Bhatt and Kapoor charm, but a hollow script and gimmick overload hold it back.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Critic consensus
Critical consensus on Shaandaar leans negative to mixed, with most reviewers expressing disappointment given director Vikas Bahl's previous work on Queen. The film is most commonly faulted for a weak, soulless screenplay, an over-reliance on gimmicks such as animation and excessive VFX, and the use of stereotypes played for cheap laughs. A minority of critics found it a breezy, feel-good watch aimed at younger audiences. The cast, particularly Alia Bhatt and Shahid Kapoor, and the film's visual appeal and grand production design received isolated praise.
10 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 41 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
While it does not live up to its title as a package, it fulfils much of the expectations that the audience might have from a film produced jointly by Karan Johar on the one hand and Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap on the other. It brings together two different worlds and succeeds in striking a balance between the two. For that, and for much else, Shaandaar deserves hearty ovation.
Top critic
Film review ·
These are small mercies in a wildly inconsistent film that seesaws unevenly between charming and WTF! It's especially disappointing coming from the very writers and director that gave us last year's terrific Queen. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Top critic
Film review ·
...a non-stop barrage of stereotypes being played for laughs: rich Sindhi men and their love for living life large, grooms obsessed with their eight-and-a-half packs, limp-wrists and fat waists. Where's the 'shaan' in all this?
Top critic
Film review ·
It looks spiffy and there's some gloss to like, but overall Shaandaar is pretty much -- as Alia calls the fourth finger of each hand -- useless.
Film review ·
As one of the characters quizzes, why must we do every thing out of necessity, why can't few things done for the fun of it, Shaandaar is simply fun, fun, fun and frothy enough to pull it off.
Film review ·
Must watch movie people! Shaandaar is everything that you need this weekend, so don't miss watching it in the theaters with your loved ones by your side!
Film review ·
...is a feel good movie that will make you leave the cinema hall with a smile on your face, despite its flaws. It will mainly appeal to the youth who seem to be the target audience for the film.
Film review ·
...isn't so Shaandaar afterall. However, being a rom-com and in the name of Vikas Bahl, I recommend it to be watched at least ones.
Film review ·
As a film, it works overall despite the flawed screenplay and the overdone gimmicks like animation, excessive VFX and DI and what-have-you. Somewhere in the confusion, director Vikas Bahl, the man who made two landmark films, "Chillar Party" (with a co-director) and "Queen," wants to tell a different story in a tried-and-tested genre and ends up telling it decently.
Film review ·
It is great to watch, enjoyable in parts, a treat for romantics who finally get a film that is more than trials and tribulations of love but it never gives you the heady high of mushrooms and pot brownies. Shaandaar isn't all that Shaandaar but is a breezy, feel-good entertainment that will soon in future will be counted as comfort-cinema. Bahl deserves to be applauded for creating newer tangents to deliver on and not replicating what already exists. Until next time, dream on!
Film review ·
Suffice to say that Shaandaar is no Queen. A fairytale warrants a happy ending. Sadly this one leaves us hungry for something more substantial. It visually stunning but unlike Queen this one isn't for everyone. Go for it only if you are a Shahid-Alia fan.
Film review ·
There are a lot of good moments in 'Shaandaar' but they are not stringed together as seamlessly as they were in 'Queen'. I guess, the crux of the issue is that the plot here is not as solid and cohesive as the Kangana starrer. In that sense, nothing feels repetitive in this film, our director shows a very indulgent side of his personality here as opposed to the restraint he had shown in his previous film.
Film review ·
A perfect recipe made out of crackling humour, love-teased cameo, family drama and a few 'wake up' moments of life. This brings us to the climax of the film which was the best. Oh what a 'raita failau' closure Bahl gives to the movie!
Film review ·
Despite all that, watch this film this festive weekend because it's been sometime since we saw a KJo embellishment onscreen.
Film review ·
It's surprising that Bahl, who gave us a touching comedy like Queen, could make a film that's all sheen and no soul. But if you like grand Indian weddings, you may find yourself rooting for Shaandaar. For others, it's not a happy ending.
Film review ·
Shaandaar does not meet up to the expectations. If you are expecting something extraordinary from Bahl's latest venture, you will leave the cinema halls with dashed hopes.
Film review ·
Bahl's scenes are seen falling flat most of the time, and he isn't even able to whip out something to keep us captivated during the boring parts. He however succeeds in bringing out the best from his actors.
Film review ·
Director Vikas Bahl, best known for helming films like Queen and Chillar Party, has acquired a reputation for himself and unfortunately for him, people have expectations from this one. But unlike his previous ventures, this one lacks soul, sensitivity and a scriptwriter.
