The film then is easy and breezy, although too long at nearly two-and-a-half hours. Predictable and occasionally misguided, but also hopelessly fun.

While the going is good, ‘Shaadi’ is fun, and real, and has some nice laugh-out-loud situations which the leads make the most of. But marriage takes two, and the tango here is only from Sid’s perspective : how about showing us what it could be like from Trisha’s?

The screenplay lurches randomly, eventually leading to a climax so convoluted and false that much of the affection I had for Sid and Trisha evaporated.

Which is such a shame because until then, I was having so much fun.
Shaadi Ke Side Effects is in equal parts, enjoyable and exasperating. Pretty much like the average marriage.

Shaadi Ke Side Effects is a greater film on screen than it is on paper because it has the talented Mr Akhtar and Ms Balan. Both bring warmth and a mature, knowing naughtiness to their interactions. They are fun to be with.

While Chaudhary has aptly showcased the problems faced by couples once they become parents, he has gone overboard with his portrayal of two individuals trying to find ‘me-space’ as they grapple with parental responsibilities.

Shaadi Ke Side Effects is recommended because, despite its flaws, it is passable fun while it lasts.

Single or married, this film will have more of a ‘special effect’ than ‘side effect’ on you.

Vidya is brilliant and hits a high note in the emotional scenes. The film belongs to Farhan who stuns you with his straight-faced witticisms and plethora of expressions that amuse and move dramatically.

There is a funny idea in here somewhere, and it is good enough for a sitcom. But when you stretch it into a two-and-half-hour film, things are bound to get dull. If you are one of those people who enjoy the jokes that appear in your SMS inbox, perhaps you might enjoy this film. If not, avoid this one.

The film is titled ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’ but it is more about parenthood ke side effects.The second half gets a bit heavy and stretched. But the climax saves the film.

Frankly, I love the first half of the film. It was gripping and taut, though unoriginal, I thought it was magnificently done. The vivid and sparkling chemistry of Vidya and Farhan manage to hold you through tight and still. However, in the second half, the film begins a journey downhill, slipping vigorously slide by slide, getting schmaltzy quite unjustifiably. But in the end it still manages to deliver a product that is overall a surprising winner of sorts.

The movie was a well thought-out project. The dialogues and plot are fresh. But by the second half, the movie drags a lot. Goes without saying that the good actors that they are, Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan seemed to do a good job. The movie is a good attempt. Watch it if you’re married. Or otherwise, to learn.

…a delicious take on contemporary relationships. This one’s relatable, heart-warming, amusing and thoroughly enjoyable!

Vidya Balan is sincere in her act but it is Farhan Akhtar who carries the film through. His comic timing and his portrayal of emotions elevates the film considerably. Shaadi Ke Side Effects is like a meal which has a promising appetizer, bland main course with the odd tasty chutney.

The complete lack of conviction translates on screen as a story that is half-baked and tepid at best.

Had the same film been made with lesser actors, it would’ve been another forgettable rom com. But Farhan and Vidya save this film from mediocrity. There’s no catchy music, there’s very little to hold your interest in terms of story and/or creative concept. There is some meaty dialogue though. And that helps supporting actors like Ram Kapoor, Ila Arun and Vir Das help bring home the bacon.

…started out with a lot of promise but like a talented cricketer, overburdened with sudden fame, soon died out.

The film is fun but shallow, nevertheless. A pity, because with a subject of this kind, the possibilities were immense.

Despite the brilliant performances and some incredibly funny situations, Saket’s narrative slumps innumerable times over the two-hour-and-twenty-five-minutes screen time.

But if you have time to spare, then ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’ is a fairly enjoyable ride. Only, don’t go looking for any marriage counseling here because you are not going to find it.

Chaudhary’s script doesn’t have any of the maturity that real life demands of a married couple. Despite having two actors who are happily married in real life, what Shaadi… gives us is a portrait of a resoundingly unhappy marriage between two people who have just one flash of passionate chemistry right at the start of the film. After that, it’s just unhappily ever after.

…entertaining fare for the youngsters and the class audience but only upto a point, after which the entertainment quotient goes down completely. It will, therefore, not be able to achieve much at the box-office. The start is not upto the mark and although collections will pick up in the high-end multiplexes during the weekend, business in smaller centres and single-screen cinemas will be way below the mark. Flop.

To sum it up, Shaadi Ke Side Effects is a great rom-com gone bad. The movie still is a great watch only and only for its first half.

Pardon Saket Chaudhary for a few minutes in the second half which are a bit extended, rest the film entertains and tickles your funny bone.

A warm, funny, thought-provoking take on the man-woman equation, director Saket Chaudhary gets it bang on. The chemistry between Farhan and Vidya crackles and hisses with tantalising tension. Brittle and yet supple, the lead pair’s chemistry irons out the film’s uneven edges. I wish the peripheral characters were written and played better.

With a take on relationships that starts off as modern, but cops-out; it’s the humour and performances that are worth savouring. Guess that would even the scales for a just about decent watch.

The problem though is that they try to inject it with humor using an exaggerated dose of hyperbole – only to end up flat on its face. Worse yet, you have seen almost all the quippy one-liners in the trailers. Other than a couple of witticisms in the first 15-20 minutes, there is hardly any new material that makes you laugh later in the film.

…displays massive potential, but never quite manages to live up to it (This year’s Shuddh Desi Romance?). It tries to be too many things at once – a slice-of-life comedy, a tearjerker, commentary on marriage – without really managing to nail any one of them. At best, it’s a good half time watch.

There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching a promising film dissipate within the acid of its own intentions. That I still don’t doubt its crowd-pleasing roots is a testament to the actors involved, despite the one unforgiveable behavioral flaw: A football fan that puts his wife, job and kids ABOVE the game?

Shaadi Ke Side Effects is so humorous and real that you will relate to the plot very easily. And if you are not married, it may appear that this is something you will experience post marriage. Director Saket Chaudhary handles the situations of a married life with great finesse. He connects the sequel to its prequel in a very smooth way.

But it’s the chemistry between Balan and Akhtar that keeps this romantic comedy tingling. They have an effortless chemistry and we buy into their marriage madness primarily because of their acting muscles. While it’s engaging and non-preachy for most parts, it’s best if you don’t question how Sid, who plays a struggling musician, affords that slick lifestyle and a nanny in a single income household. If you can forego such practicalities, you are good to watch Shaadi Ke Side Effects.