Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story: A Disastrous Rom-Com Misfire
Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story, the latest project from director Kunal Kohli, has recently launched on Disney+ Hotstar, but it appears to have missed the mark to the chagrin of critics and audiences alike. The romantic comedy attempts to introduce the audiences to the charming and youthful characters Bobby, played by Kaveri Kapur, and Rishi, portrayed by Vardhan Puri, as they navigate love and life, but the execution has led to widespread disappointment.
When it was first announced, 'Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story' was expected to be full of the charm and wit typical of Kohli's earlier successes such as 'Hum Tum' and 'Fanaa.' Unfortunately, early reviews indicate the film falls far short of these standards, exemplifying how not to create a compelling romantic story.
Kohli, who also wrote the film, seems to have lost the touch he once had, plunging the narrative headfirst without control. Critics have described the movie’s humor as forced and unconvincing. The characters get thrown together almost randomly, with dialogue like 'I am not impotent; she is ugly,' which does little to lend itself to genuine humor. Any potential chemistry between the leads feels as hopelessly contrived as the story itself.
According to reviewers, both leading actors struggle to deliver performances with any depth or authenticity. While Vardhan attempts to mimic classic characters from Bollywood history, including the iconic Raj from 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,' he often misses the mark and becomes irritating rather than endearing. Kapur, making her acting debut, apparently fails to convey the necessary emotional range for her character, resulting in what critics have labeled as dull screen presence.
The plot revolves around the two protagonists crossing paths during a brief encounter and dealing with societal expectations as they eventually split up and reunite at two dramatically different moments, which lack originality and depth. A situation wherein Rishi embarrassingly encounters Bobby again years later at her wedding, only to face unforeseen consequences, fails to create intrigue and feels painfully scripted.
Reviewers particularly critique Kohli for not delivering even one memorable musical number, especially when considering the talents of multiple composers involved—including AR Rahman. Despite the film being labeled as a romantic comedy, it has faced backlash for its uninspiring music.
While the initial concept of 'Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story' holds potential, its execution is deemed lazy and lacking genuine enthusiasm. With no discernible chemistry between the two protagonists, critics have questioned the film’s rationale as live-action romantic storytelling, reminiscent more of lifeless caricatures than earnest portrayals.
Nevertheless, amid the adverse critiques, there are shining moments from the film. Cinematically, it does offer some attractive visuals of the U.K. settings, with Assam Hall’s cinematography reportedly catching viewers’ eyes, even if this is not enough to offset the drama’s many shortcomings.
Reflecting on his cast choices, Kunal Kohli mentioned picking Puri and Kapur not solely based on their heritage but fundamentally for their innocence and charm, which he believed would resonate with viewers. While Kunal expressed hope about bringing romance back to the Bollywood scene, his attempt with 'Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story' has been met with skepticism.
Kohli has remarked upon the decline of romantic films overall within the industry and insists upon the need for more heartfelt stories, stating 'We've lost it as an industry.' He believes romantic comedies need to find their footing again and hopes this film can contribute positively, even though initial reactions differ sharply from this expectation.
Both Kapur and Puri have shared insights about the behind-the-scenes experiences during the making of the film, with Kapur thanking Kohli for igniting her passion for acting, claiming she found joy even amid challenges on set. Such sentiments stand as highlights in what has otherwise been described as less than stellar performances.
Critics continue to wonder how this project made it to mainstream streaming, speculating whether it truly showcases the potential of its newcomers or merely serves as another notch on Kohli’s belt—a film gone awry amid much promise. All arrows seem to point toward one conclusion: audiences crave genuine romantic storytelling, and this may not be it.
Overall, 'Bobby Aur Rishi Ki Love Story' raises the challenging question about the current direction of Bollywood's romantic offerings, with Kohli aiming to recapture lost magic but instead delivering disjointed humor and faint performances.