Director & Producer: Vijay Krishna Acharya and Aditya Chopra
Writer: Vijay Krishna Acharya
MapsOfIndia.com/MyIndia.in Rating: 2.5/5
Plot
The plot centres around Ved Vyas Tripathi (Vicky Kaushal), also known as Billu and popularly called Bajan Prasad, the story’s protagonist and narrator. He is a devotional vocalist and the son of a renowned Pandit Siya Ram Tripathi (Kumud Mishra). The story begins with the arrival of Vicky Kaushal, who recalls his upbringing. This flashback tells the narrative of how he became a devotional singer. He has two best friends, Bhaata (Bhuvan Arora) and Sarveshwar (Ashutosh Ujjwal), and lives in a joint family. Billu perceives life as a game of snakes and ladders, with his family members as the dangerous snakes snapping at his heels. The plot takes a turn when Surveshwar wants to impress a girl named Jasmeet (Manushi Chillar), and Ved resolves to assist him in doing so, but in the process, he falls in love with her, causing a conflict between the two best friends.
Following the rift, a stranger approaches Ved’s front porch and offers him a letter holding a secret: Ved is adopted and is indeed the son of a Muslim woman who died during a city riot. This truth turns Ved’s life upside down and gives his father’s nemesis a chance to bring the family down. The plot then revolves around the secret and the troubles it causes in the family and society. In today’s world, the plot addresses the issues of communal cohesiveness, hatred, and intolerance.
Performances
The film’s main attractions are Kumud Mishra and Manoj Pahwa. They have a compelling screen presence and connect with the audience. Manushi Chillar, as the female protagonist, got relatively little screen time yet delivered an engaging performance. Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Ved was realistic and relatable. The overall performances are good, and their personalities add to the experience.
Analysis
The film refocuses on the culture of joint families and how their connection stays strong despite their arguments and differences. It depicts an ideal family that believes in sticking together, and even when things are tough and crises test their bond, they will not desert their own in times of distress. It’s safe to call it a family entertainer. However, the comic factor could have been higher.
The main story and premise of the film are fantastic and captivating, but the screenplay and execution are disappointing. The tale becomes monotonous and repetitive with time, making it a little boring. The film’s second half focuses on preconceptions about Muslims and their lives. Because of the screenplay, some sequences that were supposed to be deep could not make a point or connect with the emotions. The film’s music tracks were likewise lacking and unable to create a buzz, although they were beautifully shot and choreographed.
Verdict
The Great Indian Family is a movie that might have been a massive success because of the concept and its relevance today, but the disappointing screenplay made the film uninteresting. The plot is predictable, which adds to the monotony. The storyline, however, does not credit the hero’s romantic interest; Chillar’s loud and aggressive character Jasmine should have been given more screen time.
