If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a love triangle, retrograde amnesia, and a paragliding phobia were thrown into a blender with a dash of Scottish scenery and a sprinkle of Punjabi melodrama, Mere Husband Ki Biwi is here to answer that very specific question. Directed with all the subtlety of a fireworks display in a library by Mudassar Aziz, this film is a chaotic mess that does contain some mirthful moments.
The plot revolves around Ankur (Arjun Kapoor), a man who seems to have a knack for falling in love with women who are far more interesting than he is. His ex-wife, Prabhleen (Bhumi Pednekar), suffers from retrograde amnesia and forgets they’ve divorced, while his fiancée, Antara (Rakul Preet Singh), is a sports medicine doctor who apparently missed the memo that relationships aren’t a competitive sport. Cue the chaos as Ankur finds himself caught between two women, both of whom deserve better but are inexplicably fighting over him.
The film’s biggest strength lies in its female leads. Bhumi Pednekar is clearly having the time of her life as the ‘other woman’, a refreshing role reversal from her previous outing in Aziz’s Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019). She brings a mischievous charm to Prabhleen, making her both sympathetic and delightfully unpredictable. Rakul Preet Singh, meanwhile, shines as the seemingly perfect fiancée who reveals a fiery, competitive streak when her territory is threatened. Their scenes together are the film’s highlight. They seem to be enjoying themselves for sure.
Arjun Kapoor aptly plays Ankur with the emotional range of bratty Delhi Punjabi boys who won’t recognise privilege even if it’s handed to them on a platter. He’s rich, clueless, and somehow manages to stumble into love twice—a feat that defies both logic and probability. While his performance is earnest, it’s hard not to feel that the character is out of tune with the kind of soft boys today’s women want in their lives.
Stand-up comedian Harsh Gujral, who plays Ankur’s best friend, delivers some genuinely witty lines, but they’re often drowned out by the film’s relentless need to be loud all the time. His bromance with Arjun is another highlight. Ironically, a potentially hilarious paragliding sequence is criminally underused, leaving one to wonder why the director didn’t milk this genuinely funny sequence to the hilt.
The second half of the film shifts to Scotland, where the fairytale atmosphere is so saccharine it could give you a cavity. Rakul’s impossibly rich parents (Kanwaljit Singh and Anita Raaz) reconcile for the sake of her wedding, her brother (Dino Morea) is inexplicably saintly, and even Bhumi and her parents show up for the nuptials. It’s the kind of geniality that only exists in Bollywood films, where logic takes a backseat to feel-good moments and picturesque landscapes.
Despite its flaws, Mere Husband Ki Biwi deserves some credit for not vilifying its female characters. Prabhleen isn’t painted as the villain, and the film acknowledges that the breakdown of her marriage was a two-way street. That said, some of Ankur’s lines are blatantly misogynistic, though the character does eventually redeem himself by admitting his mistakes. It’s a small step forward, and in a film that often feels like it’s stuck in the past, it’s a welcome one.
In conclusion, Mere Husband Ki Biwi does contain moments of juvenile humour to keep you entertained—provided you don’t think too hard about the plot. If you’re in the mood for a loud, over-the-top rom-com with a side of Scottish scenery, this might just be the film for you. Just don’t forget to leave your brains behind at home.
All in all , Mere Husband Ki Biwi is a chaotic love triangle served with an extra helping of melodrama. Be warned of sex jokes and potty humour.
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