Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui
Producer: Vatsala Singh
Camera: Abhay Sharma
How is it that Ayushmann Khurrana always hits the jackpot while dealing with matters below the belt? Between the uber-fertile Vicky in Vicky Donor to Shubh Mangal Savdhan's Mudit whose life is slowly limping away (quite literally), Ayushmann has displayed a whole spectrum of acting ability without displaying any performance anxiety whatsoever.
Mudit and Sugandha (Bhumi) have a very shubh mangal start to their affair. Love at first sight followed by a blue tick from the parents and shaadi ki date is pakki, but when it’s time to hit a home run, Mudit's little friend is unable to rise to the occasion.
At one point, Mudit and Sugandha are sitting next to each other on the bed, assiduously chewing gum. Since Mudit had an onion kulcha (pronounced with an ‘aww’) for lunch, this is the prepping routine for their first real kiss. Director RS Prasanna’s spirited pace and refreshing take on a topic Bollywood would generally hyperventilate about, erectile dysfunction, has rarely been so much fun.
Instead of tiptoeing around the issue or sensationalising it beyond reason, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan throws prudishness to the wind and gives the issue a passionate embrace. Sex is treated with an ease that's endearing and desire is delved into matter-of-factly.
From Sugandha and her mom talking about Ali Baba and his journey to the cave or Sugandha’s dad threatening to call off the marriage if the fiancé falls short of his aim, there are many rib-tickling moments to arouse our interest.
Set in Delhi, Ayushmann and Bhumi both ace the simple, "one of the many in a crowd" vibe to perfection. It conjures up the familiar universe of Bareilly ki Barfi and Bhumi's latest Toilet Ek Prem Katha, but tackling the birds and the bees with some smart writing, lubricated by the brilliant performance of an ensemble cast, make it a very special watch.
Seema Pahwa and Neeraj Sood playing Bhumi's on-screen parents are never less than astonishingly convincing. Hitesh Kewalya's crisp writing deserves all the credit for churning out one euphemism after another and pun-ing his way to ecstasy.
Probably the only weak spot in the whole act is that it climaxes too soon and too abruptly. For a film in which each note has a real ring, the ending seems posy and fake. But for its refreshing take on love, sex and dhokha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan deserves a must-dekho.
It is nothing short of an orgasmic delight.
4 Quints out of 5!
(#TalkingStalking: Have you ever been stalked? Share your experience with The Quint and inspire others to shatter the silence surrounding stalking. Send your stories to editor@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)