This film spends too much time discussing an issue with a very myopic view. The search for a plausible solution begins only two hours into the film, after the major part is spent dwelling on temporary workarounds.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha not only has the quintessential elements of a PSA but it also comes across as a propaganda film that doesn’t appear to leave any stone unturned in applauding the policies of the Narendra Modi government, including demonetization. Perhaps, movies like these are here to stay. Not only because our society requires them but also because our politicians need them. The only regret is that we shouldn’t be asked to pay to watch such films. After all, no one ever expected us pay to watch a good old PSA!

…could have been a masterstroke but it isn’t a lost hope either. In spite of its constipated second half and sluggish approach, the movie has its witty, satirical moments, terrific performances that entertain to the core and at least hint towards the open ‘shit’ that almost 54 percent of our proud digital India witnesses daily. Akshay Kumar deserves an extra pat on his back for highlighting it through a mainstream cinematic medium. Watch it at least for Akshay Kumar, his efforts and the cause the movie tries to raise.

Toilet – Ek Premium Katha is a propaganda film, which attempts to tackle a serious issue of hygiene and open defecation but fails to make an impact.

Instead of sticking to social satire, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha takes on the mantle of an extended propaganda film—it’s just as tiresome, but with better production values and performances.

It only works well when it allows Akshay Kumar’s influential charisma and Bhumi Pednekar’s fiery spirit to use their instinctive humour, warmth and spontaneity to build a relationship that’s based on something more sound and striking than the sight of Sudhir Pandey’s pee.

It’s clear the film has its heart in the right place but the blatant pandering gets tiresome. Akshay Kumar brings just the right amount of levity and Bhumi Pednekar shines. It’s the sloppy writing that is the culprit here. Toilet Ek Prem Katha had potential but it’s only sporadically entertaining.

The film is documentary-ish, which is its biggest flaw. Because while everything else is going for it, the perpetual gyaan which isn’t said with any subtlety and is rather on the face runs down its entertainment value.

The film doesn’t look preachy at all; rather the issue of no toilet is shown in a quirky way. The USP of the film is its dialogues, which are written well. The first half is a little slow and overstretched but manages to sail through till the interval because of its comic punches.

It’s fitting that Akshay Kumar has greenlit and played the lead in this film, which is more a primer of How To Break Social Taboos and Make Toilets rather than a powerful social drama. The moment a film succumbs to being the carrier of a Message as opposed to a message, it becomes burdened.

When a Bollywood filmmaker turns cheerleader for a government drive, especially when the jury is still out on its success rate, you know you’ve been had. Unless you believe in this kind of propagandist stuff, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is as avoidable as what it rightly rails against – open defecation.

Watch it for Akshay and Bhumi’s crackling chemistry. This is by far the best fresh pairing we have seen onscreen this year.

Toilet Ek Prem Katha is too long and preachy. Despite standout performances by Akshay and Bhumi the film fails to engage or connect with you largely because of its snail paced tempo and long Sunday school styled monologues.

This is an honest attempt to tackle something that exists but not many are aware of it. This film will make you laugh, feel and most importantly think. Watch this for Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar’s true-to-the-soul performances.

Things start moving only towards the last few minutes in the film, and by then it’s all about Akshay. Bhumi becomes a mere catalyst. This is the biggest issue with Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. Some of you may be able to ignore this in wake of the larger message in the film, but I would have preferred a different film altogether.

This is essentially a cause-without-pause melodrama set at an opulent octave. Happily, director Shree Narayan Singh counterbalances those shrill notes of self-righteousness and propaganda with just the right doses of warmth, humour and irony.

What works for the film is the hinterland humour. In an elaborate sequence, Akshay Kumar’s character gets married to a buffalo to get rid of his “manglik dosh”. It is the laughs which take away your unease about the length of the two-and-a-half-hour-long film.

Despite the flaws, TEPK is worth it for the pure intent and purpose behind its making. And of course, the brilliant chemistry between Akshay and Bhumi.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha might have sounded great on paper, but loses impact in its telling. The film gets way too loopy and indulgent that I actually heard someone say ‘What crap man!’ aptly summing up a film called Toilet.

Bhumi Pednekar aces it as a homely, yet feisty, new bride while Akshay Kumar tries to present the issue in all its complexity. Toilet Ek Prem Katha looks promising and the film’s pace keeps the audience engaged. However, one thing that can hamper Toilet Ek Prem Katha’s impact is its repetitiveness.

Akshay is the backbone of this satire. His inner journey as an actor pays dividends and he delivers yet another topnotch performance…
So whether you have pressing matters to attend to or not, please take a detour to this toilet. Each of us needs to raise a stink about what our countrymen do in the open.

While the intention of this film is noble and should be lauded, the love story gets lost in the din of indoctrinating the glorious Indian government’s honourable campaign. Watch this if you are in the mood to witness earnest acting performances, but if you are looking for a propaganda-free film, then this is not it.