Jugjugg Jeeyo

wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (?)

quick review:

Life after the grand wedding deserves a few films. But I wish it wasn’t in the form of Jugjugg Jeeyo’s slapsticky treatment.

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Director: Raj Mehta
Running time: 150 minutes
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Even as a child, when I saw romantic films, I wondered why no popular movie ventured into life after the big happy wedding. This couple fought tooth and nail with family and society. How did they do after getting married? Maybe because it will be a run-of-the-mill story. Jugjugg Jeeyo takes on the challenge and does it in two stages too. Unfortunately, the details and the execution are so cheap and cheesy that I cannot even make a “Watch it for the novelty” recommendation. It doesn’t help that the man-woman relationship’s presentation is skewed by stereotypes making the film uneven.

Though I was flinching every few minutes, the same premise holds promise to be made into a better film.

Jugjugg Jeeyo looks at life after marriage along two intersections through two married couples—modern-traditional and, of course, man-woman. It also uses the narrative tool of having a soon-to-be-married character as an onlooker. She, like us in the audience, is looking at these two couples wondering why anyone gets married at all. So far, so good.

But, oh dear, does the film lose it in the details. The film hop-scotches from ridiculous to yuck to whatever to boring in the situations it goes through. Save a couple of brilliantly insightful lines, there is nothing in the writing—from dialogue to characters to sub-plots—to show that the writers were serious about taking up the challenge that the premise provides.

Indeed, that is the strain throughout the film—the humourlessness of the topic versus the slapstick treatment it is given. It is as if the makers were afraid to present the grim situations as so. One could argue that post-marriage life does not offer much to explore. But to treat it so casually and show an unworthy man’s blasé behaviour as a joke reeked of fear of becoming staid.

It is no surprise then, that Anil Kapoor’s overacting becomes annoying, given the tacky situations his character, Bhim, is put through. So over-the-top is Kapoor that Maniesh Paul’s caricature-of-a character Gurpreet comes across as charming despite the innuendoes he’s asked to carry. In fact, in their side roles, he and Prajakta Koli stand out despite being slapstick and muted, respectively. This, in fact, worked in favour of Jugjugg Jeeyo. That the main characters share space with the supporting ones. Neetu Singh, Varun Dhawan and Kiara Advani hold their own in some intense scenes. If only the scenes were not long drawn out and written with a little more insight.

Unfortunately, perceptions of and perspectives on marriage make way for monotonous lectures on the meaning of marriage and shouting matches. And each situation is stretched and forced to make a point where subtlety might have worked better.

Interestingly, the nuances of the changes in the concept of marriage, especially that of gender roles, are presented with more dexterity. Except for one scene, where it is said aloud, the other ideas revolving around the man-woman part of a straight marriage or the transformation of the nature of couplehood in the past few decades register subconsciously. In hindsight, I wonder if it was intentional at all because of the cringe-inducing chaos it is injected into. Just like the attempts at a feministic take smack in the middle of a “men will be men” one.

Unfortunately, the details and the execution are so cheap and cheesy that I cannot even make a “Watch it for the novelty” recommendation.

Though I was flinching every few minutes, the same premise holds promise to be made into a better film. In fact, the same cast would work because of the potential we are already aware of. With so, so, so many films that continue to be made about life before marriage, life after marriage surely has enough content worth making films about. Yes, plural.

- meeta, a part of the audience

25 reviewers(?) - 10 yays 14 so-so 1 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...One of the marriages survives the onslaught of spousal selfishness and temper tantrums, the other marriage we are not too sure about… a sequel perhaps?... full review

Thumbs up, by Russel D'Silva, Bollywood Life : ...Jug Jugg Jeeyo is a good movie, make no mistake of that – it has enough going for it by way of both humour and emotions, making for a fairly enjoyable family entertainer. It's just that it could've been even better with more assured direction, less regression, less pseudo-feminism and a background score that had no business leaving the recording studio. That being said, Varun Dhawan, Neetu Singh, Maniesh Paul and above all, the legendary Anil Kapoor make it worth the trip to a theatre at least once. I'm going with 3 out of 5 stars.... full review

