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Badrinath Ki Dulhania is yet another Bollywood movie that glorifies stalking

Badrinath Ki Dulhania is yet another Bollywood movie that glorifies stalking

Not to mention even as it aims to upend gender stereotypes, the movie is deeply sexist and reactionary
15 Mar, 2017

Badrinath Ki Dulhania is not your average light-hearted romantic comedy nor is it the crusading feminist film it aspires to be.

Varun Dhawan stars as Badri, a debt collector in Jhansi who works for his wealthy father. He runs into the lovely Vaidehi (Alia Bhatt) at a wedding and immediately decides that he wants to marry her. All it takes is one brief exchange of insults and one dance number for him to know she’s the woman for him – so much for a progressive story line.

Admittedly this is a small-town romance. Badri is from Jhansi and Vaidehi lives in nearby Kota. Middle class Vaidehi’s parents worry about scraping together enough dowry to marry off both their daughters, both of whom are educated, pretty and have plenty going for them.

Badri’s father meanwhile, despite being wealthy, demands a hefty “wedding gift” when his sons marry. This may seem like a decent premise for tackling the entire dowry issue but the film rapidly goes off the rails.

After that first meeting, Badri immediately sends a friend to talk to her parents and, as an afterthought, tells her he’s planning to marry her. Vaidehi tells him she isn’t interested – on multiple occasions, in many ways and in crystal clear language. Badri, of course, is a Bollywood hero so he thinks “no” really means ‘she doesn’t know what’s best for her’.

Cue stalking, dogged insistence and some manipulation packaged as gallantry from the hero. Regardless of the fact that this sets up the rest of the plot, it’s deeply disappointing to see this as the basis for yet another love story.

From Shammi Kapoor and Saira Bano in Junglee (1961) to Anushka Sharma and Salman Khan in Sultan (2016), no rarely means no.

The film miscues its feminist aspirations big time
The film miscues its feminist aspirations big time

Badrinath Ki Dulhania’s story itself is poorly thought out, with the second half in particular being full of convenient plot devices and contrived situations. The action suddenly shifts to Singapore and the pair’s transformation from small-town yokels to urban youngsters is jarring.

Seeing them forced into a domestic situation and exchanging romantic glances over halwa requires a definite suspension of belief.

While the plot is deeply flawed, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan give their usual polished performances. The styling, songs and choreography are all well done and the film has the trappings of a festive, feel-good movie. There are some funny moments among the laboured role-reversal jokes and there’s plenty of eye candy.

The supporting cast of the rom-com is hit and miss. Sahil Vaid has his moments as Badri’s sidekick Somdev and both fathers are good caricatures of parental emotional blackmail. Badri’s brother and Vaidehi’s sister both offer interesting counterpoints to their romance.

However, all of this happens mostly in the first half. The entourage of friends in the second half fail to make much impact and this adds to the loss of momentum after the interval.

Sahid Vaid does have his shining moments
Sahid Vaid does have his shining moments

Where the film really fails is the fact that this is not a jori (match) you want to be cheering on.

Badri is supposed to be a bad boy with a heart of gold but spends far too much of the movie acting entitled. He is an uneducated thug -unpar gunda- (spoilers!) who stalks, threatens and at one point abducts Vaidehi.

She's educated, smart, spunky and apparently an utter fool because his creepy persistence, sorry "loyalty", is such a redeeming factor that all is forgiven. He doesn't deserve her on any level and the entire "romance" is a travesty.

Girl, don't fall for it!
Girl, don't fall for it!

From the very first frame, the film signposts its activist credentials, talking about the social scourge of dowry. Yet, even as it aims to upend gender stereotypes, Badrinath Ki Dulhania is deeply sexist and reactionary.

Despite the use of modern technology, the second half could be right out of Bollywood yesteryear. At one point Badri tells his father “This is 2017” but does Bollywood realise this? While it's great they're making anti-dowry film, how about making violence a deal breaker in any relationship?

The film miscues its feminist aspirations big time. A straightforward rom-com would honestly have been more fun.

