Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari

wogma rating: Don't bother (?)

quick review:

Love is fickle—that's my takeaway from this boring romance. The only highlights are some song and dance sequences.

Streaming Partner: Netflix

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Director: Shashank Khaitan
Running time: 135 minutes
Genres: Romance
More Movie Info

I admire how quickly and easily this film's characters fall in and out of love. Of course, story-wise, we all know that their initial "true love" existed only so that it could fall apart. Which also means to begin with, we don't believe that Sunny Sanskari (Varun Dhawan) is in love with Ananya (Sanya Malhotra) or Tulsi Kumari (Janhvi Kapoor) with Vikram (Rohit Saraf). The problem, then, is that given that knowledge, the very premise of the film falls apart. So, we have given up on any hope from the story at the very outset.

The comment on patriarchy and feminism is a pleasant surprise. But it is also a short-lived one.

The next onus of engaging us falls on the situations and the dialogue. The situations reek of lazy writing. For instance, none of the characters question the logic of some very questionable actions and reactions. It is almost as if the makers wanted to make a film that had loads of wedding-y songs and dances. The rest is just padding for that to happen.

After a while, they even gave up on naming which wedding function was on. Thankfully, the music is peppy, and some of the songs are memorable too. And they have been picturised and executed well too. But they are just sewn together haphazardly. And why-o-why do we have a sleazy end-credit item number which is utterly disconnected with texture of the film?

Also, there is hardly any support from any of the other departments. If you are wondering whether the dialogue carries any weight, you are wasting energy. Are the actors able to bring life to the lines? Just about. The film is on the edge of being a full-fledged slapstick one.

Varun Dhawan and some of the actors playing smaller roles are loud and insufferable. The women, Sanya Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, bring some semblance of calm and composure. But only occasionally. Rohit Saraf and Akshay Oberoi don't have enough screen presence for you to remember them. And so it goes with the rest of the character artists.

In this mess, then, it was surprising to see a comment on patriarchy and feminism. And just when I was willing to take that as the one thing that made the film worth being made. But I let my hopes rise a bit too soon. In the last scene, a woman who had found her self-worth through the film was asked to quit her job. Just like that. That hurt.

And with that, this supposedly romantic film leaves nothing warm to remember. A few of the songs, sure. But those you can watch stand-alone and continue to listen to online, right? Right.

- meeta, a part of the audience

30 reviewers(?) - 14 yays 11 so-so 5 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 : ...The film is insanely good-looking and incalculably entertaining. The characters are so misplaced in their romantic judgements, they seem to be in the wrong wedding venue. It’s in how much fun they have with their anomalous courtship games that this riotous rom-com scores baloney brownie points.... full review

Thumbs up, by Simran Singh, DNA : ...Overall, Sunny Sanskari ki Tulsi Kumari is welcoming the return of comedy entertainer, with nostalgia for the 90s' laugh-riot, which should be enjoyed with family.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...All in all, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a good-hearted rom-com that never turns cynical, delivering mischief, warmth and relationship chaos in equal measure.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ganesh Aaglave, FirstPost : ...On the whole, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a fun entertainer filled with humour, heart and romance.... full review

Thumbs up, by Murtuza Iqbal, Free Press Journal : ...Overall, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is undoubtedly one of the best romantic comedies we have seen in recent times. It is fun, entertaining, and filled with some wonderful performances.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nitin Sethi, Glamsham.com : ...In the end, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari doesn’t reinvent the romcom wheel, but it doesn’t pretend to either. Think of it as a Bollywood cocktail that borrows the festive chaos of Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and the narrative hook of, I Want You Back, shaken up with Khaitan’s flair for witty writing and colourful staging. The result is a film that may be familiar, even formulaic, but remains undeniably entertaining.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...By bunging in a cosy-letting-it-all-hang-out-scene between Sunny and Tulsi, as they lie next to each other, displaying nary a whisper of passion, the fraternalisation of lovers in Bollywood is complete. So much so, that when they actually lock lips, it comes as a belated surprise.... full review