Film review ·
As a cohesive whole, the film is a merry mess. Shaandaar, then, is a peculiar film - to be enjoyed for its beautiful moments, and to be endured for its bizarre ones.
Film review ·
The film is largely unreal, exaggerated and a not-so-Shaandaar continuation of Bahl's work.
Film review ·
Gatecrashing a Sindhi wedding would be more fun than spending time and money on this one.
Film review ·
Watch this one only if you are a die hard fan of Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt or if you have nothing better to do this weekend.
Film review ·
With the kind of technical support it got, Shaandaar would have been a much better film if it had resisted the temptation of being too offbeat.
Film review ·
The film tries to get all preachy about fat people, that everyone has feelings and all that. But the same film also made a string of gay-fashion-designer-rich-blingy-show-off-Sindhis-small-eyed-Chinese-Japanese jokes. It's then a trifle hard to take this movie seriously.
Film review ·
The story lacks imagination, the screenplay is shoddy and the dialogues unfunny. Some humour goes unlaughed at and rest goes undigested. For instance, there's a scene where it is hinted that a respected business magazine takes money to put people on their covers, and another one when a young lad sets his grandma on fire.
Film review ·
In essence, the story is told almost like a Disney musical. It is grand and looks beautiful. You might almost suspect that it could be Sooraj Barjayta at the helm. Nah, not quite!
Film review ·
Shaandaar is awfully written and indifferently directed enough to put you off destination weddings forever.
Film review ·
Shaandaar has a fun plot. However in his attempt to spoof destination weddings of the bankrupt and the famous, Vikas Bahl, (who also directed that gem, Queen) forgot to take a script along.
Film review ·
Undoubtedly, it is a mish-mash of ideologies, of film-making aesthetics. I cannot shake off the big question mark – why? Why would a perfectly sane director go about doing this? You can't even call this experimentation because individually every thing that the film does has been done before. Maybe, true to the film's theme – it was not a film, it was a business deal.
Film review ·
...we've seen it impersonating so many Indian properties on screen over the years that it now feels more like a party plot in Thane.
Film review ·
...relies more on the youthful appeal of its lead actors than a tight screenplay. Sometimes, it pretends to raise an issue, but then shies away from dealing with it. Let me introduce you to the basic premise of the film which mistakes Sindhis for a community of money minded devils.
Film review ·
This is neither Shaandaar nor zabardast. It's just fluff!
Film review ·
Dud characters in a stinking plot...
Film review ·
Sweet in parts, silly in parts- this film is exactly what the doctor ordered this festive season. A reminder that everyone- gay guys, street-smart orphans, illegitimate children, diffident men and fat girls- can get a happy ending. At least in films!
Film review ·
While the theme evidently lacks novelty, it was intriguing to see how director Vikas Bahl, who showcased glimpses of wedding fun in his spectacular 'Queen', pitched his second innings on a desi destination wedding.
Film review ·
Vikas Bahl should've done better with Shaandaar. The biggest mistake he makes is to not trust his actors. In scenes where he opts for animation, he should've just let Pankaj Kapur and Alia Bhatt do the magic. But he doesn't. He chooses to rely on cheap frills. And no matter how much money you spend padding up gimmicks, they don't work like the real thing.
Film review ·
With all this against them, it's to the cast's credit that Shaandaar isn't unwatchable. Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt look gorgeous and do their best to keep you entertained with their easy delivery and sharp dance moves. However, the two are entirely unconvincing as a couple, unless love in 21st century India is made up of chaste distances and inane chatter.
Film review ·
Shaandaar isn't entirely unbearable — at least it saves itself from descending to Welcome Back-level garbage status courtesy a few performances.
Film review ·
Shaandaar is an entertaining film and will be loved by the youth, especially in the cities. It will emerge amply victorious at the box-office on the strength of youth patronage. Business in the good multiplexes will be excellent but that in the lesser multiplexes and less-maintained single-screen cinemas will be below the mark.
Film review ·
For two hours, Shaandaar strains to entertain, throwing everything from animation to skydiving at the audience. Then, with around 20 minutes to go, Bahl seems to let go of the reins and everything careens out of control. The film ends on such a vague and uninspiring note, it feels like the director himself gave up on it.
Film review ·
"Shaandaar" has good locations, jazzy dance numbers and lots of glitz and shine, but if you break down the surface, what stands exposed is its completely vacant centre. It would be funny if it wasn't such a tragic waste of talent.
Film review ·
The 146-minute movie proceeds in a jerky and slapdash fashion, and only a few sequences hit the mark. Most of the comedy seems to be in the form of one big private joke that does not travel beyond the borders of the set.
