Too Many Side Effects!. Review on Shaadi Ke Side Effects

Shaadi ke side effects was one movie I waited for. The reasons, well many– the promos were promising, the cast chemistry looked apt and the wonderful memories of first part “Pyaar ke side effects”.

So, we booked our first day first show and were punctually seated for the virgin screening of Shaadi ke Side Effects.

Story: It is about a couple Mr and Mrs Roy, who are ‘actually happily married’ but since it is Ekta Kapoor Production as well, so an evil eye castes its evil shadow on them in the form of one and a half bottle of scotch! And voila…They are pregnant! They are not prepared – mentally, emotionally, financially (just like any other regular couple) and decide to discontinue the pregnancy. Just as Mrs. Roy goes in the OT, Mr Roy is visited by Lord Krishna in his chariot of four horses (of course in a disguise) and kicks some wisdom in his As*, so he rushes and saves the nanhi jaan.

The couple is blessed with a beautiful angel and the package. It changes their lives and brings disaster to their happily married life. Finally, the wise Mr. Roy sorts out everything and they both live happily ever after!

My Analysis

Mr and Mrs Siddharth Roy! – Wow! Vidya Balan is only married to him, on screen or off screen. So, if it is some other name she refuses to do the role.

First Half: Quite Entertaining, witty dialogues, practical situations, the chemistry looked good.I happily bought myself a coke and popcorn hoping to enjoy second half as well but I should have taken a box of tissue papers. Actually after watching second half, the memories of this well made first half have blurred!

A glimpse of Pyaar Ke Side Effects was shown, to remind the audience, but then the fear that the expectations of audience might shoot through the roof, is not mentioned anywhere else. Oh Rahul (Bose) I missed you so dearly!

Second Half: Do you ever have a weird feeling, like you have done something wrong with someone but you are not feeling guilt? Are you guilty of not feeling guilty! Then ding ding ding - you are at the right place. It offers you a wide range of guilty feelings.

Unattended child, unfulfilled dreams, forgotten parents,  firing a “maa jaisi” maid, going out with a neighbor, staying with your family, not staying with your family, meeting your friends, not meeting your friends, attending birthday parties, not attending birthday parties, adultery, not knowing about your child’s poop, not grabbing enough toys from the broken pinata, looking married, your haircut, your car – wow! You name it and this movie has it. So it can make your guilt come alive king size (you can carry a few tissue boxes).

The second half is so weird that I am yet to understand most of it. Escapism is highlighted, adultery is justified and a lady confesses “Ye tumhara bachcha nahi hai” and then backtracks “ye tumhara hi hai” and the dumb pati quickly accepts whatever she says (were they playing Dumb and Dumber?)!

I don't know if this movie is too influenced by the Western culture or Hollywood movies, but I am yet to believe that this happens here. I can understand the underlying ideas, which are very accurate but the execution – well audience is executed at point blank range!

The fun, wits are sucked out and a sullen depressing feeling creeps all over and you think more than once - na, marriage is not as bad as it is shown here.

Performances: Farhan Akhtar looks young and energetic and Vidya Balan definitely looks married. Beyond those two there are other people, but none has managed to stand out significantly. I can recall Ram Kapoor with different languages and justifying adultery perfectly. There is a mother, sister, neighbor, few friends and few cute kids but no one got much screen space.

The consolation prize are the songs of the movie, specially the item song “paape pyaar karke pachtaya” which makes you feel bit better before you leave the hall. The film can be crappy but the ending song should be foot tapping so that audience leave feeling good – this movie falls in this category!