It could have been such a great movie, but, the clichés just bum you out since the beginning. Watching Rajkummar play a small town boy has got boring with every movie that he does. However, we still do like him a lot, as he plays his character with conviction. Be it the young lover to Kriti Kharbanda, or the avengeful man later, he delivers such emotions, that you just can’t sit in the theatre unaffected. Kriti comes out as a surprise package. She shows great acting skills, and might be the rising star in Bollywood, just like Bhumi Pednekar. All character actors are a treat to watch. Govind Namdev’s strict and patriarchal father is in contrast to KK Raina’s educated father of the groom and Navni Parihar is impressive as an understanding but submissive mom – all of them successfully manage to bring to the screen the life and travails of small-town India. After some twists, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana turns into a revenge drama but goes back to being a love story when the curtain comes down. Putting great emphasis on the evils of the society, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana is a great watch, but only once it comes out on DVD.

Ratnaa Sinha makes an impressive directorial debut with Rajkummar Rao and Kirti Kharbanda-starrer Shaadi Mein Zarur Aana. The film ticks all Bollywood boxes -- romance, drama, revenge, songs et al. But beyond the song and dance routine, it also shines light on gender inequality, dowry and corruption, holding a mirror up to us as a people. After some twists Shaadi Mein… turns into a revenge saga but goes back to being a love story when the curtain comes down. The narrative is not jerky, no sudden jumps and an undertone of the love story is carried throughout. Rajkummar’s transformation from a young man charmed by his lady to the one who does not believe in love is impressive. He makes you love, pity and hate him all in a single stroke. Kriti effortlessly essays her role. All character actors are a treat to watch. Govind Namdev’s strict and patriarchal father is in contrast to KK Raina’s educated father of the groom and Navni Parihar is impressive as an understanding but submissive mom – all of them successfully manage to bring to the screen the life and travails of small-town India. The film, however, leans too much on clichés. Songs are abrupt and obstruct the narrative. The filmmakers have also relied heavily on melodrama but despite these minor hiccups, this is an invitation you must not miss.

Small-town shaadi films are the flavour of the season, but this one, despite the presence of a solid-as-ever Rajkummar Rao, stinks to high heaven. A film that this actor, who is in the midst of a deservedly fine run, cannot rescue isn't worth rescuing. Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Kharbanda's film is such a terribly confused take on a girl who dares to run away from a wedding in order to pursue her career ambitions that, by the end of it, it is difficult to tell which side of the gender and ethical divide the film is really on. The lead actors of Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana are surrounded by a bunch of talented supporting cast members - K.K. Raina, Alka Amin, Govind Namdeo, Navni Parihar, Vipin Sharma, Manoj Pahwa - who do everything in their power to inject some semblance of sanity into the proceedings. But, no, they do not stand chance for it is all too flimsy and slovenly to be salvaged. Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana? Ignore the invite. But if you still want to give it a shot simply because of Rajkummar Rao, heed this advice: he has done, and will do, infinitely better films? Wait for the next one.

For a film that ostensibly sets out to speak against the ills of dowry, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana is surprisingly, and dangerously muted. On those who seek to sell their sons and buy daughters-in-law. On those who wave it off as a long-standing ‘samaaj ki pratha’. On those who wring their hands and say, what-can we-do-we-have-to-marry-off-our-daughters-too. As if any or all of these are mitigating factors. On everything else, it is very loud. The decibel level of the background music. The pitch of the melodrama. The Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Kharbanda starrer will leave you confused. The plot looks straight out of the 80s, with its implausible 'revenge' theme, the characters who look 'seedha' but are totally 'ulta', and a leading lady who is presented as a modern, thinking girl, but is given very little agency or a mind of her own. The real surprise of this film is Nayani Dixit who plays Aarti’s ‘badi behen’, even if her ‘career advice’ to her younger sister is dodgy. Dixit is refreshingly tart and spirited, and in an ideal world, would have had played the lead. What also keeps us watching is, of course, Rao. He’s had a super year, and this time around too, he makes his Sattu a real, vulnerable guy. But maybe he needs to take a break from being a small-town lover boy. It’s all becoming too much of a muchness, as are movies set in these small towns, and their quirky, colourful characters. What about a film with a convincing, loud shout out against ‘dahej’? Now that’s one invite I wouldn’t miss.

Though director Ratnaa Sinha addresses various social issues (dowry, bribe, gender equality) in her overstretched and a tad outdated tale, her film is predominantly a romantic drama that seems inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion. Class and gender disparity, revenge, jealousy and eternal love - it ticks all boxes. However, unlike Austen's classic that beautifully captures the simmering tension, regret, and passion between two former lovers, this one leaves a lot to imagination. What then keeps you engaged despite the rather implausible plot riddled with misunderstandings is some real good performances, led by the very talented Rajkummar Rao. Whatever he touches turns to gold. His subtle and honest portrayal of Sattu is a testament to his much talked about acting brilliance. Kriti Kharbanda exudes charm and simplicity, thus complimenting Raj perfectly. The film could have been much better than it eventually turns out to be. But if you don't mind watching a modest family drama, reminiscent of the 90s, you won't mind being privy to this emotional alliance.