Film review ·
Unlike Queen, it doesn't feel like a take-off from a lived reality. There are some honest moments between JJ and Alia and Alia and her father that make you go gooey but for rest of the time it floats between generic and farcical.
From our readers
9 ratings · user score 4.7
This movie is really shandaar all actors are nice specially Aaliya Bhatt
FEEL GOOD HAPPY MOVIE. ALIA BHATT IS AWESOME..
Its nothing but a huge 'MESS' ! And its even more heartbreaking that it comes from the director of Queen !
Shaandaar is a romantic comedy film directed by Vikas Bahl. Vikas has given hits like Chillar Party and Queen in the past. Shaandaar deserved a much shaandaar treatment by Vikas after his super successful film Queen. It is also claimed to be first Destination Wedding film of Bollywood. The film does use the motion picture in a few scenes where prelude to the plot is set and narrated by Naseeruddin Shah. Though the film starts on a high note of humour, but in the later parts of the film, the fun part falls flat, it fizzles down. The best part of the film is its cast - effortless Pankaj Kapur, spontaneous Shahid Kapur, bubbly Alia, cute Sanah. They definitely bring good moments on screen. I must say that, one can't just write off this movie. One can enjoy this film in parts for the charm that its actors bring on screen. The film begins with the motion picture along with Naseeruddin Shah's narration, which sets the prelude to the plot. Bipin (Pankaj Kapur) adopts Alia (Alia Bhatt) and brings her home. Sushma Seth as Bipin's mother – Kamala Arora, matriarch of the Arora family, rules the house along with Bipin's wife (Niki Aneja). Both Kamala and Bipin's wife are shown to be materialistic in nature. Though Alia is not accepted by both of them, she manages to deal with their hatred. Alia's sister Eesha (Sanah Kapur, Shahid's real sister) is getting married to Robin Fundwani (Vikas Verma). It is more of a business deal for Kamala and Harry Fundwani (Sanjay Kapoor), a merger of two major business houses of India. For Robin and Eesha also, it is just a compromise for family's sake. Robin is Harry's brother who is flaunting his 8 ½ packs throughout the movie. Harry glitters in gold, is obsessed with gold. He is getting his brother married to Eesha, since Kamala has promised them the gold which equals the weight of Eesha (she is shown as plump girl). Both the families Aroras and Fundwanis travel for destination wedding. A fairy tale castle (probably in Europe) is chosen for this wedding. Jagjinder Joginder aka JJ (Shahid Kapoor)'s entry happens in a completely filmy manner, his bike colliding with a vintage car driven by Bipin with his wife and daughters. This encounter, where the real father-son duo comes face-to-face on screen is funny. JJ happens to be the wedding organizer for Eesha-Robin's wedding. Alia is an insomniac. It is great to see her chemistry with her on-screen father Pankaj Kapur whom she calls Beeps. He designs dreams for her and alia keeps all the dreams safe in a box saying that she would watch every dream when she would start sleeping. Coincidently JJ is also an insomniac. As can be predicted, in the background of wedding preparations, another love story blossoms between JJ and Alia in a very cool fashion. It is great to see father becoming possessive of his daughter when he realizes that there is another man in her life. There are certain low points in the movie. Rather entry of Sanjay Kapur as Harry Fundwani unfortunately is a low point, since it breaks the flow of humour tone set up till then. Drag is felt post-interval. Towards the end, the film just nosedives into silly comedy, a beautiful plot is made into a series of silly sub-plots. A scene just prior to climax where a girl speaks up for her right to live, could have been a show-stopper scene, but the way it is handled on screen has trivialized the message. Certain characters are just added in the film viz. twin sisters, mirroring everything; a small kid with bow and arrow ready to hit the target etc. Anjana Sukhani is just a filler, does not get a single dialogue in the film. Lot of characters viz. Bipin's brothers except the designer brother gets lost in the crowd. Harry's way of identifying with every successful individual as Sindhis (even with Michael Jackson) does not generate much humour. Karan Johar does make a special appearance with 'Mehandi with Karan'. I am wondering whether these scenes were required at all? Music is average. The best part of the film is definitely the moments between Alia-Shahid, Alia-Pankaj, Alia-Eesha. And the way, they have handled and ustified their respective characters, is surely going to bring smiles to your face. How does the story move further? What happens to the destination wedding of Eesha-Robin? How does Alia-JJ's relationship shape up? What happens when Alia comes to know regarding her biological parents? How does she respond? How does Bipin deal with his daughter Alia's getting comfortable with JJ? What happens to Kamala's business deal approach? Who actually benefit in the end? Shaandaar definitely deserved a much shaandaar treatment by 'Queen' director Vikas Bahl. Shaandaar has its own moments of humour to entertain you, though the fun element nosedives into silly comical scenes later. Watch it, if you just want some very light-hearted stuff.
