Bhool Chuk Maaf review: A tiring comedy where time loops, laughs lag and Rajkummar Rao hits refresh again
After watching Bhool Chuk Maaf, I felt the more entertaining drama has unravelled off screen, between the theatres and OTT for its release. But Rajkummar Rao's love for small town comedies is such, I am pretty sure even his GPS refuses to navigate anywhere post the city limits of either…. hehe, gotcha.
This one's a time loop drama. Ranjan Tiwari (Raj) is in love with Titli (Wamiqa Gabbi) and they can't wait to get married. But her father has a condition: get a government job, or get lost. In comes Bhagwaan Das (Sanjay Mishra) who fixes government jobs for money. And voila, it's done. But now Ranjan finds himself stuck, re-living the day of his haldi again. And again.. He tries to tell people around him, but nothing comes out of it. Why, what, how- watch the film to find out the rest.
Director Karan Sharma's story takes forever (time loop, you see!) to get to the point. The entire first half actually. The dialogues by Karan are sharp in places, but the screenplay seems uneven, barely salvaged by the comic timing of Rajkummar. We have seen the same setup in so many of Maddock's (production house) previous films like Mimi, Luka Chuppi, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya- even actors have been repeated. And worse, there is not enough chemistry between the family members.
Usually, such films thrive on the comfort actors share, for the jibes and banters to seem real. Here, it doesn't shine through. The chemistry between Raj and Wamiqa grows on you though.
Post the interval, when the plot is firmly established, Bhool Chuk Maaf picks up pace. But the humour still doesn't flow naturally. Raj's patented humour-in-frustrated- expression is beginning to lose some of it's initial charm. It's working, as of now. Bhool Chuk Maaf's biggest bhool is it tries to be what it should not be- a social message drama. A monologue on good people/bad people in the climax had me holding my head. The last time I checked, I was sitting there for a comedy film. And that's the problem with most films these days: the pretence to be meaningful. Why can't we expect just pure comedy from comedy films? Did Hera Pheri give us a long speech on how wrong it is to cheat people of their money? Did Golmaal tell us how taking advantage of a visually impaired person is morally wrong?
Rajkummar needs to snap out of his small town fascination, and fast. Wamiqa is a relatively fresh face, and grasps the 'papa ki pari' hook well. Sanjay Mishra and Raghubeer Yadav fare well.
Tanishk Baghchi's music is okay when viewed in context on screen, but doesn't stand out.
Overall, Bhool Chuk Maaf, a time-loop comedy, ends up stuck in a loop of its own clichés. The only thing harder to escape than a time loop is Rajkummar's contract with small-town scripts. It tries to be a comedy, flirts with a social message, and ends up being the cinematic equivalent of a WhatsApp forward — familiar, repetitive, and mildly amusing at best.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Dhanashree Verma opens up about her song Ting Ling Sajna with Rajkummar Rao and her upcoming Telugu debut: 'I dedicate this to my fans, those who've stood by me...'
Dhanashree Verma shares her excitement about 'Ting Ling Sajna'. She enjoyed working with Rajkummar Rao and Vijay Ganguly. Her mother is a big fan of Rajkummar. Dhanashree did not refer to past party numbers. She is also preparing for her Telugu debut in 'Akasam Daati Vastaava'. The film is produced by Dil Raju Productions. From viral dance videos to setting the screen on fire in Ting Ling Sajna, Dhanashree Verma is carving a unique path in the world of entertainment. In this candid chat with ETimes, she opened up about working alongside Rajkummar Rao , her big Telugu debut, and the joy of making her family—and fans—proud with every step she takes. Excerpts... 'Ting Ling Sajna' is being dubbed the next bachelor party anthem. What inspired this energetic number, and how did you get involved? 'Ting Ling Sajna' is definitely one of the catchiest party anthems we've had, and the way it has been used in the film as a bachelor party anthem is fantastic. I am glad it is doing really well; it looks good, sounds good, and I'm getting a great positive response for it, so I'm quite happy and thrilled. I received a call saying there's a song in the film Bhool Chuk Maaf by Maddock Films, featuring Rajkummar Rao, and I'd be dancing with him, and in that moment, I knew I was going to do this song. I mean, who would say no to that? Rajkummar Rao is, as we all know, one of the finest, most talented actors in our industry. Whether it's drama, comedy, or dance, his performance is a complete package. It's a treat to watch his films. I definitely considered this a great opportunity to share the dance floor with him and perform a dramatic sequence in the song. There's so much to learn from him, so much to express, and so much to explore within yourself when you're part of such projects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo So yes, I absolutely had to be involved. Your on-screen chemistry with Rajkummar Rao has been praised. How was the experience working with him? A lot of people have been telling me that my chemistry with Rajkummar Rao looks superb on screen, and I'm genuinely thrilled to hear that. When you're part of a high-energy song like this, especially one that plays a significant role in the film's narrative, it means a lot to receive such appreciation. It's not just a party anthem; it's a story-driven sequence that holds weight in the screenplay. So, when the chemistry with your co-actor is praised, it really feels like the cherry on top. Working with Rajkummar was both intimidating and inspiring. His aura, energy, and sheer talent are undeniable, and sharing the screen with him pushed me to give my absolute best. It's definitely one of the most thrilling projects I've taken on. At the same time, he made the entire experience enjoyable. He's incredibly grounded and makes you feel completely at ease. Watching him fully transform into his character is a masterclass in itself. Also, this song was choreographed by Vijay Ganguly, who's been my teacher since I was very young. He's seen me grow over the years, so getting to work with him on this felt like a full-circle moment. I truly feel blessed to be part of this project. What was the reaction of your family to the song number? Oh my God, my mother is a huge Rajkummar Rao fan, and she absolutely loves him! She's watched all his films, whether in theatres or on OTT platforms, sometimes even multiple times. Even if she's seen a film in the theatre, she'll watch it again when it comes online. She genuinely appreciates his talent. So, when I told my family that I was doing a song with Rajkummar in his upcoming film—and that it's not just a typical item song but an important part of the story—they were over the moon. My mother was thrilled, and my entire family was incredibly supportive. They've