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Prem Ratan Dhan Payo backdrop

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

12 November 2015Hindi2h 44m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 31 scored reviews · 10 not rated

Salman charms in a double role, but the film is thin and overlong.

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

  • Praised: Salman Khan's double role performance
  • Criticised: Overlong runtime and outdated story

Audience

User score 4.6 out of 10 from 24 ratings, Unfavorable
Read 9 audience reviews ↓

Critic consensus

What 40 critics are saying

Critical reception for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was mixed to moderately positive, with the majority of reviewers positioning it as a film strictly for Salman Khan fans and family audiences rather than a broad crowd-pleaser. Khan's double role and screen presence were the most consistently cited strengths, with several critics crediting him as the primary reason the film remains watchable. The most pervasive criticisms centered on the excessive runtime of nearly three hours, a thin and predictable storyline, and a filmmaking style widely described as outdated or recycled from Barjatya's earlier work. Sonam Kapoor's performance also drew notable negative attention from multiple reviewers.

How the 31 scores spread

10 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 40 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (41)

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

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    ...the predictable plotting and the lazy characterization never really allow you to be invested in any of the film's characters or to even care for them. Make no mistake, Salman Khan is the sole draw of this film, and he works hard for his top billing. The actor is in good form - terrific in the comic scenes, and earnest in the emotional ones - turning on the charm to help you survive, and even enjoy, this nearly 3 hour film that's crammed with songs, and over-styled to a fault.
  2. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    The overwrought PRDP might not be that bad, but it is syrupy to the point of being unendurable. Only for Salman Khan fans.
  3. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    ...draws heavily from Sooraj Barjatya's previous work, with one glaring cosmetic difference : he sets it not in homes that people like you and me live in, or relate to, but in a grand palace.
  4. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    ...is the perfect Diwali entertainer for the entire family. The film will win abundant love [prem], while its investors will reap a harvest [dhan], making it a memorable Diwali for all concerned. This one's a record-smasher -- scoring from East to West and from North to South, scoring at plexes as well as single screens, scoring at metros as well as non-metros, scoring in the domestic market as well as in the international arena. B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R!
  5. IndiaWest

    Film review ·

    The wait has been long — both for a Sooraj Barjatya film (nine years) and a Sooraj-Salman collaboration (16 years). The wait has indeed been worth it, and Barjatya can well relax, for he has managed to connect in times when the positive values he likes to project in his movies are considered laughably archaic.
  6. SKJBollywoodNews

    Film review ·

    ...is solidly grounded in family values. At a time when the joint family is getting fragmented here is a film from two people who would die for their family. For Sooraj and Salman, it's all about loving the family.And we love it...
  7. DNA India

    Film review ·

    PRDP is a must-watch for all Salman fans and will be best enjoyed with your family. Because no family film gets bigger than this one!
  8. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Straight away, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is Salman Khan's triumph. Salman simply blows the top off the theatres with a double role that makes you laugh, gasp, sigh - and cry.
  9. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    With everything seeming right, and bringing out his point of living together as a family, director Sooraj goes a bit overboard. After the family has let go off their differences, Sooraj goes on with additional scenes of bonding which are painful to watch. The film does give you a few 'values' to take back home, but it takes some patience to sit through it, especially the second half. For all those who love family sagas, drama and 90's style romance, this is one royal ride you might want to take.
  10. India

    Film review ·

    Through PRDP, Sooraj Barjatya has once again laid emphasis on family values and spreading love. There is romance, drama coupled with some action sequences towards the end make this movie a wholesome entertainer. All in all, PRDP is a perfect treat for the families this festive season.
  11. India Today

    Film review ·

    In all, the film works for both Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya's specific audience bases. While a Salman fan might miss his super-human antics at times, he does a great job otherwise. Watch the film for Salman.
  12. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    ...is not everyone's cup of tea! It is a family watch and best for those who love to watch happy endings with emotional undertones. This is a typical Rajshri affair so watch it only if you can digest it.
  13. PinkVilla

    Film review ·

    ... makes for a sparkling watch this Diwali. Fall for the grandeur, reconnect with values and try not to seek much of a story. Though we must warn you that sitting through a three-hour long film can be daunting in times of web-series and short films. But that's what Barjatya is all about. Take some time out of your busy schedules to return to a bygone era, of simpler things, family films and Prem - who is waiting for you with his arms open.
  14. Sify

