At a time when films are more and more relevant and true-to-life, it’s not surprising that few makers are trying to incorporate the recession setting in their narrative. 2 ½ years back, Desi Boyz too tackled this burning issue but abandoned it mid-way. Bewakoofiyaan however has recession, layoffs etc as the focus from start to finish. It’s nothing extraordinary but it’s light, breezy and executed and performed very well. Surely worth a watch!

The story of the movie: The film is set in Delhi-NCR. Mohit Chadda (Ayushmann Khurrana) works in AirConnect as a Senior Executive and earns fairly well. His girlfriend, Mayera (Sonam Kapoor) earns more than him but this never leads to any problem between the two. Being in love since 2 years, they decide to finally get married. Mohit is thus introduced to Mayera’s father, retired IAS officer V K Sehgal (Rishi Kapoor). Mr Sehgal is completely against Mohit and the fact that Mayera is ready to marry a person who earns less than her. Mohit tries his best to impress his to-be-father-in-law when calamity strikes. Mohit is kicked out of his job. While the tension of paying house rent, car and credit card EMI looms over Mohit, what scares him the most is how will Mr Sehgal react once he learns that Mohit is jobless?



Bewakoofiyaan has a wonderful first half. It’s urbane, cool, cute, funny and deftly handled by director Nupur Asthana. The best thing about her direction is that she doesn’t let the film to go on and on needlessly. Nor she makes it too quick. The film is 119 minutes long and it is the ideal length. The turning point in the film – Mohit losing his job – comes at an interesting juncture and is presented in an unconventional manner as well. The intermission point is superb.

The film loses its sheen in the second half and at a point, one does wonder as to where the film is heading. Also, the fights between the couple might seem too trivial. But then, haven’t we seen lovelorn couple fighting for the most ridiculous reasons? Also, it goes well with the title of the film as well! Two things also that came to the rescue at this point are – one, the plot progresses organically and hence, the tension between the couple gradually increases. Hence, it doesn’t seem too sudden or fake. Secondly, the character of V K Sehgal is given enough footage, as much as Mohit and Mayera. And this was great and also novel. Notice how in Bewakoofiyaan title song, the focus is not just on the couple but also on Mr Sehgal! In fact, one tends to empathize the most with the veteran! The climax, though filmy, does work.

The principle actors put their best foot forward. Ayushmann Khurrana proves that Vicky Donor was no fluke and once again gives a bravura performance! The manner in which he brings alive his frustrations and also the romance would surely be noticed and loved! Sonam Kapoor is fine and gets nuances of her character right. Watch out for her in the interval point! Rishi Kapoor is undoubtedly the best thing in the film! It reminded me of his performance in Luck By Chance, where he gave the most touching performance. A similar thing occurs in Bewakoofiyaan as well as he delivers an adorable performance. Kudos! Gurpal Singh (Gurusharan Singh) lends able support. Pradip Hada (Immy) is strictly okay. Several of his scenes failed to seem convincing, especially when his character begs Mohit not to leave. Rahul Rajkhowa (waiter in coffee shop), Divya Phadnis (Manju), Swedha Singh (Radha), T S Siddhu (Nawab Master) were good in their small roles.



Raghu Dixit’s music is fine but 2 songs – Gulcharrey and Khamakhaan – are needlessly added in the narrative. The title song works big time. Hitesh Sonik’s background score is upbeat and gels very well with the narrative. Mukund Gupta’s sets are apt. Habib Faisal as always is excellent as writer. Story is contemporary and the manner in which it’s shown from the perspective of ‘work-hard-party-harder’ corporate couple as well as old fashioned bureaucratic ex-IAS officer is a great idea. Screenplay is also fine but surely could have been better, especially in the second half. And Faisal’s dialogues are one of the strengths of the film! Few of the ‘takiya kalaams’ are used repeatedly and yet it’s all done nicely and maker doesn’t go overboard with it (especially when compared to Gunday’s ‘tevar’ and ‘angootha lagwa le’!). Finally, Nupur Asthana’s direction is breezy. She could have done a better job in the second half as the ‘bewakoofi’ bit needed to be much more convincing. Hence, the conflict between the couple doesn’t look believable completely. Yet, the execution is watertight and hence, one doesn’t mind, thankfully.

Some of the best scenes in the film:

The intro

The trio at Humayun’s Tomb

Mohit under the ‘probation’

Mohit loses his job

Mr Sehgal at Mohit’s office for the second time

The intermission point

Mohit-Mayera’s fight

The song ‘Bewakoofiyaan’

The last 15-20 minutes