This film proves that Bollywood has run out of ideas. Jagjinder Joginder (Shahid Kapoor) is a handsome wedding planner with a pack of wet sawdust for brain, hired by an over-smart, unknown queen for her granddaughter's union with a shirtless jackass. The sweet-toothed bride's sister is Alia (Alia "Aila" Bhatt), an insomniac, out of the world princess whose mysterious absence of lineage is the only source of pride in her as she goes swimming at 4 in the morning and collects her father's animated dreams to stay alive. That Alia has finally found her prince in Jagjinder and would like him to make love to her while she tries to dream a dream munching on a banana is what forms a small part of the rest of the story. The remaining, bigger part is taken by Pankaj Kapur's idiocy, Sanjay Kapoor's ugly tomfoolery, and the writers's butterfly-infested vomit. The film is basically a fairytale romance with ounces of unnecessary animation all over the place. Glittery butterflies coming out of Alia's dress and making Jagjinder throw away his cigarette, impulsive doses of songs because as it turns out both the central characters of the film cannot sleep at night, and blatant melodrama that is worse that Star Plus soaps - the film is filled with fillers like these. Then there is a cameo by Karan Johar, and I was done for the day. I don't understand why talented actors like Shahid Kapoor and veterans like his father would sign a project which introduces the characters using ugly cartoons. Ridiculous jokes, mindless slapstick, and a shade of black-and-white fairytale is what all the film is about. Not one character is a real deal, and if we had with us Holden from J D Salinger's classic book "The Catcher in the Rye," he would only have one word collectively to describe the film and its tons of characters: PHONEY. BOTTOM LINE: Do yourself a favor and skip Vikas Bahl's epic fail, Shaandaar, because in here, the characters stay awake so that we can catch some shuteye. The trailer is misleading; don't fall for it. GRADE: F Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES (But, do you really want to?)
It's a festive mood around with everyone enjoying the extended weekend due to Dussehra. So to cash in on this, we have film makers across industries making a scrabble to display their wares. Prominent among them is Vikas Bahl's "Shaandaar" which has Shahid & Alia as the lead pair. The promos promises it to be a fun filled movie & the chemistry between the duo seems cracking. So will it be the Queen of 2015??? Alia (Alia Bhatt) was an orphan adopted by the millionaire Vipin Arora (Pankaj Kapoor), though it could be more appropriately said that he was a meek simpleton. Even his siblings also belonged to the same category as the reins of the household was in his mother's hands, a wheel chair bound cold hearted Mummyji (Sushma Seth). Though not quite the darling of Mummyji & her foster mother, Alia shared a warm relationship with her rotund half sister, Isha (Sanah Kapoor) whose marriage was fixed with the wealthy Fundwani family. The wedding was planned as an elaborate event which was co-ordinated by the sprightly Jagjinder Joginder (Shahid Kapoor), who wins the hearts of everyone except Vipin who was insecure of the former's increasing proximity to Alia. How this gala wedding ceremony pans out forms the crux of the movie. After the brilliant "Queen" which ruled the roost last year, Vikas Bahl is back with his latest venture which however turned out to be a mediocre candy floss. There is a world of disparity between the quality of the scripts & it comes as a rude surprise that it was indeed conceived by Vikas & written by Anvita Dutt. The major flaw of the movie as is evident by now is the lack of a credible plot. It actually seemed like a large cast was assembled & they were asked to perform to their heart's delight with songs inserted in between the proceedings. As a matter if fact, it's the cast which actually made this movie enjoyable at times due to the delightful chemistry between Shahid, Alia, Pankaj & Sanah. In the technical department, Anil Mehta has done a decent job with the visuals while Amit Trivedi's music was average at best. Coming to performances, Shahid & Alia shared excellent chemistry and seemed to be at utmost ease in essaying their characters. Pankaj Kapoor is an actor par excellence, so in a role that barely challenged him; it was a cake walk for the veteran & the interaction with his real life son made for an enjoyable watch. Sanah Kapoor (who is actually the half sister of Shahid) has done an apt job while Sanjay Kapoor's over the top act which was hilarious at times reminded me of Anil Kapoor. As for the rest of the cast, they were average at best. Verdict: The film is likely to have a decent opening & will appeal to the teenagers who loves candy floss rom-coms. But even then it will struggle to make waves at the box office & the best that the producers could possibly expect is to break even. From my point of view, with hardly a coherent script on display it's nothing more than a waste of time. In short, give it a miss!!! Rating: 1/5 Regards...Ben
Credits
Hindi films like Shaandaar
Queen
2014
Chillar Party
2011
Jab We Met
2007
2 States
2014
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2017
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2012
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