What Is the Story About?
Amar, who’s yet to come out as gay to his family, is off to London to meet his uncle. Over a flight, he falls in love with a flamboyant Prem. Despite initial friction, the two are inseparable and hit it off as a couple. As Amar returns to India, his conservative family is desperate to get him married. Prem decides to surprise him at the event and when they make their relationship official, all hell breaks loose.
Performances?
Both the lead actors – Aditya Seal and Sunny Singh – share a warm camaraderie as Prem and Amar. While the director tries to play cautious with their on-screen intimacy, the performers keep the viewers glued with their chemistry and contrasting acting styles. If Aditya oozes confidence in his portrayal of Prem, Sunny is no less convincing as a boy trying to break free from the conservatism in his family.
Pranutan Bahl and Diksha J Singh get to make a mark in this male-heavy universe while Jhumma Mitra, Isha Sood don’t disappoint either. Antarjeet Joshi, Sammy Jonas Heaney and others fit the bill in their brief roles.
Analysis
After the likes of Badhaai Do, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, it’s refreshing to see a queer romance wrapped in a mainstream exterior in Hindi cinema with Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani. Interestingly, the story of the dramedy is less about the sexuality of the leads and more about the cultural clash between their families. The film, however, doesn’t live upto the potential of the idea.
While Amar is a Punjabi hailing from a conservative family and is the only boy to his parents, a London-bred Prem belongs to a supposedly progressive Bengali household. A flight to London serves as a meeting ground for the protagonists. Though Amar faces a few hiccups in revealing his true sexual identity to his family, Prem has no such issues and is openly gay. The road towards their marriage is expectedly a bumpy ride.
There’s trouble in paradise when Amar conveys his love for Prem in the presence of his family. Even homosexuality isn’t a problem for the families, but they can’t digest the union of Punjabis and Bengalis for a wedding. What if 2 States was reimagined as a gay romance? Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani is all about the men resolving the misunderstandings between their families and later among themselves.
As a concept, Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani is entertaining and it’s weirdly engaging that a gender-swap could result in several funny situations. For a change, it’s a girl who’s trying to be the party pooper in a marriage and create a rift between the men. While that’s also tolerable, what gets irritating is the stereotypes around Punjabis and Bengalis in the ‘comic’ situations (cultural clashes)
The ideas for humour are so stale and staple. The Bengalis and Punjabis spar over food (need we say, fish?), dancing abilities, songs, financial status – the conflicts are too silly. Neither do they ensure drama nor serve as an excuse for humour. However, what’s more intriguing is the relationship dynamics between Amar and Prem. The subplot around the ‘man’ in their equation is as authentic as it gets.
Whenever the director Hardik Gajjar falls short of ideas to extend his story into a two-hour film, he inserts several forgettable dance numbers. The pre-climactic conflict and the convenient resolution add insult to injury. Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani is a reasonable attempt at a queer comedy. While Hindi cinema may take time to perfect the genre, this film is a step in the right direction (even with all its imperfections).
Music and Other Departments?
Prasad S (who has worked on the music and the background score) delivers an underwhelming album ridden with tried and tested ideas that work more as speed-breakers for the narrative than as a storytelling necessity. Cinematographer Hanoz V Kerawala, shifting between the sophistication of the UK to garish sets in Punjab, ensures a vibrant, visually pleasing ambience. Rupinder Inderjit’s screenplay fares slightly better than his dialogues. At just under 2 hours, there’s not much to complain about the length.
Highlights?
Aditya Seal and Sunny Singh’s chemistry, performances
The core premise
A reasonably entertaining first-hour
Drawbacks?
Cultural clash portrayed in poor taste
Too many cliches associated with Punjabis and Bengalis
Dull music score
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts
Will You Recommend It?
In case you’re in the mood for a few silly laughs
Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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