Varun Dhawan shines in a romantic comedy filled with charm and humor, despite some narrative shortcomings.
Shashank Khaitan’s romantic comedy, ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’, features a notable cast including Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf. The film revolves around the complicated relationships between its central characters. Sunny loves Ananya, while Tulsi has feelings for Vikram. The story takes a twist when Ananya breaks up with Sunny, and Vikram ends his relationship with Tulsi, prompting the families of Ananya and Vikram to arrange their marriage.
In a bid to win back their exes, Sunny and Tulsi pretend to be a couple. This setup offers a familiar narrative, drawing on the time-tested formula of romantic comedies. Although the film does not consistently maintain its energy, it features elements of old-fashioned romance and a plethora of humorous dialogues penned by Khaitan and Ishita Moitra.
Sunny Sanskari, played by Varun Dhawan, is a jeweller’s son with an exceptional talent for evaluating the worth of jewels. However, he struggles to recognize the reality of his relationship with Ananya, whom he perceives as a significant partner, but who merely sees him as part of a situationship. On the other hand, Tulsi Kumari, portrayed by Janhvi Kapoor, has been in a long-term relationship with Vikram, whose affluent family does not acknowledge her status. The film presents Tulsi as middle class, although her lavish wardrobe and extensive makeup budget raise questions about this classification.
As the pretend couple attempts to provoke jealousy in their exes, Sunny humorously states their intent to turn the blood of their former partners green. However, the film seems to lose momentum by the time the interval arrives, leaving viewers wondering how much longer the quadrangular dance of relationships can be extended before it simplifies into a duet.
Supporting characters contribute to the film’s runtime, with Maniesh Paul portraying an overly enthusiastic wedding planner, and Abhinav Sharma as the obligatory best friend. Akshay Oberoi features as Vikram’s skeptical brother. These characters, while adding some depth, ultimately lead to a bloated narrative. Khaitan even incorporates themes of female emancipation, yet seems to momentarily forget to resolve the central romantic conflicts.
Rohit Saraf and Sanya Malhotra receive ample screen time, ensuring they are integral to the plot rather than mere background figures. Janhvi Kapoor makes a commendable effort to match Varun Dhawan’s comedic prowess and fluidity in transitioning between comedic and emotional scenes. Despite the film’s lengthy title suggesting a focus on two protagonists, it largely revolves around Sunny Sanskari, with Varun Dhawan delivering the standout performance.
Dhawan captures the audience’s attention with his humor, dance moves, and overall charm. While Sunny’s appeal does not always translate to success with Ananya, his presence undeniably carries the film. ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ is most vibrant and entertaining when Dhawan is on screen, illustrating a love story that is as much about the character’s journey as it is about the dynamics between the various relationships at play.