    Film review ·

    The film has its faults, but with Salman Khan's dual force (yes, he plays a double role), a lilting romance, and the ODing on traditional values – this one's sure to hit the right spots with the family junta. Salman is real 'ratan' in this tradition-soaked romance, likely to bring in enough dhan for the makers!
  15. TheQuint

    Film review ·

    If you plan to go for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, you know what you are getting into. So make an informed choice. It's really all about your "prem" for Salman and the hilarious Rajshri memes that deserve full family viewing.
  16. Zee News

    Film review ·

    The director has tried his best to keep the ethics of Indian culture right at the centre of his screenplay. The movie is a sureshot family entertainer, without any uncomfortable scenes. However, it does take a while to digest that such a perfect family and ethics can co-exist in today's time.
  17. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    Sooraj Barjatya should never be blamed for believing in the goodness of the nineties and incorporating it in today's cinema. But what needs to be blamed is that he still sticks to the old style film-making and expects the audience to accept it. That's where Prem Ratan Dhan Payo as a film fails. What could have been Salman Khan's sweetest Diwali gift to his fans turns out to be so depressing that you wait for this festival to get over asap! If you are a true Salman Khan and have patience to bear melodrama for more than 3 hours, go enjoy the challenge!
  18. FilmiBeat

    Film review ·

    If you are a true Salman Khan fan, you shall enjoy it, otherwise not so much! For people who have loved Rajshri films in the past may also like it! It ain't that bad, but it ain't that good either! One time watch only!
  19. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    With a screenplay that's so lacklustre, dialogues so mediocre and settings so outdated, it might have been less torturous had the film not been painfully long at close to three hours. Mr. Winkle would have wanted to go back to sleep if he had been subjected to watching this one.
  20. Rediff

    Film review ·

    A lot of visible effort has gone in designing Prem Ratan Dhan Payo's opulence and scale but ultimately it is just lacklustre, recycled fare from a man stuck on men versus women sporting contests, midnight kitchen rendezvous and the pristine aura of Prem. The last one still holds good. Rest is just rah-rah.

From our readers

Audience reviews (9)

24 ratings · user score 4.6

  1. Siddhesh MundheNov 2015
    10/10

    This is the best family entertainer film...not like HAHK but Must watch film by salman and suraj

  2. Nisha PatelNov 2015
    3/10

    Not impressed at all. Didn't watch the whole movie to describe :( looks like Bollywood hangama has taken bribe to give the high ratings!

  3. J VIKASNov 2015
    8/10

    Post their last outing – 'Samrat & Co.' – an experiment which failed miserably, Rajshri are back to their principles ! To give the much needed impetus, Barjatiyas have banked on Salman – the "Prem" and the magic works big time. 'Prem ratan dhan payo (prdp)' is a clean family entertainer with a good mix of everything one can think of – family drama & relationships, family emotions (extremes of hatredness and love), romance, heartbreaks, a pinch of comedy and action, and good traditional feel music to back them all. The story is descent and borrows principles and feel of the epic - Ramayana, though it is predictable at times reminding of something similar which we may have seen in the past. One may find few loopholes and overstreched scenes in the script, but they are negligible when compared to the overall impact created. Cinematography & graphics – the sets are lavish and visually appealing; moments well captured & worth appreciating. Screenplay, editing & direction – sensibly thought and executed, could have been more crispier considering that it is a 3 hour long flick, nonetheless it is engaging and the length doesn't bother you too much. Dialogues – it is one of the highlights (a teaser – "har family me problem hai, par wo khushnaseeb hai jiski family hoti hai"). Music – HR's traditional compositions are a big plus; all songs are aptly placed and the lyrics + music carries the mood and story forward. Performances – With Bhajrangi Bhaijaan behind and now this one, the bhai has conveyed the message loud and clear that – don't come to theatres only for my brand name, I will give you substance. Really, it is Salman as "Prem dilwale" all the way with his amazing screen presence, comedy and emotions. In fact, there are many goosebump moments created by him. Sonam is pretty and has done fair justice. All side characters are excellent with special reference to the oldie – Anupam kher. To sum up, amidst overdose of commercial movies in recent times, this one stands out and touches you, though giving a 80's-90's feel. Bottomline: "A perfect Diwali gift for cine goers. Another 2015 blockbuster in the making….". Rating: 8/10.

