Charming leads and small-town warmth can't hide a contrived, creaky plot.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Bareilly Ki Barfi is broadly positive, with most reviewers finding it an entertaining, light-hearted romantic comedy that delivers an engaging watch. The film's three lead performances — particularly Rajkummar Rao's — are consistently singled out for praise, as is its authentic small-town texture and humour. The most recurring criticism is a thin, contrived screenplay: multiple critics note that the plot mechanics, especially in the second half, strain credibility and that the central conflict could have been resolved far more simply. A minority of reviewers found the film underwhelming overall, feeling it fell short of the promise suggested by its premise and cast.
3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 24 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
There is a lot to enjoy here but the script contrivances rankle. This is a movie that works on account of the trimmings: the acting, the clap-trap dialogues, and the authentic texture of the world that it's set in. If only there was more meat to the main dish. Nevertheless, Bareilly Ki Barfi is appropriately sweet and not a bad way at all to spend two hours.
Top critic
Film review ·
Rajkummar Rao blows away the weaknesses of this film with his consummate act, playing the timid 'chota shehari' on the one hand, and the loud 'rangbaaz' on the other. He sweetens the pot, and makes up for the rest of it.
Film review ·
Watch this film for a heartwarming experience in the movie-hall. You will not wean off the lovable 'Bareillyians' easily. You might even yearn for a second watch.
Film review ·
Bareilly Ki Barfi is a delicious film brilliantly narrated in Javed Akhtar's voice. If you are not doing anything this weekend, go watch it. If you are already engaged, please cancel your engagements and go and watch it.
Film review ·
There were moments in the movie when a loud laugh escaped my throat. But it didn't seem to matter. Because they were all laughing and my laughter was getting drowned in the laughter of those around me.
Film review ·
Quite like the money-spinner Tanu Weds Manu and its sequel, this film too keeps you invested in its rain and shine moments. As a bonus you get the peppy Sweety Tera Drama and Twist Kamariya tracks, both of which will get you grooving. Bite into this barfi for sure; it is bound to lift your spirits.
Film review ·
...is the one to be missed. Ashwini Iyer Tiwari has fulfilled the desires of a feel good mainstream rom-com in BAREILLY KI BARFI. It is delightfully sweet, delicious, comes with a twist and is powered by top notch performance from Kirti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao.
Film review ·
Barielly ki Barfi is a tasty sweet treat to rev up your weekend.
Film review ·
Bareilly ki Barfi boasts of a delightful first half, but a weak second half. But some really funny writing and terrific performances by Rajkummar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana, along with a brilliant supporting cast, add sweetness to the narrative. While it may not get high marks in its screenplay, it definitely is one of the better rom-coms of the year.
Film review ·
This is an entertaining, romantic film laced with humour and feel-good moments. Watch it, you won't be disappointed.
Film review ·
While it takes time for Bareilly Ki Barfi to warm up to you, the crackling second half and the arrival of Rao signals for good things to come. Watch this if you are in the mood to unwind with a romantic comedy filled with an endearing set of flawed, but sweet individuals.
Film review ·
Bareilly Ki Barfi is sweet and delightful. Its hilarious one-liners like, "Ye toh aastin ka anaconda nikla" and "Ye Bitti raat bhar kahan ghumti rehti hai, ladki hai koi chudail thode na hai," totally work. This light-hearted comedy refrains from being slapstick and slowly weaves its charm. Worth a watch.
Film review ·
Bareilly Ki Barfi is laced with some beautiful performances. It's a sweet love story with an ending that'll leave a smile on your face.
Film review ·
After Nil Battey Sannata, director Ashwini Iyer Tiwari brings us another engaging watch. There is no dull moment in the film. Light and fluffy, Bareilly Ki Barfi is no heavy seven-course meal, but it is quite the delicious dessert.
Film review ·
If you look at the film without these elements, it is a wafer-thin plot. But the actors and the quick humour that the narrative is laced with make the film engaging and entertaining. It might not have the vivacity and spark of Anand L Rai's films but comes quite close to replicating the charm of small-town romances from the North Indian heartland with its various nuances.
Film review ·
Bareilly Ki Barfi is purely a one time watch which has a few odd hilarious dialogues and some great performances but no storyline to it. It is certainly a light hearted film which is not as good as it promised to be.
Film review ·
Through all these pitfalls, the film works as the perfect cure for a lazy weekend afternoon. A walk to your nearest multiplex with a few people you enjoy watching films with could give you a few laughs and a feeling of your paisa being vasooled. As a work of art, however, this one struggles to get anywhere lower than its dry crust.
Film review ·
Despite the film being extremely simple in its content, the film will pick up only through word of mouth. Rajkummar Rao forms one of the major reasons for the cinegoers to go and see the film.
Film review ·
Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari beautifully captures the small town flavour in Bareilly Ki Barfi but the problem with this film, is that the hero fails to endear us to him. We have no logical reason to want to root for him.
Film review ·
...turns out to be as underwhelming as the trailer. Neither does it have the sparks of a romance, nor the laughs of a comedy. What it does have is some fine performances, lovely details and nuances that are not usually found in Hindi films. But, these actors have given finer performances. So, put together that makes Barielly Ki Barfi a "maybe watch if it happens to be playing" kind of a film.
Film review ·
has its moments and boasts of great performances but it's too unconvincing. Also, lack of face value and low-key promotions coupled with insipid music as well as domination by TOILET – EK PREM KATHA will spell doom for the film at the box office.
