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Khoobsurat backdrop

Khoobsurat

19 September 2014Hindi2h 33m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 30 scored reviews · 9 not rated

Fawad Khan charms, but a thin script keeps this rom-com in the original's shadow.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Fawad Khan's screen presence
  • Criticised: Weak script, inferior to original

Audience

User score 6.8 out of 10 from 8 ratings, Mixed
Read 5 audience reviews ↓

Critic consensus

What 36 critics are saying

Critical reception for Khoobsurat was mildly positive, with the majority of reviewers finding it a likable, lightweight romantic comedy suitable for one-time viewing. Fawad Khan's screen presence and chemistry with Sonam Kapoor were the most consistently highlighted strengths across reviews. The most common criticism was the weakness of the script and the film's failure to match the charm of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1980 original, with several critics also noting Sonam Kapoor's performance as overwrought. A number of reviewers explicitly framed the film as niche fare aimed at fans of the genre rather than general audiences.

How the 30 scores spread

9 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 36 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (39)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    It may not be for everyone, but for those who seek comfort in the familiar, it's a pretty satisfying watch.
  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    'Khubsoorat' is bubblegum-y and air-headed and good-natured, and its biggest strength is that it keeps it consistent, becoming one of those films that over-delivers precisely because it under-promises.
  3. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    Khoobsurat offers up the expected -- only it does so with a smirk...
  4. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Sadly, Shashanka displays none of the eccentric creativity that we saw in his earlier films, though he does create moments of charm.
  5. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Khoobsurat is a pretty good show. It is both funny and flashy, but its many flourishes are delivered in measures that religiously avoid excess.
  6. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    Khoobsurat is entertaining, fun and paisa-vasool. If you have been wondering "what's all the fuss about Fawad Khan?", don't miss this one!
  7. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    This Khoobsurat may not have the realistic charm of its predecessor and certain twists seem abrupt. But it is the convincing performances by Aamir, Fawad, Ratna and Kirron that manage to lift the storyline. And when little things go wrong, Fawad's intense gaze helps you forget them. Bollywood may have just found its Mr Darcy.
  8. India Today

    Film review ·

    Khoobsurat is not going to blow you away cinematically but has enough to keep you engaged and entertained for its screen time. Warning: Sonam's unduly multi-coloured, garish wardrobe could distract you.
  9. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Khoobsurat isn't for people who don't have the appetite for romantic comedies or who aren't fairytale believers. They will go with incorrect expectations and come back disappointed on grounds of it being unrealistic primarily. I did not mind the lack of novelty because it was afterall a well executed film. Fawad Khan as Prince Charming is the show stealer here and he makes his chemistry with Sonam look fantastic! Bubbling with energy, breezy and beautiful, this film is a good enough, passably enjoyable one time watch.
  10. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    Fairy tales are fantasies served with candyfloss. 'Khoobsurat' aims to be just that, only it is less creative fantasy and dripping more of sugary syrup. Watch it once if you love rom-coms or better still, if you are a Fawad Khan fan.
  11. Sify

    Film review ·

    This film has little of the gentle nuance of the Hrishikesh Mukherjee-directed original, but it's still pretty good fun. This Bollywood-Disney fairytale combo is worth a shot!
  12. Wogma

    Film review ·

    ...it's something I would recommend for a light Sunday afternoon. It is guilty pleasure. It is saccharine sweet and fluffy. It is candy floss - it won't satiate your appetite, but will feel good while you are at it and a little after.
  13. Zee News

    Film review ·

    The movie is filled with many fun moments and does not compel you to be prepared for a hard-hitting melodramatic journey. Overall, a light, bright and colourful cinematic experience, with Fawad as an eye-candy, who knows his job to the 't'.

From our readers

Audience reviews (5)