  4. 7/10

    Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was a much awaited film by Sooraj Barjatya. Prem is back. Today, I realized that, I am also Sooraj Barjatya's fan. I have loved his earlier movies viz. Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Sath Sath Hain, Vivah etc. Sooraj's USP is to show movies with family values, where individuals grow beyond their self-interest. He does project characters with a bit of grey shades, but dwells more upon the positivity, feel-good factors in his films. It could be possible that everybody may not like Sooraj's movies. I have always loved the feel of his movies and I must admit that I loved Prem Ratan Dhan Payo as well. At the same time I will not shy away from saying that this film is far-fetched from reality. The film has larger than life canvas, a grand palatial palace, extravagant sets, songs, predictable plot etc. The hero, who gets injured after falling from height, can stand up on his feet with a small bandage on his back within a span of 4-5 days - how is it possible? The villain, who can go to the extent of attempting murder of his family member, can repent and reconcile on the spur of a moment, which definitely is not so convincing. There is as such no suspense at all in the film. The film uses the formulae of conflicts within the family members, efforts to set things right, clear distinction between black and white, reunite the estranged family members etc. The reasons for the enmity, vengeance by the family members were not properly established, which leaves the audience with a disconnect. I was also forced to think that why Salman in his all latest movies is shown as a devotee of God as well as he is shown to be standing for a cause. Is it intentional? In spite of all these factors, the thought after watching Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is "So What!!!" This film could bring smile on lot of faces. Indeed there are moments of joy, laughter, values, family togetherness etc. The film begins with Dilwalon ki Ramleela. Chaubey ji (Sanjay Mishra) organizes this Ramleela, who does not have any qualms in making his Ramleela team compromise with inferior materials, shoes etc. The only person, whom he listens to is Prem (Salman Khan). Prem makes a grand entry into the Ramleela venue. Prem collects a part of his income for donating it to a charitable foundation Uphaar. The connection between Prem and Uphaar is Princess Maithili (Sonam Kapoor), whom he had seen while rescuing flood victims. Prem was instantly infatuated with Maithili. He discusses his desire with his friend Kanhaiya (Deepak Dobriyal) to meet her and both of them decide to go to Delhi where she runs her Uphaar foundation. Later, when Prem comes to know that she is coming to Pritampur for the coronation of her fiancée Yuvraaj Vijay singh, he decides to go there. Frames shift to Pritampur, where preparations are on for the coronation of Yuvraaj Vijay Singh (Salman Khan in double role). Diwan (Anupam Kher) suggests Yuvraaj Vijay Singh that his two sisters should go to station to welcome and receive princess Maithili and that is when audience gets the feel that there is conflict within the family. On Diwan's insistence, Vijay Singh goes to meet his two estranged sisters Chandrika (Swara Bhaskar) and Radhika (Aashika Bhatia). Chandrika is not ready to interact with Vijay Singh without her lawyer Mr. Bhandari's presence. Vijay walks out and on his way back, he falls prey to the pre-planned conspiracy and gets badly injured in an attack. While he fights his life's battle in a secret segment of the royal fort, Prem and Kanhaiya are spotted by Vijay Singh's close aide and brought to Pritampur. And the suspense is lifted that Vijay's younger step brother Ajay (Neil Nitin Mukesh) is behind this conspiracy. Diwan plans to bring Prem and Kanhaiya to the fort as Vijay Singh and as an esteemed photographer respectively. What happens thereafter? How Prem moulds himself in Vijay Singh's role? Is he able to leave his mannerisms of a nautankiwala and become a sophisticated prince Vijay Singh. Is he able to generate seeds of love in Maithili's heart? Is he able to reunite Vijay's estranged step sisters – Chandrika and Radhika and bring them back to fort? Is he able to ignore his own love for Maithili for Vijay's sake? What happens to Maithili and Prem's love? What happens, when Maithili comes to know that she is loving Prem who is not the real Prince Vijay Singh? Does the family unite together ever, if yes, how? How does Prince Vijay react and respond to the changes which Prem has brought in? Maithili decides to choose whom- Prem or Vijay? Is Prem able to sacrifice his love for Maithili? Watch the film. Sooraj Barjatya has given a perfect Diwali treat to Salman Khan fans through his style of film-making. Sooraj has done what he is best at. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is indeed an entertainer in spite of its predictable plot and his typical formulae of family based movies in an opulent manner. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo has its own moments of entertainment.

  5. Rahul RDDec 2015
    4/10

    Terrible to the core. Songs are fun though.

  6. Samresh BhardwajDec 2015
    1/10

    Never watch this movie if you cant stand poor acting.

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

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