Mr and Mrs Mahi Movie Review: Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s Film Struggles to Balance Expectations
31.05.2024: Mr and Mrs Mahi is a film that aims to blend romance, comedy, and India’s beloved sport, cricket, all within the framework of a family entertainer. Directed by Sharan Sharma, who previously worked with Janhvi Kapoor in Gunjan Saxena, this movie reunites the duo in a narrative that showcases both promise and pitfalls.
From the outset, the film introduces us to Mahendra (Rajkummar Rao), a man yearning to escape the monotony of his father’s sports shop by pursuing a professional cricket career. However, the movie truly finds its rhythm when Mahima (Janhvi Kapoor) enters the picture. Both characters are stuck in unfulfilling roles—Mahendra in the family business and Mahima with an uninspiring hospital job despite her MBBS degree.
Their mutual love for cricket becomes the film’s central theme, creating an intriguing dynamic. The plot starts strong, delivering a series of entertaining moments as it navigates through the couple’s shared passion for the sport. However, as the story progresses, it encounters tonal inconsistencies. The film tries to cater to various audience expectations, leading to a lack of focus.
Kapoor’s Mahima is a character who finds joy in smashing cricket balls into the stands, even prioritizing a cricket match over her wedding night. Rao’s Mahendra, characterized by his honesty, discovers a soulmate in Mahima and a new purpose: nurturing her raw talent to help her play for the country, fulfilling a dream he couldn’t achieve himself.
Despite a promising start, the film falters in the second half. The narrative introduces male ego and jealousy, creating predictable conflicts that lead to an even more predictable climax. This part of the film feels unnecessarily prolonged, diluting the impact of the initial setup.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its cast. Rajkummar Rao excels in portraying a relatable, ordinary man with no extraordinary abilities. Janhvi Kapoor, fresh off her performances in Gunjan Saxena and Goodluck Jerry, effectively brings her character to life, showcasing both comedic and dramatic skills.
However, Mr and Mrs Mahi ultimately struggles with its identity. It tries to be a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of cricket while adhering to traditional family movie tropes. The film raises the question of whether the audience is ready for a narrative where the hero supports the heroine’s rise to the limelight. This underlying confusion prevents the movie from fully hitting its mark.
Mr and Mrs Mahi features a strong supporting cast, including Kumud Mishra, Rajesh Sharma, Zarina Wahab, Purnendu Bhattacharya, and Arijit Taneja, who add depth to the story.