Film review ·
Bareilly Ki Barfi is a character-driven as all the characters are pivotal to the plot and backed by substantial writing. The three lead actors drive most of the narrative - Ayushmann's endearing expressions, Kriti's livewire presence and Rajkummar's unpredictable dialogue delivery provide the perfect ingrediendts for a sweet rom com that has its share of masala.
Film review ·
Without giving away much more, I'll say that ambitious plot machinations late in the film mean that neither Pritam's nor Bitti's behavior makes much sense—until it finally does and it's too late. Perhaps some viewers will appreciate this trickery. To me it felt like a sacrificing of character at the altar of cleverness.
Film review ·
The film might have been an attempt to create a good old-fashioned love triangle, but the events leading up to it feel unnecessarily contrived, and the plot (by Nitesh Tiwari and Shreyas Jain) wafer-thin and stretched. The so-called conflict could have been resolved if the leads had an honest two-minute conversation.
From our readers
8 ratings · user score 5.9
Javed Akhter's narrating is loveable, Director-script writer both tried their best, Ayushmann, Kriti provide good performances. But Rajkumar Rao's contribution is top, excellent. He is the real winner in this film. BKB is a soft refreshing rom-rom, but there are some flaws, unexpected situations , a weak first half. But it's not a bad one.
Last couple of days has been rather eventful with the Supreme Court passing the judgement that triple talaq is illegal, the Solar eclipse over the US & Nadal back to World No.1. Even I was quite busy with work commitments that I didnt quite find the time to pen down my thoughts about 'Bareilly ki Barfi". In normal circumstances, I wouldnt have bothered to write the review since it's been in the theatres for more than half a week. But I would have to admit, I was pretty entertained by it & as it doesnt have huge stars there is a good chance that many of my friends would have skipped or even be unaware about it. Hence I felt I should give you my opinion as to why it is worth a try. As the title indicates, the story unfolds in the bustling small town of Bareilly where Bitti Sharma (Kriti Sanon), a strong opinionated free spirited girl lived who was quite unlike other girls in the area. So much so, her mother (Seema Bhargava) constantly worried about the prospects of her daughter getting married off in the traditional manner. On the other hand, her father (Pankaj Tripathi), who ran a sweet shop gave his approval to all her crazy antics. None of the prospective grooms gave her the impression that they were ready to embrace her for the person that she was, until she stumbled across a novel called "Bareilly ki Barfi". Incidentally, the girl mentioned in the book had her same traits which made her decide to meet the author Pritam Vidrohi (Rajkkumar Rao). But all her efforts to locate him drew blank & therefore she sought the help of Chirag Dubey (Ayushmann Khurana), the publisher of the book who was said to know about his whereabouts. However, she was oblivious of the fact that Chirag was indeed the author. So why was Pritam being credited as the author??? The creator of this hilarious rom com is Aswiny Iyer Tiwari, who had made an impressive debut with "Nil Battey Sannata" that was critically acclaimed far & wide. She was aided in her task by her husband Nitesh Tiwari (of "Dangal" fame) who along with Shreyas Jain & Rajat Nonia had penned the script. It was sprinkled with humorous dialogues & situational comedy which was both realistic and in sync with the region where the story is based.Personally speaking, I absolutely loved the speech in the climax which kinda reminded me of Aamir in "Dil Chahta Hai". There are hardly much twists & turns making it fairly predictable.All the personnel involved in the technical aspects have done their jobs well. Frankly, I never thought Kriti Sanon would be able to do justice to the feisty character of Bitti as it seemed like a role which was up Kangana's alley. But she aced it in style along with Ayushmann who portrayed the forlorn lover as well as the grey shades in Chirag convincingly. But the star of the show is undoubtedly Rajkkumar Rao who was brilliant in the two avatars that he appeared. Equal praise needs to be vested upon Pankaj Tripahi, Seema Bhargava & Rohit Choudhary who have done utmost justice to their roles & also to Javed Akhtar's narration which made the viewing experience all the more enjoyable. Verdict: Undoubtedly one of the finest rom coms to have come out from Bollywood. Many a time, good movies do get overlooked due to the lack of star power. Hopefully this doesnt turn out to be one & therefore in case, you guys havent watched it; it wont hurt to give a try!!! Rating: 3.25/5 Regards...Ben
Ashwini Iyer Tiwari tells a woman's story and merges it up with a love triangle only to provide us with loads of cinematic sense of satisfaction. It is about Bitti (played by a terrific Kriti Sanon) who smokes, breaks into dance in family weddings and is always an 'unconventionally dysfunctional' Bharatiya ladki, who is not sanskaari. It's about the coming of two people- Chirag Dubey (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Pritam Vidrohi (Rajkummar Rao) in her life because of a confusion created by a chapbook called Bareli Ki Burfi and it turns out to be a pretending-to-be-a-love-triangle story, which, actually, is a genuinely heartfelt love story of two companions. This film works even after, like, decades? Because it has a fresh approach amd it isn't same old, same old. It is same old, same gold. It has the right punch to a coming-of-age romantic comedy. I'm going with 3 stars. Absolutely recommended.
Credits
Kriti Sanon
Ayushmann Khurrana
Rajkummar RaoPritam Vidrohi
Pankaj TripathiBitti's Father
Tiger ShroffBitti's HusbandHindi films like Bareilly Ki Barfi
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