seen how much hard work and dedication I've put into my craft, despite all the challenges. They were extremely proud and truly grateful to see this moment happen. It feels like all the discipline and sincerity I've poured into my work has really paid off. Did you watch or take reference from some past hit party numbers as a part of your prep work for Ting Ling Sajna? I honestly didn't take any references or look at past hit party numbers for 'Ting Ling Sajna' because every song is unique. This one, in particular, is a story-driven song within the film; even though it's an item number, it plays a key role in the narrative. I wanted to make sure I carried that vibe and did justice to the storytelling. Dance has always been the most defining part of my journey, and whatever I've achieved today is because of the talent I bring to it. For this song, I focused on getting both the choreography and expressions just right. I went bold with the look, performance, and overall persona, something very different from my previous work. This song demanded that level of transformation, and I wanted to showcase my acting, expressions, and energy in a fresh way. There were no references, just great direction, and I gave it my all. You're set to debut in the Telugu dance film ' Akasam Daati Vastaava .' Is that true? If yes, what can audiences expect from this project? Yes, I'm super excited for my upcoming Telugu debut film 'Akasam Daati Vastaava', produced by the esteemed Dil Raju Productions. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Dil Raju sir is one of the finest in the Telugu industry, and to debut under his banner feels like a true blessing. The film is a drama-centric entertainer with elements of comedy, emotion, and, of course, dance. It's not just a dance film; it has depth, storytelling, and a strong character arc. The title Akasam Daati Vastaava translates to 'I can chase the sun, moon, and stars for you,' which beautifully reflects the spirit of the film. Audiences will get to see a different side of me through my acting, performance range, and energy on screen. After facing setbacks, including a major injury that took two years from my career, this film feels like a fresh, powerful new beginning. Promotions begin soon, and the film releases next month. I dedicate this to my fans, those who've stood by me, believed in me, and supported me through everything. This one's for you. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Pink Villa
4 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Is Aamir Khan regretting OTT release of Laapataa Ladies in just 8 weeks? Sitaare Zameen Par star spills the beans
Kiran Rao directorial Laapataa Ladies is one of the most loved movies of Bollywood. The film received praise from all corners. The storyline, the impeccable performance, the emotions, the kindness, everything deeply resonated with the viewers. Now, Aamir Khan, who has produced the film, has admitted to regretting its release on OTT in just 8 weeks. In an interview with News 18, Aamir Khan shared, 'I believe Laapataa Ladies would have done really well in theatres if it hadn't premiered on Netflix just eight weeks later.' He further added, 'The word of mouth was so strong. According to me, if it hadn't gone to Netflix so soon, it would have been a huge success.' He also shared that film reviews are subjective as some audiences will like it while others won't. However, he stressed the importance of the box office and said that it provides a 'very definite yardstick'. Calling the box office 'unemotional', he highlighted that it gives a clear picture of the film's earnings and the amount of love it received. Kiran Rao's film Laapataa Ladies was released in theaters on March 1, 2024. It features Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, and Ravi Kishan. The story revolves around two brides who accidentally get swapped during a train ride and the unexpected chaos of the grooms to find their wives. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is gearing up for the release of his much-awaited film Sitaare Zameen Par. The film is the spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par and will hit the theaters on June 20, 2025. Apart from Aamir, the film also stars Genelia Deshmukh, Dolly Ahluwalia, Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar. Directed by R.S. Prasanna and produced by Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit, and Ravi Bhagchandka, Sitaare Zameen is penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Sonali Bendre breaks silence viral videos with Raj Thackeray and gossip around it, reveals if he ever had a crush on her: 'There are families involved, it's not in good taste'
Sonali Bendre and Raj Thackeray were spotted at an event together and people went crazy with the video edits. They compared Sonali and Raj's new video with their old one when they welcomed Michael Jackson to India. Many people speculated that the politician always had a crush on her and some even speculated about rumours that they were together earlier. The internet clearly didn't keep calm. The 'Sarfarosh' actress has finally broken silence on these viral videos and her connection with Thackeray and his family. When asked about these videos which claimed that Raj allegedly has a crush on her, Sonali said, "Did he… I doubt it," and she further clarified, 'I was talking to my sister who was right there." Criticising all the gossip and chatter, she said, "I don't know. I mean, a lot of people… I think it's just not in very good taste when people talk about it like that. First of all, I mean, there are families involved and people involved in all of that." She further explained how her family and Raj's family are connected for many years now. She explained, "Other than the fact that my brother-in-law and my sister… my brother-in-law who's a cricketer and hence used to play cricket with Raj's cousin… Sister's husband and they always played together. Secondly, my sister's mother-in-law was the head of the department that taught us English literature in the (Ramnarain) Ruia College, which I'm from. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo " She added, "So they all knew each other. For me, the connection was that Sharmila, Raj's wife, her mother, and my Maasi were best friends. Her mother has held me for 10 days because you know how, oh, her, my mother's younger sister, Maasi. So when she delivered Raj, they all came laughing. Oh, her elder sister's baby. Let's go and see the baby. They've come to the hospital and seen me. So literally, that's the kind of connection. " She added further, "I've always travelled around… It's not something that I know them beyond a point because I came into Maharashtra only once in two years during summer holidays or something like that." Sonali also said that she has no ambition to get into politics. "I think you need a lot of very thick skin for it, which I don't have… and I'm not politically correct… unfortunately." Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