8 ratings · user score 6.8

  1. VikramSept 2014
    9/10

    it has wonderful comedy .inthe

  2. Humayun ShahzadSept 2014
    10/10

    Nice movie

  3. NagmaNov 2014
    7/10

    Khoobsurat , a Walt Disney movie actually appears to be a fairytale. The main characters Dr.Mrinalini Chakraborty (played by Sonam Kapoor) and Prince Vikram (played by Fawad Khan) are a deadly combination. It can be easily said that both of them are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful looking people in the glamour world. The story revolves around Dr. Mili who has been assigned a very difficult task of making the wheel-chaired Maharaja (Prince Vikram's Dad)recover and stand up on his feet. Mili is a free-spirited woman and is shown to be averse to the disciplines imposed by the Maharani (played well by Ratna Pathak). Mili's mom played by Kiron Kher is a character similar to her earlier roles as a punjabi mother.However, somehow you would still enjoy the comical scenes and would not complain that it is repetitive. Mili is smitten by Prince Vikram (Viku as she quickly nicknames him) charm and good looks of course!and she doesn't mind expressing her feelings. Prince Vikram on the other hand is strikingly opposite and is also engaged to a princess (played by Aditi Rao Hydari). Best part of the movie is that it is fun-filled and will manage to keep a smile on your face throughout. You need not analyse too much on the story as it just simple and sweet. I am a little disappointed with Sonam's acting which is good but could have been better...she was nearly there ....but a little far from nailing it! This could have brought more life to the movie because she was the main protagonist. I hadn't known Fawad Khan till I heard and saw this movie. This was his debut and I must say that he performed really well. This down to earth, heart-throb is quite an experienced actor back in Pakistan and has won many accolades and awards for his roles in popular tele-series "Humsafar" and "Zindagi Gulzaar Hai". These series are worth watching for his fans and also for his exemplary works. Khoobsurat is a complete visual and emotional treat! You would crave for more when the movie ends because "abhi toh party shuru hui hai!"

  4. sophia ajazMay 2015
    5/10

    1. KHOOBSURAT (1980): Rekha, Rakesh Roshan - BEST 2. KHOOBSURAT (1999): Urmila Matondkar, Sanjay Dutt - MEDIOCRE 3. KHOOBSURAT (2014): Sonam Kapoor, Fawad Khan - WORST Meg Cabot's novel THE PRINCESS DIARIES (2000) was made into a movie (2001) with the same name. Following its success, a sequel THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT (2004) was made, which was mediocre. KHOOBSURAT (2014) is based on this sequel. Let's NOT compare it with KHOOBSURAT (1980) as that is like comparing hell with heaven. (Understatement). It defies logic why KHOOBSURAT (2014) was ever made? On second thoughts, forget logic, put this question plain and simple and still you won't find an answer. Sonam Kapoor (29) doesn't know to act. Were she not her father's daughter, she'd find it impossible to land up any acting role. Forget being a fashionista, she is just a cloth horse, who can at best be a scare crow. With her height, she scares away even the crows along with the audience. Disney had spare change so they invested in this movie. Rest as they say, is history - I mean, literally. This movie is a literal dud. With her hollow cave like mouth, Sonam tries to laugh cheerfully. Reminds me of other 'similar' (flop) star-kids - Esha Deol, Soha Ali Khan, Tushar Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Abhishek Bachchan, Prateek Babbar, etc. Sonam doesn't even have acting boots so she needn't worry about hanging them up. The shoes will hang (YES!) themselves up (mercifully). At, 29 she doesn't get any younger. She doesn't look like a princess. Kavvi chali hans ki chaal. Bhool gayi apni bhi chaal. Fawad Afzal Khan (32): Let's not talk about Hindustan-Pakistan here. Actors have no boundaries. They are universal. Fawad must have acted for free in this movie for sure. Disney got two for free (Sonam, Fawad) and it wants the audience to pay for this BS of a movie. No ways. Anil Kapoor must have chipped in for advertising, publicity and marketing. UTV must have paid for theatrical rentals. Fawad looks like he is attending a mushaira. The stubble doesn't make him look chic or royal. And he carries his drama acting in this movie. Kiddo, stick to those dramas. And if you wish to progress to Bollywood, learn from Ali Zafar. And that is a tall order. End Note: If you still wish to watch this movie, you can - for Kiran Kher is simply superb. And you may ask, where is the review! Well, do today's movies require REVIEWS? They require a kick in the a** for lack of story! Happy Kicking, I mean, sweet dreams over the weekend. smile emoticon Narendra Modi should watch this movie along with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Li is KHOOB and Narendra has SURAT. It has SURAT in it. Of course, bad-surat! smile emoticon After watching this movie, if you still remember what khoobsurat (beautiful) means, then consider yourself sane. You will also find it hard to decide, who is more khoobsurat - hero or the heroine?

  5. 7/10

    Khoobsurat is one delicately made and particularly (largely) decorated film which is better than The Princess Diary of theirs. Sonam Kapoor eloquently performs the character and pays the utmost attention to the character. The sweeping visuals marked a tribute to Hrishikesh Mukherjee's feel-good Khubsurat which was a so-bad-its-good film starring Rekha. However, the power of this film, singularly, is its writing. Whether it be the angle showing Sonam's Bengali father and Punjabi mother, Sonam's love story with Fawad or anything else, the film is just penned to priclessness. The character of Mili, the lead, is particularly impressive. Its hands-down more than just a very watchable film. It's the genuine fun that has been sorely missing from cinemas in recent times. I am going with 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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