Film: Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Anubhav Singh Bassi, Boney Kapoor

Director: Luv Ranjan

Rating: 3.5 Moons

Main pure hosh-o-hawas mein, ishwar ko sakshi maan, dil pe hath rakhke kehti hu ki iss review mein na koi jhooth hai na koi makkaari. Didn't we all crave for a perfect rom-com to watch with the family for years in Hindi cinema? Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar ends the dry spell and how. Directed by Luv Ranjan, yes the filmmaker who is sadly stereotyped as a maker of misogynist films, delivers a thoroughly entertaining and definitely not a gender-biased film. 

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is about Micky (Ranbir Kapoor) who meets Tinni (Shraddha Kapoor) while he's on his best friend Manu's (Anubhav Singh Bassi) bachelor party vacation to Spain. Tinni is Manu's fiance Kinchi's best friend. Micky is born into a business family and is also a breakup guru. Tinni is an independent young woman for whom career is as important as her love life. When they meet, sparks fly. The film orbits around Micky and Tinni's crackling love story, the conflicts that create unexpected rifts between them and most importantly, family. 

The Luv Ranjan directorial comes at the right time when action-thrillers are topping the charts. Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is like a splash of bright and happy colours just like those used while playing Holi. There's the freshness of romance, lightness in the treatment and ease in narration. Having said so, there's no compromise on laughs and heartwarming emotions. The rom-com ticks all the boxes of pure entertainment, but of course, only if you leave prejudices at home and look at it as a film, not a moral lesson. There are flaws at the story level but at the end of the film, all that stays behind is the happy and good time you spent in the theatres. 

Luv has always been accused of being harsh with his female protagonists by showing them in a negative light. He breaks his image with Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. His Tinni and Micky may not be the best of humans but they are real. They're unconventionally perfect and justified in their own space. Of course, the audience of a Sooraj Barjatya film might find it difficult to resonate with her but a modern young woman with her heart, mind and sensibility in place would somewhat believe in her. 

The director and writer Rahul Mody give Micky the image of a casanova and flirt but deep down, he's a desi man for whom there's nothing bigger and more important than family and love. He isn't the larger-than-life hero who would fight, scream and overexaggerate in a bid to win a woman's heart. His simplicity is in the fact that he stands his ground and so does his partner. The clash of ideologies has been structured in such a manner that you'll be sucked into it. Taking sides isn't the purpose of Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. It includes the idea that to make a relationship work, the couple has to be on a common ground which comes through timely communication. One of the interesting things, even if minor, has to be admired-Micky's sister's name is Minnie. Isn't it cute? 

Despite being an engaging entertainer, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar picks up after the interval. Shooting out in the sky like a rocket, Luv gives the film a complete makeover. The first half is all about Micky and Tinni's love story, the Spain vacation, good locations and dance numbers. The runtime is 2 hours 44 minutes and it does start getting tedious before the actual fun kicks in. The film begins on a great note and takes a dip in between before picking up in the pre-interval portion. At a junction, predictability also seeps. Thankfully, the second half separates itself from the flaws. 

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar deserves all the acclaim for getting the humour bang on. The last 20 minutes will be remembered for eternity. The right balance between heartbreaking emotions and endless bouts of laughter makes it a delightful way to end the film. The dialogues, especially the ones Manu, played by Anubhav Singh Bassi, has to pull off are incredibly hilarious. It takes effort to make jokes and puns land and every actor has taken the job to make people laugh seriously. 

Shraddha Kapoor was dearly missed on the silver screen and she return with a solid punch. Tinni is the most unconventional and somewhat unlikeable character if looked through a different lens but she makes her real and viewer-friendly. Her ambitions, goals, thought process and way to live her life make her somebody with blood and flesh and not just a passive character. Shraddha fits the role of Tinni beautifully. The actress in an effortless manner paves a path into your hearts and shall remain rent-free forever. Not to forget, she has set the screen on fire with her looks. Girls, kindly bookmark for your next outing. 

Ranbir Kapoor is as charming as always. The actor returns to the genre of rom-com after a long time and we craved this. He balances every emotion without allowing anyone to fail. As Micky, Ranbir steals our hearts once again. He is a gifted actor with eyes that speak volumes. While being self-aware of the fact that he's a casanova, Ranbir celebrates it and gives ample chances to be mindblown by his acting and drooling over his good looks. 

Anubhav Singh Bassi is a complete entertainment package. It is a delight to watch him wave his wand of humour and leave the audience enchanted. Monica Chaudhary as Kinchi is limited but she's a treat to watch. The real star performer of Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is little Inayat Verma. What a confident and wonderful actor she is! Dimple Kapadia plays the typical loud Punjabi mother with a heart of gold. She is superb as always. Boney Kapoor makes his acting debut and he does a decent job. Hasleen Kaur as Minnie is likable too.

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar's cinematography has the power to transport you to the locations where the film has been shot. Pritam's music goes well with the story. Pyaar Hota Kayi Baar Hai, Tere Pyaar Mein and O Bedardeya stand out the most along with the title track. The introduction sequences of Ranbir and Shraddha are perfectly choreographed and placed in the story. The editing could have been sharper as the runtime of the film gets stretched. 

Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar is a film we all wanted to watch in cinema halls with family, friends and partners. A perfect Holi treat, the film serves its purpose to the core and never gets too preachy or regressive. Sit down with popcorn, samosa and of course, Shraddha's favourite vada pav!

PeepingMoon gives Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar 3.5 Moons