‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ (Hindi)
Written & Directed by: Ali Abbas Zafar;
Cast: Imran Khan, Ali Zafar and Katrina Kaif
Love triangle plots have been used quite generously by makers of Hindi films. From the 60s till the 90s, most of these films (such as the Raj Kapoor-Rajendra Kumar- Vyjayanthimala-starrer ‘Sangam’) had tragic endings as one of the lead actors would sacrifice his love for the other two to live happily ever after.
However, in the 21st century, things seem to have changed. Coming as a breath of fresh air, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (MBKD) gives you enough reasons to smile, laugh, and have fun while the lead actors attempt to wriggle out of this web of love triangle.
Luv (Ali Zafar) entrusts his brother Kush (Imran Khan) with the task of finding a bride for him, after the former breaks up with his girlfriend of five years. Kush finds Dimple (Katrina Kaif), a carefree, joyful, and bindaas girl, whom he had earlier met during a college trip.
Then, as most predictable Hindi films’ storylines would go — Kush and Dimple fall in love just before she gets engaged to Luv. Yes, you’ve seen this before in many other previous Hindi films. But the fresh pair of Imran and Katrina lights up the screen with their great on-screen chemistry.
Katrina is adorable as the bindaas London-return kudi. She lights up the screen with her energetic performance, one of the best in her career. Her free flowing dance moves, her latkas and jhatkas (especially in Dhunki lage... and a couple of more songs post interval), her cute expressions, and even more impressive acting, are enough to give men sleepless nights.
Katrina plays the cheerful and fun-loving Dimple. Imran seems to be one person who can do no wrong these days. He comes up with a mature performance, a far cry from his ‘Luck’ and ‘Kidnap’ days. Ali Zafar plays his part well. He is probably the best import from Pakistan.
Coming to the film, it exceeds expectations in its treatment and storyline. Instead of making it predictable, with expected rhona dhona in the end, the writer-director, Ali Abbas Zafar, gives it a new twist, with the lead pair in love — Katrina and Imran — finding ways to get out of this mess, while all the other members in the extended star cast remain gleefully cheerful in the end.
A far cry from a similar flick, director Onir’s ‘Sorry Bhai!’, which ends on a gloomy note. The three characters in MBKD get their love — Luv returns to his girlfriend, while Kush marries Dimple. In this entertaining flick, a special mention must be made about the characterisation, direction, and its screenplay. All the characters are well-etched out and identifiable. The character of Dimple is probably the best in the movie. The film is fast-paced and keeps you engrossed with its developments till the very end.
Music by Sohail Sen is good and hummable. With no visible flaws, MBKD is a well-packaged entertainer. And among them, Katrina walks away with all the accolades.