Comments

wellwisher Mar 15, 2017 03:15pm
all hindi movies have non sense storyline. But we enjoy it.
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NITesh Mar 15, 2017 03:18pm
This is why Pak should focus to establish it's own film industry and should avoid passing any comment on foreign creation.
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Sri Mar 15, 2017 03:25pm
Good review
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Dipak singham Mar 15, 2017 03:26pm
Alia day by day becoming very mature actor in her young career.
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sk Mar 15, 2017 03:39pm
I saw the trailer and was horrified. It promotes stalking and it should be banned. Sad that Bollywood still promotes such trash
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sachin Mar 15, 2017 03:40pm
True I agree, now let me imagine stories (movies) where there is no bad scene, no revenge, no harsh words, no fight, no alcoholic, no smoker, no stalker, no villain, no rapist, good police, only fully covered clothes, minimum western dress, politeness everywhere. All movies should have family stories, boy meets girl, tells his parents, they come and arrange, some nice songs in between. Film over. Just wondering how many movies can be made like that. If we desire to have good stories then we should then give writers at least some themes to work on which is bereft of anything undesirable. Also we should guarantee box office collections for our stories.
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Sana Mar 15, 2017 03:47pm
Wake up!.. Indian movies have always been like this. Indecent clothing, obscenity in the name of romance and pathetic language /dialog has not ever bothered our class of intelligentsia . Why your expectations have changed ..
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Akhwandk Mar 15, 2017 03:48pm
Not to mention a potential Man on Man rape scene is treated as a punchline, with comic music.
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gulab Mar 15, 2017 04:09pm
Take a chill pill buddy. Enjoy. It's a movie.
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Khwarizmi Mar 15, 2017 04:34pm
Seriously, is Bollywood even a thing these days? People I know, feel is not their cup of tea: maning educated people do not watch such garbage.
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Akram Mar 15, 2017 04:45pm
This movie has nothing new to offer. Same content in different packaging. Bhatt and Dhawan look good , but they have nothing to work with. Some catchy music that can grow on you. 45 minutes too long post interval. Yet it's a hit. Pity the yardstick of present day movie goers.
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Shekhar Mar 15, 2017 04:48pm
@gulab Well said, Gulab.
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Usman Mar 15, 2017 04:49pm
Not sure where we are taking this being "politicallay correct" statement and recently it is being a trend. The Film is an art and art should be allowed to flourish without enforcing our own corrections. Everyone who does not like is open to voice their opinion but enforcing a label on every piece because it was not politically or morally correct becomes a huge problem. For example, a nude statue might be incorrect morally or politically yet it is a form of art and be given that respect as well. Just remember freedom of expression is key to the art itself (obviously as long as it is not inciting violence )
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Aman Mar 15, 2017 04:50pm
Well in that case most of the love stories would be considered stalking. One has to woo the lady, isn't it? Especially in real life!
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olive Mar 15, 2017 04:55pm
didn't plan to watch it in the first place
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sandeep Mar 15, 2017 05:02pm
95% of Bollywood movies are made with zero resemblance to reality. Big waste of time.
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Syed Hussain Mar 15, 2017 05:04pm
whatever review may say, but as a pakistani who loves bollywood movies, I truly enjoyed this movie..gr8 performance and good message in the end..full on entertainment... Way to go bollywood..love you india.
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Raj Patel Mar 15, 2017 05:12pm
@sandeep How do you know ?? means you have watched many Bollywood movies.
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sachin Mar 15, 2017 05:13pm
@Sana Sana have you not seen the posters of Lollywood? If Indian movies have been so undesirable then the ban should not have been lifted. Theaters should not be full of people. Turkish movies- there are so many scenes that perhaps you would not like. Will common people spend money in Karachi and watch an Amharic movie? Do you foresee that all theaters in Pakistan start showing only Iranian, Korean, Turkish and Nigerian movies? If people are going and the theater owners are doing business showing Indian movies that means people like it. Also, let me correct myself- what is shown in Pakistan is only Hindi movies not Tamil, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, Odiya, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali etc. In the end people win not intellectuals.
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hind Mar 15, 2017 05:44pm
there is a difference between stalking and trying to convince , its all about innocence in the attempt. And trust me girls sees right through intention of a guy.
