Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar

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

quick review:

Do we fume at the regressive take? Or do we appreciate the effort at a progressive makeover? Try as I might to appreciate, I lean towards the former.

Director: Luv Ranjan

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor

Running time: 165 minutes

Genres: Family, Relationships, Romance

More Movie Info

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’s protagonist provides solutions to problems that always existed but are in the open only in the modern day—a breakup service. Cute idea. A novel spin on the boy-meets-girl story too, at least for Hindi films. Unfortunately, in its attempt to be modern and thus progressive, I assume it wants the lead woman to feel gratitude for the illumination she is showered with. Yes, the standard yuckiness I associate with Luv Ranjan films.

There’s some chemistry. And I am not talking only about his side planks on her waist (Wow!).

The first half does a decent job setting up the story's real premise. In fact, neither the trailer nor anything in the first hour or so indicates the conflict. This is fresh for Hindi films. I was involved and wondered what the interval cliffhanger would be. I hoped that it would be high-stake enough. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Unfortunately, the story to come has a shabby tone and misogyny masquerading in the form of “if only the woman did this or did that…” Sure, she has some comebacks but all of them circle around to, "she doesn’t know better." I cannot say more because the makers took such care not to reveal the conflict—even camouflaged the basic premise with a sus title. All I can say is it safely transitions into Luv Ranjan territory, only this time, it does so subtly.

And you have Ranbir Kapoor making the moves and monologues, so that is a tad better. The good thing is I, for one, can see Ranbir Kapoor dance all day. The lightness and agility he brings to the choreography stun me every time. When he is not dancing though, Mickey is too over-written to use Ranbir’s capacity to emote. Ranbir doesn’t need so many lines. He certainly doesn’t need to call himself good-looking in every fourth line to impress a woman, does he? I had to shake off the Aryan Kartik vibe, even in one of Shraddha Kapoor’s mini-monologues.

The couple shares decent chemistry, though. And I am not talking only about his side planks on her waist. Unless wooing is enough to entice a character like Tinni, we don’t really know what the two like about each other. Yet, the two make love-at-first-sight believable. Tinni knows what Mickey means on their first date, so that’s something. But other than that initial spark, we really have to assume that they are totally and completely in love with each other.

The supporting characters are well, annoying. I suspect though that is intentional. But does that mean we can forgive having Dimple Kapadia be unbearably loud and violent even!? Or excuse a child who is obnoxious beyond her years. The others who play bigger or smaller bits don’t leave anything to remember them by.

Even so, given the story, as I walked out of the theatre, I could have mulled over whether couples go to such lengths to avoid conversation. Or will clothes always be a topic of discussion in a marriage proposal, even if it is in the reverse direction? Because if there was one thing real about the film, it was that entire sequence. Oh also, will the woman continue to be mansplained about the kind of liberation she is seeking? I could have also thought about how cool it is that we are in a space that has a breakup ecosystem. Even if the makers were being sarcastic, I am glad that we are in the space, at least in some social circles.

It safely transitions into Luv Ranjan territory, only this time it does so subtly.

And instead, I had tangential thoughts, one too many. Why is this movie so long? Can Luv’s men speak a little less? Or a little more coherently when they are talking that much? Did Ranbir-Alia’s real life inspire the story? Is that why there was a self-reference? When as an audience, I am asked to lap up the addition of a moustache as a guise, why am I annoyed that a couple doesn’t recognise each other’s voice or one doesn’t have the other’s number saved? Did I hear that right, Tinni was born in 1974; When is the movie set, then? Did I just watch an almost three-hour advertisement for the ideal family which is called, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar? Is Luv Ranjan becoming such a brand that the actors he introduced have become his brand ambassadors?

- meeta, a part of the audience

21 reviewers^(?) - 9 yays 7 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 : ...After being convinced that Tinni has a place in Micky’s family I hope she, as the daughter-in-law has more of a voice in the family than the son-in-law. For more on that, a sequel to this insanely engaging film that proves Luv Ranjan to be one of the most original and interesting contemporary filmmakers in Bollywood .... full review

Thumbs up, by Urmimala Banerjee, Bollywood Life : ...Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is a film which leaves you with a smile as you exit the theatres. It is highly relatable despite its flaws. Luv Ranjan has made an entertainer that is suited for the youth and families in the same breath. 3.5 stars for Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...Watch Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar for the fresh pairing of Ranbir and Shraddha and for its several comic moments. At 164 minutes, it's a bit long. You laugh the most in the last 30 minutes. If only Luv Ranjan had sustained that manic energy throughout, he would have given us a great comedy. It’s infinitely better than his earlier products and let’s hope he continues to tread this newfound path.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rohit Bhatnagar, Free Press Journal : ...Well, with giving away no spoilers, Luv Ranjan’s Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar is supremely entertaining. If you all are up for a lengthy family drama with rona-dhona and naach-gaana, TJMM is a perfect watch.... full review

Thumbs up, by Tushar P. Joshi, india today : ...Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’s second half and peppy climax redeem its lazy first half and making it a worthy entertainer. Someone give RK more rom-coms in the future please!... full review

