RRKPK review: Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh starrer is woke culture wrapped in gaudy gold

Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt return to the silver screen with their latest offering Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The family entertainer marks the leading duo's first release this year, particularly crucial for Singh after a slew of flops eclipsing 2022. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani manages, for the most part in the second half, to weave poignancy despite the glitz and glamour of the larger-than-life aesthetic it pitches itself on though it often feels like the latter takes over. 

3 things you need to know

• Alia Bhatt fails to make an impact as Rani Chatterjee. 
• The positive versus toxic masculinity debate is a major undercurrent in the film.
• The writing tends to rely too much on stereotypes and virtue signalling, often weakening otherwise impactful scenes.

Hot take

The first half of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is almost a stale rehashed slideshow of Bollywood tropes, too hurried and too quirky for its own good. The second half, however, almost manages to make up for the over-zealousness of the first by being all heart though the cliched addressing of a plethora of social issues is a major drawback.

Does Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani live up to the hype?

Sadly, no. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani was unfortunately marketed on everything that the first half of the film represents - stereotypes, overbearing visual aesthetics, (pseudo?) feminism and a spicy romance.

(Rocky Randhawa and Rani Chatterjee's characters are driven by stereotypes lacking individuality | Image: Twitter)

In reality, the true strength of the film lies in its vulnerability and complex yet subtle parallels, something that should have been spotlighted for the audience but currently stands tucked away.

Ranveer Singh blossoms, Alia Bhatt detracts

To begin with, Rocky Randhawa is a shallowly written character as is the rest of his family. Ranveer Singh, however, commits to the narrative trying to bring in as much warmth to the walking-talking Versace catalogue that Rocky is. Rani Chatterjee on the other hand, appears to be way too easy a role for Alia Bhatt, so much so that she seems unconvinced by it.

(Ranveer Singh's Rocky Randhawa is brash, but endearing | Image: Twitter)

The sarees, nose rings and kohl-lined eyes do much more in establishing the character than Alia ever does. Jaya Bachchan almost plays the evil twin to her K3G and Kal Ho Naa Ho counterparts. While the latter evokes a fond nostalgia, Bachchan as Dhanalakshmi Randhawa can only evoke a meme fest. Dharmendra is a sight for sore eyes in this regard, reflecting simplicity in his limited screen time. 

A caricature-heavy first half is saved by a sensitive second half

While the Randhawa family is underwritten, the Chatterjee clan is overwrought. Stereotypes of the worst kind reign heavy with not one character possessing any sense of individuality save for Tota Roy Choudhary who plays Chondon Chatterjee, father to Alia's Rani and an accomplished Kathak dancer. The way Rani is written paints her out to be a championing feminist but the trope falls flat on its face when the character itself is introduced, wrapped in objectification, many tone-deaf sermons on which are yet to come.

(Jaya Bachchan's Dhanalakshmi Randhawa is much like the film's primary antagonist | Image: Twitter)

Speaking of tone deaf, the unnecessary Black Lives Matter reference as part of a larger debate on colourism misses the point, simply for how unnecessary it was. Rocky casually mentions that drinking tea makes one darker, as dictated by his grandmother digs a deeper hole for itself by him referencing artists of colour to the tune of Drake, Kanye West, Beyonce and Rihanna to refute any accusations of racism. Luckily for the second half, vulnerability and emotions replace the overwhelming brashness that haunts the first half though the heavy social messaging ends up marring the merit. 

Positive masculinity is effectively addressed - so is wokeness 

A true highlight in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is Tota Roy Choudhary's dignified portrayal of a male Kathak dancer. The film wins big when it comes to drawing parallels. The nuanced and raw confrontation between Chondon and Rocky just when the former has been ridiculed at a Randhawa gathering for his professional identity, not just addresses all that is wrong with gendering professions but also accounts for the negative impact the cancel culture has on those truly trying to change as represented by Rocky.

(Dharmendra's Kamal Randhawa reflects innocence and simplicity in the film | Image: Twitter)

The Dola Re Dola reprisal featuring the two, is a standout sequence in the film, unlike the one-too-many reworked classic numbers that populate it. Dhanalakshmi and Rani represent another parallel of the independent working woman and the very different ways they prioritise themselves and their families. 

Easter eggs to look out for

Spoiler alert - the film opens with a nepo-fest, trying hard to recreate the magic of the celebrity-laden Deewangi Deewangi from Om Shanti Om (2007) but fails miserably. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) is referenced at the beginning of the film followed by a galaxy garden-themed proposal, a dead ringer for the iconic wedding scene from the Hollywood film.

(Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has several easter eggs to look out for | Image: Dharma Productions/YouTube)

Watch out for a very evident and exciting K3G callback - hint, it involves a funeral pyre as Dharmendra's Kanwal Randhawa is laid to rest. 

Watch it or skip it?

Everything that used to help a Bollywood-style family entertainer flourish in the past is slowly not only falling out of vogue but is also becoming a drawback. In this respect, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani manages to somewhat strike a balance, albeit a weak one. It taps into Bollywood bravado while also addressing it with the latter proving to often be overbearing. If you do not mind the bravado or ample tone deafness, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani can make for a one-time watch.

The Bottomline

Do not watch Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as an Alia Bhatt fan, unless you want to be disappointed. Ranveer Singh is brash but endearing. The loud aesthetic may be distracting but grows on the audience. The raucous social messaging lacks clarity given the self-contradicting tropes the film rides high on. 

(Rating 2.5/5)

(This review is co-authored by Mugdha Kapoor)