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kerala Mar 15, 2017 05:44pm
@sachin you nailed it!
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NOMANSLAND Mar 15, 2017 05:59pm
Its just a movie so relax !! No one comments about illogical action sequences, drama, violence etc in the movies... And I doubt that any sane person would fall for a stalker !! So watch the movie, have fun and leave it at that.... If you want to analyse its contents so seriously then I reckon you watch documentaries instead !!
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TALAT RAHIM Mar 15, 2017 06:05pm
The movie has that feel- good factor.The songs and dances kept you tapping your feet! The weak story plot does not bother you if you are enjoying good acting ,good faces and good direction! We need movies to entertain us and keep us happy! And the movie has a message.That respect must precede love!So what more can you ask for?I came back Happy! Thank you to whoever was behind this movie! All my friends loved it Talat Rahim ( Ms )
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Aamer Mar 15, 2017 06:13pm
People shouldn’t make a big deal out of a movie. It’s just a Masala film for entertainment purposes. A boy sees a girl and falls in love with her and wants to marry her. This happens in every Indian and Pakistani and even Hollywood movies. If you don’t like such movies, there are other options like Biographies, horror and art films etc. So if you don’t like Masala film go for an art film. For example last week I saw Irfan Khans ‘Lunch Box’ and just fell in love with it. It had a great drama and was so down to earth, but we also need entertainment not just art or a message.
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Khan Mar 15, 2017 06:38pm
@NITesh It's not pak passing in comments, it's movie viewers that have the right to pass comment on. Arts is not limited to a country. I can watch a Korean movie and still can comment on it as a critique.
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Khan Mar 15, 2017 06:39pm
@Dipak singham she can be very good for a character role but doesnot have the looks for a lead role.
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Khan Mar 15, 2017 06:41pm
@Sana Agreed. They are copy cats. Watch movies from different regions and come up with a recipe of pain for 3 hours in the cinema.
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Khan Mar 15, 2017 06:43pm
@sachin Please raise your level of awareness and good stories will come along. The comedy I see in your movies, is a work of 5th grader for starters!
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Sorty Mar 15, 2017 06:46pm
@Sana Don't watch.No one forces you.
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Sorty Mar 15, 2017 06:47pm
@Akram its for Indian movie goers ,not for every ones taste.
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atif_lahori Mar 15, 2017 07:20pm
@sachin dil pe mat lo bhai , happy holly, there will always be people who will like or dislike take a chill pill dude
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rahul kumar Mar 15, 2017 08:00pm
@Sana In that case stop watching bollywood movies
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rahul kumar Mar 15, 2017 08:03pm
@Raj Patel Good one mate
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omveer Mar 15, 2017 08:08pm
It's all fun and frolic. The hero pestering the heroine, jumping around trees , singing to entertain. Don't read too much in the storyline. Anyway, the movie is a flop.
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rahul Mar 15, 2017 08:23pm
Seriously the plot is flawed!!It is very good movie to me.
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Chandra Mar 15, 2017 08:25pm
To all my friends trying to defend such bollywood story line, I found this article's title very close to my thought. Stalking is a real problem in our society and very ubiquitous. I can say without exaggeration that every girl, young or middle-aged has been teased in one or another way in India. Most of the low-intellect romeos take cue from these movies and start putting themselves in actor's shoes assuming they have right to stalk the girl while girl does not have right to refuse. Degree of outcome can vary from one time nuisance to ongoing one, acid attack, murder. Again, these are actually happening and not exaggeration. It doesn't strike us unless the victim is a known one. So such stupid stories should be shunned. Much better romantic movies have thrived in bollywood.
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rahul Mar 15, 2017 08:26pm
This is a movie not a documetnary.It is suppose to be flawed
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Chandra Mar 15, 2017 08:30pm
@Aman Correct, wooing by being responsible is one thing, but being a nuisance and forceful is another thing. Quite a few movies have crossed the line of being responsible. People like you and I have the intellect to differentiate movie from reality,
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Pyasa Mar 15, 2017 08:53pm
If a movie describes true day to day life than it is not a movie!
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Seedoo Mar 15, 2017 09:00pm
@NITesh Why can't you take critique own its own merit? Why does it have to turn into an India vs Pakistan rivalry? Dude, Indian movies have a big market in Pakistan, and it is ok for a Pakistani writer to write a review. If the review is full of praise, you don't have a problem with it, but the moment a Pakistani dares to criticize, you have to jump on the writer. Some people will never grow up