Thumbs up, by Ritu Tripathi, India TV : ...If you are a rom-com lover, then you will enjoy the film a lot. A must-watch for Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor fans. If you appreciate good Bollywood songs, then you will like this film. If you have ever gone through a breakup then this movie is for you, if you love your family then this movie is for you and only.... full review

Thumbs up, by Titas Chowdhury, News18.com : ...Music is yet another strong point of the film. The colourful sets coupled with the extravagant song-and-dance sequences are a treat to watch. Pyaar Hota Kayi Baar Hai and Tere Pyaar Mein will remain with you long after the film is over. Kapoor’s suave avatar in Pyaar Hota Kayi Baar Hai might even take you back to Badtameez Dil. Advertisement... full review

Thumbs up, by Himesh Mankad, Pinkvilla : ...The dialogues are out right funny when needed, and don’t even shy away from going too serious and philosophical when demanded by the situation. The soul of Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar rests in the emotions, which are relatable for both the men and women, as also the families.... full review

Thumbs up, by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India : ...Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar has its humour and heart in place. Character building misses the mark, given the duration.... full review

So-So, by Nitin Jain, Glamsham.com : ...Overall, for Luv Ranjan’s audience who have loved his movies like ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ and ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety’ will feel in the same zone in ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar’ with resounding encore.... full review

So-So, by Shubham Kulkarni, koimoi : ...Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is Luv Ranjan trying to make a perfect movie for his audience but adds too much of everything. It could be appropriate for many and even problematic for some and neither are wrong. Choose your poison wisely.... full review

So-So, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...Of course, you wish them well. Inevitably what follows such a film is what makes this genre interesting—essentially gender debates, on whether the heroine is being gas-lit; gossip over the script, and if it’s really inspired by Ranbir-Alia’s life!... full review

So-So, by Sameer Ahire, Movie Talkies : ...TJMM has crispy dialogues and a lot of glamour that will attract young audiences, including pacy monologues. Some are obscene, though. In SKTKS we had Alok Nath drinking alcohol, which was quite opposite to his Sanskari image, whereas here you have a little girl going against her innocence and age.... full review

So-So, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...Nor do her awkward comedy attempts like the 'Lala hai tu' joke cracked at Ranbir's expense land as Deepika Padukone's 'You are a halwa' jibe at SRK did in Chennai Express. It's tempting to envision Deepika in the same role. She would play her like an equal. And if Ranbir's enthusiasm in a meta moment of Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is to be believed , so would one half of a certain Ralia.... full review

So-So, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...The extended cast includes Dimple Kapadia and Boney Kapoor as Mickey’s over-the-top parents and Hasleen Kaur as Mickey’s harried sister. The talented child actor Inayat Verma plays Mickey’s precocious niece, who, unlike the other characters in the film, has her bullshit meter turned on at all times.... full review

So-So, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...Ranjan loves to see relationships from a male gaze and here again the title makes it amply clear whose point of view it is. The difference from his previous films is that here he attempts to create some sense of gender parity when it comes to investing in love before deciding to stand behind the male protagonist.... full review

Thumbs down, by Abhimanyu Mathur, DNA : ...In the end, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is a fun watch, but only if you have the patience to sit through a first half that is hammied and walks a long and winding route, taking its own sweet time to arrive at any point. It’s almost like Luv Ranjan is trying to test how many will tolerate the first hour and then rewards those who do with an actual good film.... full review

Thumbs down, galatta.com : ...The post-interval portions are better, but not by much. The film's biggest problem is that its central problem is not that big a problem at all. It could have been fixed with some talk, instead of the insanely convoluted route that's taken. We don't ever feel the deep love Tinny and Mickey are supposed to share.... full review

Thumbs down, by Monika Rawal Kukreja, Hindustan Times : ...Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is your age-old love story packaged in a modern day setup. It's weird and problematic but rendered in a funny manner, which might hook you in. You may struggle to sit through the pre-interval but things settle a bit after that. Definitely a one-time watch for some entertaining performances and monologues, if you love them as much as Kartik Aaryan does because it definitely helped him click with the masses.... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...The first half of the film is a disorienting blur. The second is far less so. Post-interval,Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar carves out two random, unfunny cameos for Luv Ranjan's favourite lead pair, Kartik Aaryan and Nushratt Bharuccha. They appear separately as testing tools, one to arouse jealousy in the hero, the other to assess his loyalty.... full review

Thumbs down, by Taru B Masand, Times Now : ...I have to give it to director Luv Ranjan for touching on a very common issue that most couples go through, especially in today's time. Though the narrative of the film was weak, Ranbir and Shraddha starrer was good in bits and parts. The comic timings and punchlines of Bassi were good but he still needs to establish himself as an actor. Dimple Kapadia was an absolute delight and I wish Boney Kapoor was given some more lines and screen space.... full review

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1 readers - 0 yays 1 so-so 0 nays

So-So, by Raj : Undercooked misogyny masquerading

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

Parental Guidance:

Violence: Slapping around in banter. Felt quite violent to me.
Language: Abusive language muted.
Nudity & Sexual content: Lip-to-lips.
Concept: Boy-meets-girl
General Look and Feel: Candy floss and gloss.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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