PremiumVicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video review: Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri's film is a mishmash of 90s parody and unnecessary gags
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video is a throwback to 90s comedy, but it delivers diminishing returns with outdated humour and missed opportunities.
Last Updated: 09.35 AM, Oct 11, 2024
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video story:
The theft of a newlywed couple's personal video CD threatens not only their love but also their reputation. In the story, we follow their wild and crazy quest to get the CD back, during which they face a lot of obstacles they didn't see coming.
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video review:
Before heading out for the press screening of Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, I got a chance to revisit Stree 2, which is streaming on Prime Video. Imagine observing a parody of the movie on a large screen just a few months after its debut and believing it would be amusing. What was everyone thinking? Indeed, the ostensible comedy film momentarily shifted into a horror genre, a move so unnecessary that it left me questioning the filmmakers' desperation to craft a film that appeared entertaining in every manner possible.
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video takes place in 1997, during a period of significant technological advancements in the country. CD players and mobile phones were only becoming accessible to a select few who could afford them. During that period, we witness Vicky, a Mehendi artist, and Vidya, a doctor by profession (who, for once, does not appear in her clinic or lab coat), deceive their family into marrying them due to their incompatible statuses. Vidya's parents, a miser (Rakesh Bedi) and a paan masala-chewing woman (Archana Puran Singh), are on one side. Tiku Talsania plays Vicky's grandfather, while Mallika Sherawat plays his elder sister Chanda, who shares the same name as the househelp.
Vicky and Vidya quickly deceive their families by travelling to Goa for their honeymoon, leading them to believe they are on their way to Vaishno Devi. Meanwhile, they decide to record their consummation using a video camera and burn it onto a CD, allowing them to revisit it and maintain the dynamism of their marriage.
However, a theft in the house results in the loss of their CD player, television set, and other valuable items, putting Vicky in jeopardy, as he is the only one aware that the CD has also been stolen. The journey to find the CD begins, leading to a complex discussion about invasion of privacy, among other issues. However, it's important to note that the inclusion of numerous supporting characters leads the film into a game of cat and mouse, reminiscent of Priyadarshan's comedic films of that era.
Why does the film, set in the 1990s but made in 2024, exhibit regressiveness to match the era's tone? Raaj Shaandilya's portrayal of fatphobic jokes, thin-shaming, and the extreme stereotyping of South Indians through specific background music is completely unfunny.
I am unfamiliar with the filmmaker's work, as I haven't watched the Dream Girl franchise. This was uncharted territory for me, and I didn't experience any positive outcomes. To be honest, I found myself laughing at numerous instances of the effect-driven jokes. However, it was merely a continuous gag reel, similar to what we see on Hindi comedy shows such as Comedy Circus or Kapil Sharma's shows, where you find it funny at one moment, only to maintain a straight face in the next.
One of the hilarious sequences featured a dupe duo of Suneil Shetty, who not only act like the actor but also dress like him. This was definitely something new, as we rarely see a Suneil Shetty spoof on the screen.
Re-releases transport us to the era of popular comedy films, but combining them into one and spoofing them went against the original intent. The film had ample opportunity to address the grave error of a couple who failed to protect their property, leaving them in a precarious situation.
Regarding the characters, my primary complaint is that Mallika Sherawat did not get to fully utilise her potential. The one who is not a bad performer definitely missed the opportunity to showcase her talent, apart from flaunting her look with the thinest sarees and a nosering hanging till her lips. Although the plotline portrays her as an aggressive woman who despises marriages, there could have been numerous more forward-thinking lines written for her, which could have enhanced the story.
Oh, I so miss Mallika from Welcome, whose character was written cleverly, and she made it smarter with her mere presence. Vijay Raaz, reminiscent of his Kauwa Biryani era, is an actor who effortlessly transitions from comedy to tragedy. The performer showcased his finest performance, a trait we've witnessed from him previously, and we found ourselves equally captivated.
Coming to lead actors, Rajkummar Rao, coming off fresh from Stree 2, definitely couldn't amp it up like his previous outing. However, you can rarely expect a negative performance from the actor, and he has proved it time and again. However, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video doesn't contribute significantly to his filmography, and regrettably, it joins the ranks of Hum Do Hamare Do, Shimla Mirchi, and Made in China, among others.
On the other hand, Triptii Dimri is nothing short of a goon in the film who is just there to blast under pressure. The actor tries hard to look adorable with her loud acting, but unfortunately, it doesn't work at all.
Shaandilyaa, in collaboration with Yusuf Ali Khan, Ishrat Khan, and Rajan Agarwal, penned the screenplay. However, once again, too many cooks spoilt the broth. Everyone must be those 1990s kids who thought, "Let me bring my favourite joke or moment and make it some kind of skit in the name of a film and make people laugh out loud; that's it." Only nearly half an hour of material, worth watching but completely scattered, makes up the 152-minute film.
The film portrays a love story through unmemorable songs, primarily to highlight the chemistry, which, while good, lacks sufficient exploration to determine if it was worth the effort. The film compels the naturally talented comedians, Bedi, Archana, and Talsania to perform vulgar comedy, leading to a crass and peculiar experience.
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video is a tribute to the 90s, a tribute that even David Dhawan paid to himself by directing his son Varun Dhawan in those remakes.
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video verdict:
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video spins a retro reel of 90s nostalgia but misses the mark in blending old-school charm with modern sensibilities. Despite some fun moments, it's a case of too many punchlines with too little payoff, making this throwback a throwaway.