wogma rating: Watch but no rush (?)
An unexpectedly mature take on a difficult dilemma faced by parents. It'd have been nice, though, if the makers were as secure about their story as its protagonist is about himself. Yes, the silly humour is arguably unnecessary.
Streaming Partner: Netflix
Read moreAs an educated, progressive, modern parent, I have always wondered what curveball my kids would throw at me. Where would I draw the line? And this one comes very close—my 25-year-old wanting to commit to a 50-year-old, gender irrespective—will make me question their judgement. Not because their partner is the same age as mine. But the practicality of my child having to worry about yet another elderly person when they are my age. And this is where De De Pyaar De 2's premise has everything going for it. At least some part of the audience might be rooting against the protagonists. What a lovely concept to play with, writing-wise.
The effort in the writing shows, even if it is uneven.
To a large extent, De De Pyaar De 2 comes through for its subject. The conflict is real. More importantly, the when and how it is resolved seems real too. There is no one-line transition. There is an inner struggle, and it is resolved with a solid, meaningful argument. It answers, "What does being there for your child truly mean?" with rare insight.
The characters' emotional maturity, when it exists, adds a unique elegance to the film. Yeah…"when it exists." The film shuttles between maturity and silliness, which makes the tone inconsistent. The same goes for the humour. The movie/TV show/advertisement self-referencing for the actors doesn't flow organically, making it jarring.
Is that enough to overpower the film's earnest feminist take? Yes and no. Mainly because of the pacing. There is a sudden shift in one of the protagonist's attitude, which feels out of place, and it is a little too late when you find out the reason. This shift in the screenplay is rather meta—the audience is manipulated just like the characters in the film manoeuvre each other.
For a change, though, the plotting and scheming, the emotional blackmail, the rationalisations, the stories we tell ourselves, the making the right noises at the right times—are not at all far-fetched. It wouldn't be surprising if we all know someone who has done that in our families to get their way.
So even if the telling gets loud, the dialogue is often powerful without being film-y. It is an exchange that could very well happen in our drawing rooms with our parents or children. And yet it is meaningful and succinct without being preachy. I actually even enjoyed the subtitles and was amused by an HTML tag that found its way to the screen in one of the songs. That is to say, the effort in the writing shows, even if it is uneven.
Interestingly, there are a couple of situations in which you can't really predict which way it will go, even though you know what's coming next from the trailer. You don't know how they will get there. I also admired that the other suitor for the lead lady is not a red flag, which is usually the case in such stories. Perhaps the character could have used a different actor. But then again, that might be because of how he was directed and his character's personality.
It answers, "What does being there for your child truly mean?" with rare insight.
Speaking of which, this role perfectly suits the secure, sure Ashish that Ajay Devgn has to play. It is a cakewalk for R Madhavan playing Ayesha's (Rakul Preet's) father. Preet is a tad loud and thus irksome. The supporting cast is hit and miss, but no one stands out or stays in memory for too long.
So, when it is not brash and cringe, which it isn't for the most part, De De Pyaar De 2 is engaging. Sadly, though, the former keeps it from being a "must-watch."
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Simran Singh, DNA : ...The film's biggest strengths are its funny situations and clever writing, with the seamless pop-culture mentions. Ajay took some jibes at him, and those were the highlights of the films... full review
Thumbs up, by Ganesh Aaglave, FirstPost : ...On the whole, De De Pyaar De 2 is a perfect blend of chaos, humour and entertainment.... full review
Thumbs up, by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com : ...De De Pyaar De 2 is a thoroughly enjoyable complete family entertainer sequel with wit, warmth, and soul.... full review
Thumbs up, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...Move over Raj and Simran; the real jodi in town is Ajay and Madhavan. Their face-off that began in Shaitaan extends here too, and they remain the film’s most engaging bit. The first half builds enough drama, occasionally brushing the been-there-seen-that zone, but the humour rescues it. The in-jokes work nicely, like when Ronak (Javed Jafferi) looks at someone he's met for the first time in the film, Sameer (Meezaan Jafferi), and quips "main isko apna beta bana leta!"... full review
Thumbs up, India West : ...Unlike many sequels that exist just to cash in on a franchise name, ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ feels like an organic continuation of the first. The callbacks are smart, not forced, and the story flows with sincerity and purpose.... full review
Thumbs up, by Rajiv Vijayakar, koimoi : ...The climax may seem a tad stretched, but there is a method in the madness.... full review
Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...Technically, the film looks bright and vibrant, matching its cheerful tone. The music works well, though a couple of songs slow the momentum. The editing keeps things smooth, especially in the first half, which is packed with quick-witted scenes. The second half leans more towards emotion but never loses its humour.... full review
Thumbs up, by Radhika Sharma, NDTV : ...In what is mostly an entertaining watch, De De Pyaar De 2 explores themes of ageism, double standards, emotional blackmail, and ingrained patriarchy. So much for treating the audience with respect and not infantilizing them. Wish they hadn't bleeped out the expletives. We all lip-read; we know a cuss word when we "see" it.... full review
So-So, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...Yet, despite its unevenness, De De Pyaar De 2 remains a warm, character-driven comedy that examines second chances, aging, family, and acceptance with a generous heart. It may not soar as high as its first half promises, but it delivers enough laughs, charm, and gentle insight to make the ride worthwhile.... full review