Thumbs up, by "Rajiv Vijayakar ", koimoi : ...Rohit Saraf impresses despite his template hangdog expressions and performance—he probably got a character that was perfect for him here! Sanya Malhotra is excellent as the practical Ananya. From the rest, Abhinav Sharma is lovably cute as Buntu, while Maniesh Paul largely plays himself. The rest of the cast has nothing much to do, though Dharna Durga and Prajakta Koli are brought in as Gen Z social media addicts’ allure in measly roles.... full review

Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...Overall, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a festive dhamaka, perfect for Dussehra viewing. It is a colourful, feel-good entertainer that delivers comedy, romance, and family values in equal measure. While not without its clichés, it does what it promises—offers a wholesome experience for multiplex and single-screen audiences alike. In short, a fun, vibrant family drama that is worth a watch for its humour, performances, and colourful treatment.... full review

Thumbs up, by YATAMANYU NARAIN, News18.com : ...The film leaves you with laughter in your chest, warmth in your heart, and the faint aftertaste of nostalgia. It is cinema that does not shy away from its filminess, and perhaps that is its greatest gift, an unabashed celebration of love, heartbreak, and the chaos in between.... full review

Thumbs up, by Pratik Shekhar, News18.com : ...अब बात करें फिल्म की कमजोर कड़ी की फिल्म का प्री-क्लाइमैक्स सेक्शन थोड़ा धीमा है. यह हिस्सा फिल्म की तेज रफ्तार में थोड़ा ब्रेक लगाता है. क्रिस्पर एडिटिंग इसे एक नॉन-स्टॉप अनुभव बना सकती थी. इस वजह से सेकंड हाफ बीच-बीच में आपको थोड़ा बोरियत महसूस करवा सकता है. कुल मिलाकर देखा जाए तो ‘सनी संस्कारी की तुलसी कुमारी’ एक मनोरंजक और फैमिली एंटरटेनर है. आप इस फिल्म को वरुण-जाह्नवी की जोड़ी, सुपरहिट संगीत और शशांक खेतान के कुशल निर्देशन की वजह से देख सकते हैं.... full review

Thumbs up, by Gayatri Nirmal, Pinkvilla : ...If you enjoy romantic comedies and are craving a hearty laugh, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari checks all the boxes. It’ll make you believe in the most illogical, impractical things, but that’s what cinema is all about, right? It transports you to a world where everything seems believable, and suddenly, life is good.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nirali kanabar, Times Now : ...All in all, Varun and Janhvi's Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a wholesome entertainer that blends romance, comedy, drama and emotions in true Bollywood style. Barring few hiccups, SSKTK delivers laughs and heartfelt moments. It is a feel-good watch that will keep you entertained from the beginning to end.... full review

Thumbs up, by Dhaval Roy, Times of India : ...At its core, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari delivers what it promises: a glitzy, colourful rom-com packed with humour, charm, and entertaining performances.... full review

So-So, by Arkadev Ghoshal, Deccan Herald : ...Overall, SSKTK is a lighthearted romp: It ends on a slightly problematic note, but who cares when the guy gets the gal of his literal dreams at the end of a shallow entertainer targeted at the masses? Honestly, this reviewer hopes that some filmmakers do, and strike a balance between entertainment and message. We want to exit a theatre with a little more grey matter than when we entered it.... full review

So-So, by Aakash Kumar, Filmi Beat : ...Overall, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari has a mix of fun, drama, and romance, but fails to leave a lasting impression. While there are enjoyable moments sprinkled throughout, the film often feels like it plays too safe and couldn't create something more memorable. Despite good performances, the predictable storytelling makes the movie an average watch.... full review

So-So, by Baradwaj Rangan, galatta.com : ...The finishing stretch is a joy, and I left the theatre on a small high. When it comes to star chemistry and laughs and tears, there hasn’t been something like this since – I guess – Rocky Aur Rani. The long wait between the two films makes you easily overlook the flaws.... full review