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Fds Mar 15, 2017 09:14pm
@sk good or bad everyone in India has freedom to express thoughts..It is not mandatory to watch!!
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sameena Mar 15, 2017 09:18pm
this movie was really good, I think when watching a bollywood movie this is all expected and the movie is truly A+ loved and laughed alot!
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AAhmed Mar 15, 2017 09:35pm
Bollywood movies feature character less hero who begin stalking an educated well mannered girl often from a respectful but powerless family. Hero being a ghunda/robin hood forced his desire on her by frequently harassing her in public places. Most often people join him indiscriminately in song numbers which often worded with harsh threats to her. She finding no way out compelled in to marry him at the end. Films inspire people. They create norms in society. Promoting sexual harassment through movies and then cutting foul is ironic in India.
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Abhay Mar 15, 2017 10:02pm
Watched this movie.. good time pass... every movie can't be dangal or sultan.... But I feel this movie not so bad
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Yojana Mar 16, 2017 12:28am
Agree. But still way less 'sexist' and/or propagandist than Pakistani dramas and movies.
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tKhan Mar 16, 2017 02:30am
I am so amazed that while stalking the actors go up an down the hills, climb the trees, get soaked in the rain, still keep the makeup, become dry just as quickly, get 9 clothing change (3 per minute), ride on the hood (bonnet), and always find the willing pedestrian to sing along. Need to know what they drink?
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Indian Mar 16, 2017 05:03am
Learn to watch movies for entertainment. Go to some baba if you want spiritual lessons. This is a good movie, just enjoy it and have some fun for sometime.
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Indian Mar 16, 2017 05:17am
@Seedoo Watch the movie and if you don't laugh then call this movie as crap! I bet you can't hold yourself from laughing and enjoying the movie. What's more you expect from a movie except it entertain you?
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kerala Mar 16, 2017 06:08am
@sk Oh please don't see trash and change channels if Indian trailers pop up and close your eyes if you see an Indian film poster. If you're still feeling unbearable approach at least local authorities to ban film!
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Ramesh Kumar Mar 16, 2017 08:04am
Stories, filmi or otherwise, are meant for entertainment, not for teaching morals to the society. If you want stories with morals, read about thirsty crow, tortoise and rabbit etc.
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riz Mar 16, 2017 09:15am
amazing review,, hats off to the writer,, really like to such indepth reviews in future as well,, yes we need to watch movies with such critical eye..
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Venkat Mar 16, 2017 10:29am
@sachin : Do you even realize what you are saying ? Please think before endorsing stalking and such cheap male chauvinism... We can make movies with many things that may not be proper, but these issues are real and they impact the though process of millions of youngsters especially in small town India where they are emulated even today.
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ripan Mar 16, 2017 12:16pm
To be honest,I never watch these kind of movies but that doesn't make it a bad one
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sachin Mar 16, 2017 12:37pm
@Venkat Please enlighten me which line endorsed cheap male chauvinism. I did not endorse stalking- who would? Movies are movies- growing up we saw so many movies of all types. Did we become any of them? I am a die hard SRK fan- Darr, Bazigar were my favourites- did I become a stalker? None of my college mates across all the faculties become stalkers. If movies encouraged people in the wrong way they should also encourage people the right way since it has to work both ways. People have own intelligence- talk to a high schooler- their sense of understanding is amazing- not just here but anywhere in the world. I was in Ethiopia- they said they love Indian movies. In Accra Ghana, I met many locals who watch Indian movies regularly, similarly in South Africa. In Penang, Malaysia many locals watch Indian movies.
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great langoor Mar 16, 2017 01:33pm
Most of we LAZY people always like to waste time and money by watching Cricket and live in dreamy Bollywood.
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INDIAN Mar 16, 2017 03:31pm
The fact is intelectuals doent even watch Bolllywood movies
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malik Mar 18, 2017 01:21am
@NITesh : Pak film industry is growing every single day - movies produced by Pakistan film industry during the past few years are way better than Indian movies in my aspects. No offence to you NITesh, we love Indian music and bollywood movies but Pakistan is also doing great. Our singers sing for Indian movies, and they are paid heavily for this, means they have a value and they are able to contribute.
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