Thumbs up, Filmfare : ...Watch the film for the acting chops displayed by the ensemble cast and for its modern take on good old fashioned family drama.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rohit Bhatnagar, Free Press Journal : ...Touted as a comedy, 'JugJugg Jeeyo' has much more to offer. In the last four to five years of Hindi cinema, only 'Badhaai Ho' and 'Good Newwz' have managed to get families to the theatres, but it seems like 'JJJ' is joining the bandwagon now. Don’t miss this pure roller coaster ride.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com : ...All in all, Raj Mehta’s Jugjugg Jeeyo is a mocktail of emotions, the humour and the message that the story gives, is soothing, to sip in and enjoy in a relaxed mood… unmissable.... full review

Thumbs up, by Tushar P. Joshi, india today : ...At the heart of it, Jug Jugg Jeeyo is all about saving a marriage and realising that making a compromise and keeping your self-respect are two different conversations. Despite how deep the subjects might be, director Raj Mehta manages to use humour, sarcasm and wit to keep the proceedings light and engaging. Just like all marriages, the film isn’t perfect and has its fair share of flaws, and those imperfections make the film worthwhile.... full review

Thumbs up, by Zinia Bandyopadhyay, News18.com : ...Jugjugg Jeeyo will make you laugh, cry and join the characters on the emotional roller coaster. The film is thoroughly entertaining, and paisa wasool, and you should definitely give it a watch... full review

Thumbs up, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...JugJugg Jeeyo is a true-blue Bollywood movie, with Dharma Productions written all over it. A few flaws aside, it's largely an enjoyable ride and keeps you intrigued. Toward the climax, there is one cliche and one progressive ending, possibly to cater to everyone. All in all, watch it for the performances, the songs, and for over two hours of powerful entertainment.... full review

Thumbs up, by Himesh Mankad, Pinkvilla : ...Overall, Jug Jugg Jeeyo marries comedy with drama and emotions and is a full on package that will entertain the audience. Yes, there are some drawbacks, but end of the day, you leave the auditorium with a smile on your face, and isn't that what one needs in today's time? It's an entertainer with heart at it's right place, and the credible performances by entire ensemble makes it worth a dekho.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ronak Kotecha, Times of India : ...The runtime is slightly problematic and it could have done with a tighter edit. What really draws you in are the powerful performances and quirky dialogues. Just like its characters, ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’ too has its flaws but at the end of the day, it’s all in the family and this is just the kind of wholesome family entertainer that we need to watch in the theatre.... full review

So-So, by Anupama Chopra, Film Companion : ...This is inevitable because JugJugg Jeeyo is a sanitized and purposefully crowd-pleasing view of what happens between men and women. There’s enough here, including some very catchy remixed songs, that is enjoyable. I wish it had transcended to memorable. But I’m grateful to Raj for bringing back the gorgeous Nadeem-Shravan song ‘Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain’ from Pardes back into the conversation. All over again, I’m hooked.... full review

So-So, by Rahul Desai, Film Companion : ...Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Jugjugg Jeeyo is that it – sometimes clumsily, sometimes smartly – frees one generation from the responsibility of living for another. It is the second successive Dharma title after Gehraiyaan to suggest that it can only be all about loving your parents if it’s all about understanding – and accepting – them as people first. It’s a tough truth, and the film throws the kitchen sink at us to prove that most Indian households are incomplete without kitchen sinks.... full review

So-So, by Madhuri V, Filmi Beat : ...A scene in Jugjugg Jeeyo has Bheem (Anil Kapoor) comparing his wife Geeta to a 'shakahari sherni'. Well, when it comes to the film, Neetu Kapoor roars aloud like a tigress with her superlative performance as a woman who is fierce and vulnerable in equal measures. Read more at: https://www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/reviews/2022/jugjugg-jeeyo-movie-review-varun-dhawan-kiara-advani-neetu-kapoor-anil-kapoor/articlecontent-pf326216-336684.html... full review

So-So, by Punarvasu Pendse, FirstPost : ...Jugjugg Jeeyo tries to take the safe way out despite being based on a concept that isn't explored very often in Hindi cinema, and opts to try and make everyone happy. Once again, it is a case of what could have been. The only thing going for this one is the Dharma production values, and its ability to showcase its excellent cast front and centre. Oh, and carry earmuffs.... full review

So-So, by Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Gulf News : ...But since it’s a romantic comedy on the nose, it shouldn’t be a deal break. Solid acting from all actors make it a pleasant watch. There’s a lot of drama and less trauma while watching this amicable and overall pleasant film.... full review