So-So, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...Overall, what Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari suffers from is not a lack of ambition but a lack of clarity. It wants to be a romance and a family drama all at once, yet it never commits fully to any of these tracks. For a story about fighting for love, SSKTK doesn't make you fall in love with it.... full review

So-So, by Tushar Joshi, india today : ...Shashank Khaitan’s USP has always been witty dialogues, light humour, and true-blue romance. With 'Sunny Sanskari...', he revisits his comfort zone while attempting to experiment. At times, he soars; at others, he stumbles. The result is a film that entertains, charms, and frustrates—sometimes all at once.... full review

So-So, by Sakshi Verma, India TV : ...This film is made for audiences who enjoy lighthearted Bollywood fare. Families, who are looking for a festive outing, couples wanting a breezy date movie or Varun and Janhvi fans, will likely enjoy it. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari doesn’t aim to be groundbreaking cinema. It doesn’t pretend to reinvent the rom-com wheel. Instead, it positions itself as an easy, colourful entertainer, one that relies on tried-and-tested formulas to deliver a cheerful viewing experience.... full review

So-So, by Lekha Menon, Khaleej Times : ...Overall, Sunny Sanskari…is a lazy stress-free watch, the kind you call ‘timepass’ films. Don’t expect too much, don’t ask too many questions, feast your eyes on the colours, songs and the actors and you can have a fine time at the theatres. It’s charmless but entirely harmless.... full review

So-So, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...The actors give it all they have but since the screenplay is unable to give them all they need, their efforts are, at best, inconsistent. Janhvi Kapoor skirts around the pitfalls and provides the film its more sprightly moments.... full review

So-So, by Deepa Gahlot, Rediff : ...For its flimsy plot, which the title gives way, it's much too long. One big thing in its favour -- no macho posturing by the guys. And, everybody dances well, but Dhawan is the clear winner in this as well as the comedy and emotions departments.... full review

So-So, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...Dhawan is fully alert and entirely in form in a film that is most alive whenever he is around. Although Sunny’s effortless charm doesn’t always work on Ananya, it carries the movie all the way through... full review

So-So, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...However, the moment you see Rohit, you know that he is going to be the third or fourth angle in the love story. The plot points and punchlines work like an algorithm where the support cast intervenes with automatic precision. The songs are not as catchy as the previous iterations of Khaitan’s love stories, but still, it is a kind of film that you don’t mind if someone else is paying for the ticket.... full review

Thumbs down, by Divya Shah, India-Forums : ...Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is like that Instagram reel that you watch, laugh at, and swipe past remembering later. It is colourful, funny, and occasionally charming, but it never moves you. For those looking for a weekend escape filled with wedding chaos, ex drama, cheeky meta jokes and Varun Dhawan in his OG form, this film delivers exactly that. In the end, it is love that wins, because in Bollywood, all it takes is for the girl to finally say yes... full review

Thumbs down, by UDITA JHUNJHUNWALA, Live Mint : ...Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is like a glossy magazine: you flip through, admire the costumes and locations, look at the models, but nothing lingers once you close it.... full review

Thumbs down, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...Such as this movie. Which, having given up on watching for its own worth — here I am, looking for the hero ka best-friend (where did he go?), and the side-cast (Maniesh Paul, Dharna Durga, et al), who could be more fun, in fact.... full review

Thumbs down, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...kip this routine rom-com; 2/5 stars There is an immense amount of fluff and desperation in the film, and no depth. It is a Karan Johar production, so, naturally, there's glitz and glamor all around, but that can never compensate for solid, gripping writing. Despite Dhawan's evident efforts, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a turbulent ride, one you should steer clear of.... full review

Thumbs down, by Srishti Walia, Outlook India : ...It ends leaving this spectator gladly excusing herself from watching another minute of hammed up performances by Dhawan and Kapoor.... full review

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

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: Some people are being slapped.
  • Language: A couple of curse words slipped through.
  • Nudity & Sexual content: A lip-to-lip. An end-credit item number.
  • Concept: Boy meets girl because their exes are getting married. And they want to stop that from happening.
  • General Look and Feel: Bright, loud, peppy.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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