This film may not offer a substantial take on any cause, but it is one of the many that take the debate forward. Being mainstream will only help it.

Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan’s film is a pulpy, uneven romantic caper that strives to pass itself off as a mellow tale of patriarchy, love, honour and ambition

Badrinath isn’t always successful in its continuous attempt to tickle and touch the heart. There are set-pieces that never quite work such as a scene where a man’s molestation by a gang of men is supposedly a source of amusement and a superfluous audition to find a groom. Despite a share of dull moments, Khaitan does manage to give some tropes refreshing spins and does well by emphasising on the significance of respect in a relationship. He doesn’t shy away from highlighting Badri’s and Vaidehi’s imperfections. The biggest takeaway from Badrinath is that a woman leads the way and saves the day. She alters the hero’s mindset and makes him a more considerate man. A better title would have been Vaidehi Ka Dulha.

Both the Shashank Khaitan movie and Varun Dhawan’s character have very few redeeming features. This seems like a film from the ’90s. In the ’90s, of course, one could get away with all kinds of stuff. Maybe, even now you can after all the lead actors look so effortless and easygoing on screen

Badrinath Ki Dulhania seems to go about it rather lazily – taking the simplest “next steps” without a introspective and/or an exploratory eye at, what real life dowry cases or cases where a woman is held down, look like.

The film is a full on masala entertainer with powerful acting by the actors, groovy songs, funny dialogues and marvellous chemistry, a typical Karan Johar film with Shashank Khaitan’s special touch to it. This Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt starrer surely delivers a thunderous Holi blockbuster.