So-So, by Aakash kumar, Filmi Beat : ...De De Pyaar De 2 had strong potential, backed by a talented cast and a predictable yet interesting premise. While the first half entertains with humour and charm, the weak and slow second half spoils the experience. Despite its flaws, the film turns out to be strictly average and is a one-time watch. R. Madhavan's endearing and standout performance is the biggest reason to give this sequel a chance.... full review
So-So, by Satish Sundaresan, Free Press Journal : ...Even though the film will have its share of loyal audiences, word of mouth is what will do the trick. One just hopes and prays the film’s fate should not get literally translated to the film’s title!... full review
So-So, by Vineeta kumar, india today : ...It's perfectly crowd-pleasing, and comfortably familiar -- never extraordinary, but never dull either. It's the kind of movie you watch knowing exactly what you'll get, and you get precisely that. 'De De Pyaar De 2' is comfortable. Watch it if you like rom-coms, and want to give Bollywood a chance.... full review
So-So, India TV : ...Honestly, it’s been a while since we watched a decent romantic comedy in theatres. De De Pyaar De 2 is fun and engaging, barring its loopholes. We recommend you watch the film as a popcorn entertainer and not expect much material. And if you ask us about one highlight, it’s definitely R Madhavan.... full review
So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...I had really enjoyed the first one for its novelty factor, as well as the perkiness of Rakul Preeti Singh who balanced the dour niceness of Ajay Devgn: the presence of Tabu, who plays Devgn’s older love, added to the film, as it always does... full review
So-So, by Lekha Menon, Khaleej Times : ...De De Pyaar De 2 is fairly entertaining and a stress-free watch - perfect for a lazy OTT evening - but if the makers are considering a part 3 (I hope not!), then may we please request them to de de Tabu?... full review
So-So, by KASHVI RAJ SINGH, News18.com : ...Ajay Devgn is well, Ajay Devgn. He gave a tolerable performance in film, except for some of his comedy scenes with Jaaved Jaaferi. While I do believe in watching certain films just for the sake of the experience, without looking for logic and without expecting stellar performances, these factors cannot be overlooked if I had a frown during most of the film... full review
So-So, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...Wait for its OTT premiere; 2.5/5 stars As is the case with movies like these, you can sense the climactic monologue from miles away. Singh's tendency to overact in emotional and fiery scenes further pushes you away, and while the movie tries to salvage itself, it's not enough. The messaging gets lost in the haphazard execution, and the humor isn't strong enough to pull you to theaters.... full review
So-So, by SAKSHI SALIL CHAVAN, Outlook India : ...The cinematography by Sudhir Chaudhary refuses to grandstand, allowing the actors to command the frame. The pacing, however, stretches itself thin, and Chetan Solanki’s editing could have been far tighter—the film’s two-and-a-half-hour runtime really does love the sound of its own silence. Coming to the bits that fill the silence, the songs in the film "Raat Bhar" and "3 Shaukk" are spirited, foot-tapping and fun... full review
So-So, by Gayatri Nirmal, Pinkvilla : ...De De Pyaar De 2 is a clean, witty comedy that proves sharp writing can elevate even the simplest of plots. With clever callbacks to Ajay Devgn’s filmography, laugh-out-loud moments, and strong performances all around, it’s a feel-good entertainer that you can easily enjoy with your family. A one-time watch will do you no harm.... full review
So-So, by Deep Gahlot, Rediff : ...So his funny attempts to deflect her attention actually win him some sympathy. Devgn looks a bit morose throughout, since he is the butt of everyone's ageist jokes, but does not try to steal the thunder from other actors, and a very spirited Rakul Preet Singh. The film is a fun watch, and it's been a while since Hindi cinema had a zany, well-written comedy.... full review
So-So, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...Some judicious snipping might have taken care of the tonal inconsistency, while also better showcasing the sharp lines and charming tendency of characters to talk themselves into a corner. De De Pyaar De 2 is too much of a good thing. The bits that work stand out, especially Ayesha’s refusal to let the men in her life tell her how to behave, and love.... full review
So-So, by Anuj kumar, The Hindu : ...On the other hand, the surprise factor is not as high this time because we are familiar with the narrative structure, and in an attempt to replicate the fun, the tone tends to become overly high-pitched. In terms of storytelling, the middle part becomes a little bloated, feels sappy and repetitive, but it signs off strong.... full review
So-So, by Sumit Rajguru, Times Now : ...Overall, De De Pyaar De 2 is high on performances and drama. The film has its flaws, but the strong writing and engaging screenplay make the film watchable.... full review
So-So, by Archika Khurana, Times of India : ...De De Pyaar De 2 doesn’t reinvent the formula — it merely updates it with wit, charm, and maturity. Despite its uneven tone and missing spark, the film remains an enjoyable, light-hearted sequel that reminds us love can defy age, but not always logic.... full review
Thumbs down, by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint : ...in the final act. De De Pyaar De 2 has about half an hour of unconvincing tears before a late burst of comedy brings the story to a close. If this means the franchise ends here too, I would be grateful by association.... full review
Thumbs down, by Mohar Basu, MiD DAY : ...De De Pyaar 2 pretends to be something else, is actually a whole different film, with men and women who need to speak to their therapist at the earliest. There are too many revenge-seeking people, including manipulative parents, unforgiving lovers trying to indulge in a game of one-upmanship, to be sincere about emotions and be honest about what they truly seek and desire. Of course, the film ends with ‘let adults be adults’ message, but the long drawn approach it takes to deliver on a rather simple logline is hardly heartfelt.... full review
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