Behen Hogi Teri review – Rajkummar Rao shines in this decent entertainer

Over the past decade or so, mainstream Hindi cinema has regularly ventured into the Hindi heartland through romantic comedies or comic dramas. Though these films are meant for today’s audiences, they have this unmissable desi-ness in them. Some of the best examples are Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Fukrey (2013), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017). 

Director Ajay Pannalal makes his debut with the same genre with Behen Hogi Teri. The film might not be as impressive as some of the ones mentioned earlier, but it has enough meat to let you savour it once.

Behen Hogi Teri takes place in a locality in Lucknow. Shiv aka Gattu (Rajkummar Rao) has been in love with his neighbour Binny (Shruti Haasan) ever since he was a child. But the big problem in his life is the Indian practice of considering youngsters of the locality as your brothers or sisters. Time and again, Gattu is addressed as Binny’s brother, which makes him cringe. During the festival of Raksha Bandhan, he and a few friends always flee from the locality in the wee hours of the morning, lest the girls tie rakhis on them.

But there comes a time when it becomes too much for Gattu and he expresses his love to Binny. However, her strict elder brother Jaidev (Ninad Kamat), who also considers Gattu Binny’s brother, fixes her marriage with rich NRI, Rahul (Gautam Gulati). The fact that Gattu is unemployed makes his task more difficult. Will the young lovers be blessed with a happy ending? 

Some insensitivity at the start relating to the death of Binny’s grandmother comes as a rather unpleasant surprise. Gattu uses the tragic incident as an opportunity to come closer to Binny. In fact, there is a romantic song while the funeral procession is on. This makes you wonder what to expect in the next two hours.

Thankfully, the rest of the film is quite sensible and light-hearted, which makes you forget the start. The entire film has real conversations among real folk. The humour quotient is present throughout and this, along with a fast-paced screenplay, keeps you entertained. 

Many a time, films of this genre become bland or drag after the interval. It is a relief that it doesn’t happen here as there is proper story development even after the interval. But the problem is the last 35 minutes or so, when the proceedings get complicated with a gangland angle. The other area of concern is the not-so-convincing love story between Gattu and Binny.

It is a must for a romantic comedy to have one or two impressive songs. This is clearly lacking here. The recreation of the old ‘Jaanu Meri Jaan’ is a foot-tapping number but it comes only during the ending credits. The devotional song on Sherawali modelled on the popular ‘Kala Chashma’ is amusing though. 

The fun background score plays an important role in producing humour. Loud sounds are avoided even in dramatic situations, which is a relief. Cinematographer Viraj Singh has kept the camerawork simple as per the nature of the film. Using a hand-held camera in a scene where two characters are drunk was a fine idea.

With Trapped (2017), Rajkummar Rao proved himself a phenomenal actor. He reinforces that status here by carrying the film on his shoulders. The undercurrent of humour in his act deserves mention. Shruti Haasan isn’t great by any stretch of the imagination, but she does make her character believable. Herry Tangri, who plays Gattu’s best friend, is impressive. 

Ninad Kamat got noticed last year in Airlift and Jai Gangaajal. He continues to be impressive here. The film has fine supporting acts from Darshan Jariwala, Ranjeet and Gulshan Grover. 

Overall, the entertainment quotient in Behen Hogi Teri makes it a one-time watch.