Basic Info
Title: Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari
Release Year: 2025
Platform: Cinema
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Lead Cast: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama, Family
Runtime: 135 minutes (2h 15m)
Introduction/Context
Dharma Productions’ latest romantic comedy, “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari,” arrived in cinemas this Dussehra, promising a vibrant, star-studded affair. Directed by rom-com veteran Shashank Khaitan, the film aimed to deliver a festive entertainer, reuniting him with his “Dulhania” franchise star Varun Dhawan and introducing Janhvi Kapoor in a fresh pairing. While the trailers hinted at a colourful, high-energy drama set against the backdrop of a big fat Indian wedding, the actual viewing experience often felt like a series of missed opportunities, leaving much to be desired.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
The story revolves around Sunny Sanskari (Varun Dhawan), a charismatic but somewhat immature young man who is left heartbroken when his long-time girlfriend, Ananya Bhatia (Sanya Malhotra), rejects his marriage proposal, citing her career aspirations. Soon after, Sunny discovers Ananya is set to marry the affluent Vikram Singh (Rohit Saraf). Simultaneously, Vikram’s childhood sweetheart, Tulsi Kumari (Janhvi Kapoor), finds herself in a similar predicament, nursing a broken heart. In a rather convoluted turn of events, Sunny and Tulsi form an unlikely alliance with a singular goal: to sabotage Ananya and Vikram’s wedding and win back their respective ex-lovers. Their plan involves faking a passionate public romance to make their ex-flames jealous, a scheme that inevitably leads to hilarious confusions, deceptions, and the development of unexpected feelings.
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Performances & Characters
Varun Dhawan, as Sunny Sanskari, embodies the “extravagant, over-the-top, middle-class boy” role with his usual enthusiasm and charm. He tries earnestly to keep the “wafer-thin plot afloat”, delivering the film’s lighter moments with a certain ease. However, at times, his performance leans into familiar territory, feeling more like a rehash of previous roles than a fresh take. Janhvi Kapoor, as Tulsi Kumari, attempts to convey her character’s inner turmoil, transitioning from a heartbroken schoolteacher to a glamorous diva. While she shows glimpses of earnestness, her dialogue delivery sometimes feels like a “work in progress”, and the character itself isn’t fully fleshed out, making it hard to deeply connect.
Sanya Malhotra as Ananya and Rohit Saraf as Vikram are unfortunately “shockingly underwritten”. Despite being pivotal to the initial conflict, their characters lack significant depth or development, serving primarily as plot devices. Sanya, a talented actress, feels somewhat “miscast” in a role that doesn’t allow her to showcase her range. The chemistry between the leads, particularly Sunny and Tulsi, is present but doesn’t quite sparkle with the intensity or authenticity needed to elevate the predictable narrative. Maniesh Paul, as the eccentric wedding planner Kuku, adds some much-needed comedic relief, but even his efforts can’t entirely compensate for the lack of substantial character arcs elsewhere.
Direction & Writing
Shashank Khaitan, known for his successful romantic comedies, returns to his comfort zone with “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.” While the film boasts a “glitzy, colourful” aesthetic, the direction often struggles to inject freshness into a rather formulaic storyline. The screenplay, co-written by Khaitan, relies heavily on a “standard wrong-guy-for-the-girl plus wrong-girl-for-the-guy concept”, which, while a decent premise, doesn’t evolve beyond predictable turns. Critics noted that the plot “never shows up”, with the narrative feeling “predictable, song-heavy and lacking in humour or depth.”
The dialogue, while aiming for breezy humor, occasionally falls flat or veers into “brain-rotting jokes”, preventing genuine emotional resonance. There are attempts to weave in themes of family values and gender equality, reminiscent of Khaitan’s earlier works, but these often feel superficial, without the nuanced storytelling required to make them truly impactful. The film takes a considerable amount of time to find its rhythm, and much of the first half feels monotonous.
Technical Aspects
Technically, “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” is a visual spectacle, as one would expect from a Dharma Productions film. The cinematography captures the grandeur of the “big, fat Indian wedding” with vibrant colours and lavish sets. The film’s musical score, featuring songs like “Bijuria” and “Panwadi,” is catchy and contributes to the festive mood, though some critics felt the film was “song-heavy”. However, despite the aesthetically pleasing visuals and energetic dance sequences, these elements sometimes feel like a distraction rather than an organic part of the storytelling. The editing, at times, seems restless, with certain scenes lacking consequence, leading to a “linkless piece of cinema.”
Themes & Messages
The film touches upon themes of self-respect in love, the pressures of societal expectations, and the complexities of finding one’s true partner amidst confusion. There are fleeting moments that hint at challenging patriarchal mindsets and the importance of a girl’s identity within marriage. However, these social commentaries are largely superficial, getting lost in the “sangeet-sagaai-shaadi template” and the broader comedic narrative. The underlying message of discovering love where it’s least expected is present, but it’s delivered without much depth or originality, making it hard for the audience to truly engage with the thematic elements.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Visuals and Music: The film is undeniably beautiful to look at, with opulent sets, colourful costumes, and peppy songs that create a festive atmosphere.
- Varun Dhawan’s Energy: Varun Dhawan brings his characteristic energy and comedic timing to the role, making Sunny an intermittently engaging character.
- Maniesh Paul’s Comic Relief: Maniesh Paul delivers some genuinely funny moments as the wedding planner.
Weaknesses:
- Predictable & Formulaic Plot: The story offers “nothing new to offer”, relying on overused rom-com tropes without fresh execution.
- Underwritten Characters: Beyond Sunny, most characters, including Tulsi, Ananya, and Vikram, lack depth and development, hindering emotional investment.
- Lack of Genuine Humour & Depth: Despite being a romantic comedy, it often falls short on consistent, sharp humour, resorting to “brain-rotting jokes” and lacking emotional resonance.
- Inconsistent Pacing: The film takes a long time to find its rhythm, with “stretched moments in the pre-climax” and a narrative that sometimes feels disconnected.
- Superficial Themes: Any attempts at social commentary or deeper themes feel tacked on and not fully explored.
Comparison/Context
“Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” often feels like a stylistic successor to Shashank Khaitan’s previous “Dulhania” films, “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania” and “Badrinath Ki Dulhania,” with its blend of romance, family drama, and wedding antics. However, it struggles to capture the fresh appeal and engaging narrative of those earlier successes. While those films managed to feel contemporary and relevant, “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” leans heavily on a familiar template, making it feel like “everything we’ve seen before, in multiple iterations”. Some elements, particularly the loud exchanges and attempts at breaking patriarchal norms, might draw comparisons to recent Dharma films like “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”, but without the same level of wit or impactful character journeys.
Audience Perspective
This film is primarily for audiences who enjoy visually opulent, lighthearted Bollywood romantic comedies and are looking for a straightforward, undemanding watch without expecting much in terms of narrative originality or deep character exploration. Fans of Varun Dhawan might find his performance enjoyable, and the festive setting makes it suitable for a casual family outing. However, those seeking a fresh, witty, or emotionally resonant rom-com might find themselves underwhelmed by its predictable plot and often superficial execution.
Final Verdict & Rating
“Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” arrives with all the ingredients for a quintessential Bollywood rom-com: big stars, grand sets, and lively music. However, despite its glossy exterior and Varun Dhawan’s earnest efforts, the film ultimately falls short of delivering a truly engaging or memorable experience. The predictable plot, underwritten characters, and a script that often sacrifices depth for spectacle prevent it from truly soaring. While there are flashes of entertainment, they are too few and far between to sustain the runtime. It’s a film that promises a lot of sparkle but delivers only a mild shimmer.
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
