The Great Indian Family Review: Vicky Kaushal starrer is preachy but entertains

With its stellar ensemble cast, gentle humour and its touching social message, The Great Indian Family would have made for a tempting prospect for family audiences over the weekend. The film talks about religious harmony but ends up being a risky prospect in the hands of director Vijay Krishna Acharya, popular for making action-driven star vehicles like Dhoom 3 and Thugs of Hindostan.

3 things you need to know

• The film makes impressive use of playful humour but gets a little mangled when it comes to treatment.
• After Sardar Udham, Vicky Kaushal proves that he can carry a film on his shoulders.
• The Great Indian Family deserves a watch for its message.

Hot Take

The Great Indian Family centers around Ved Vyas Tripathi aka Bhajan Kumar (Vicky Kaushal) who is famous in his town for his devotional music and lively performances. But what happens when his faith, which is at the core of his identity and existence, comes under question? Vijay Krishna Acharya attempts to address some very basic but essential socio-political questions in his latest film in a light-hearted manner.

Does The Great Indian Family live up to the hype?

The Great Indian Family has a good premise. One might even term it bold. However, despite its share of laugh-out-loud moments and gentle intentions, it never feels engaging enough to warrant a visit to the theatres. Yet, there is something touching about the film’s sincerity and the message of 'humanity first' that it tries to put across.

Playful humour

The Great Indian Family is playful in its treatment. Humour is one of the tools it uses effectively to get the point across. Vijay Krishna Acharya shows a great flair for absurdity. In one sequence, when two pandits are feuding, hard rock music serves as the background score. In another montage, there are huge snakes and ladder boards serving as the backdrop for photographs.

When a family is divided on a subject, they make a decision to vote on it, with the father figure proudly vouching for ‘democracy’ in their home - it’s a harmless device that fits well in the farcical nature of the film’s humour.

(The Great Indian Family is Manushi Chhillar's second film after Samrat Prithviraj | Image: X)
 
What also works for the film is the elaborate backstory they draw for Bhajan Kumar, which helps establish that religious bigotry is always a part of conditioning and imbibed gradually, and not an innate quality. In some of the most hilarious moments, Ved Vyas tries to eat and talk like an average Muslim - these moments are funny and tender as they convey his zeal to overcome his own prejudices and grow as a person.

The Great Indian Family makes extensive use of voiceover for narrating the protagonist's story. Initially, the use of this device feels excessive, but eventually, we realise it makes sense for a film that is so on the nose about its preachiness and its message.

 Vicky Kaushal does the heavy-lifting

Although the narrative essentially revolves around Vicky Kaushal’s character, there are plenty of moments where supporting characters take the spotlight. The good thing about him is how he is equally comfortable on the sidelines in these moments. And when he gets a moment to chew into the narrative, the Uri actor delivers.

(Vicky Kaushal plays Bhajan Kumar in The Greta Indian Family | Image: X)

One particular moment stands out when Ved Vyas suddenly bursts into tears after going off on a confused rant about his identity crisis. The way Vicky captures Ved’s naivety and disillusionment in his outburst is heart-wrenching to witness. There are a handful of such moments where he lends great emotional gravitas to his part.

Structure doesn’t match sincerity

The Great Indian Family has a scattered screenplay. The film focuses too much on its message, and too little on narrative fluidity. After a point, the scenes seem to be stacked together only because the filmmaker has a point to make.

When Ved learns the truth about his roots, it doesn’t hit the right note because the narrative never establishes him as an unwavering bigot in the first place. We have already seen a moment where he appears as someone open to change and worthy of redemption. What rings true is the denial on display by Ved’s family. However, by the end, the writers appear too lenient and forgiving of the family’s defensive behaviour, especially of the Chacha ji (played by Manoj Pahwa) who accuses his nephew Ved of "showing his true bloodline" when the latter calls out the family over their casual bigotry.

(The Great Indian Family released on September 22 | Image: X)

The stakes in The Great Indian Family never feel too big or life-altering for effect. Additionally, it’s disappointing to see that despite assembling a good ensemble, no character gets a trajectory of their own. A narrative template like this needed more emphasis on its supporting players’ journeys too, beyond the regular comic relief moments they offer.

 Watch it or skip it?

And yet, despite its flaws and imperfections, it’s hard to dismiss a film that equates the nation to a family. It acknowledges that all members of a home may differ in ways, but they still belong to the same place, which call their own. There is no doubt that The Great Indian Family has its heart in the right place.

Bottomline

The Great Indian Family deserves a watch for its attempt to say something politically relevant for these times.

Stars: 2.5/5