Kathmandu Connection’ and ‘Jamtara—Sabka Number Aayega,’ is a promising newcomer and effortlessly plays the chirpy and sensible Zoya, endearing herself at once tom the audiences. Arsh Sandhu who plays Zoya’s fiancé Sabir Khan is stereotyped as the character that he plays does not have shades at all and looks like it has been thrust in.

To put it in a nutshell, the film, though it has been mostly shot in Rishikesh, with some of the visuals simply breath-taking, isn’t enough to keep you glued to the screen the entire time.