So-So, by Monika Rawal Kukreja, Hindustan Times : ...JugJugg Jeeyo is an absolute family entertainer that talks about choosing relationships over selfishness and while doing so, there's nothing preachy about it. There's aren't any vulgar jokes or slapstick humour to infuse laughter and that makes JugJugg Jeeyo a clean comedy drama. Watch it on the big screen for it's one of those typical commercial potboilers that you call paisa vasool.... full review

So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...Lovers looking at each other through rose-tinted glasses turning into loveless partners is still quite a novel idea in mainstream Bollywood. When school sweethearts Kuldeep aka Kukoo Saini (Varun Dhawan) and Naina Sharma (Kiara Advani) find themselves snarling more than smiling, ‘JugJugg Jeeyo’ feels like a set-up for a modern-day dive into post-marriage shenanigans.... full review

So-So, by Shilajit Mitra, indian express : ...n the big dance number ‘Nach Punjaban’, Kukoo and Naina share a distressed glance before continuing with their steps. They have a marriage to dissolve, and years of bitterness to pick through, but the dancing gets in the way. This scene, like several others in Jugjugg Jeeyo, suggests that families are like movies — hectic, busy affairs, merrily delaying a confrontation when they can’t seem to resolve it.... full review

So-So, by Umesh Punwani, koimoi : ...All said and done, JugJugg Jeeyo delivers what it promises – harmless fun while being a family entertainer & if you’re expecting anything more than that, it’s on you.... full review

So-So, by Sameer Ahire, Movie Talkies : ...Performance wise, the biggest show stealer in Jugjugg Jeeyo is Anil Kapoor. In one word, he is JHAKAAS! What energy, what comic timing, and what ageless looks he has.. ohh man, how is this even possible for someone at 65? He is bringing the 25s to shame. Varun Dhawan is coming back after the disaster show in Coolie No. 1, and Jugjugg Jeeyo seems like a nice recompense. This man deserves more roles like this rather than those forgettable ones, and he is surely capable of surprising the audience.... full review

So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Very broad strokes are the stock-in-trade of this film, which, of course, could go a long way in endearing it to segments of the masses. But do not expect any nuanced ideas to flow out of this battle of the sexes that loses quickly its way in a maze. As a cinematic 'treatise' on marriage, Jugjugg Jeeyo for the ages. Watch it. You might find it entertaining. But insightful it certainly isn't.... full review

So-So, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...JugJugg Jeeyo's gleeful lack of responsibility advocates good times over everything else. Luckily for Mehta, the actors in play are a complete hoot even when you aren't taking any of it seriously.... full review

So-So, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...There’s a discernible point at which Jugjugg Jeeyo throws in the towel and decides to ignore its own honest streak. It’s a cop-out that brings the film’s schizoid self even more glaringly in view. And yet, enough blows have been landed by then on the institution of marriage. The bruising survives the trappings of the big fat Punjabi wedding, the perfectly turned out characters and the aptly eclectic bhangra pop score.... full review

So-So, by Stutee Ghosh, The Quint : ...Complexities and nuances are summarily dismissed as it all boils down to “garmagaram rotis”. Turns out this is the only thing that the trailer doesn’t speak about and so for the sake of not giving out spoilers yours truly will not elaborate any further. Jugjugg Jeeyo. It’s adorned with all good stuff that will put you in a forgiving mood. Music, visual pleasure and a brilliant act by Anil Kapoor.... full review

Thumbs down, by ANNA MM VETTICAD, FirstPost : ...ugjugg Jeeyo comes from a long tradition of Hindi cinema (sample: No Entry and the Masti series) treating male infidelity as a comedic device while of course a similar lens is not trained on female infidelity. It is also a ear-drum-splitting experience. Not every film can be a Great Indian Kitchen in its attitude to patriarchy, but this one is a hyperventilating Jo and Jo that dilutes its gains with a heavy dose of backtracking and by creating a din.... full review

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1 readers - 0 yays 1 so-so 0 nays

So-So, by Raj : Just to watch how unreal reality is portrayed

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: A couple of slaps.
  • Language: A few curse words.
  • Nudity & Sexual content: A bachelor party that has skin show; A shirtless Varun Dhawan and skimpily clad women.
  • Concept: Life after the grand wedding.
  • General Look and Feel: Bright

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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Jugjugg Jeeyo - Cast, crew, links

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Running time:
150 minutes
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Comments (2)

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Raj

Dear Meetu, Thank you for the wonderful review. The film is the direct perceptive reality of the makers, and thus the disconnect and impose on society is so obvious. I agree with you on all the points made in the review

Thank you, Raj. :D

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