Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 21, 2017)

After garnering several accolades for their turn in Dum Laga Ke Haisha, lead actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar are all set to return with another rom-com. Shubh Mangal Savdhan, which apparently follows a husband-wife duo, who find themselves coming to terms with the former's erectile dysfunction, has been directed by Prasanna, best-known for his Tamil comic caper, Kalyana Samayal Saadham.

Ask Ayushmann if the film is a remake of the Tamil release, and he says, "Let's not call it a remake. It is the rebirth of the same story but the milieu and humour is different. It's amended to suit Bollywood." His co-star Bhumi is also glad to be a part of a movie that broaches an uncomfortable topic. "There is no fun in doing a run-of-the-mill love story. If films have the ability to change orthodox mindsets, they why not encourage them. This is wacky. We play a couple who are deeply in love but there is a twist in the tale. Sex is still a taboo here but it's changing. After all, this is the land of Kamasutra."

The subject of erectile dysfunction revives memories of Ayshumann's 2012 outing Vicky Donor, which was inspired by the concept of sperm donation. The actor believes that such unconventional subjects have worked in his favour. "Moreover, I am glad to feature alongside Bhumi. My wife (Tahira Kashyap) saw one of our pictures from a photoshoot and said, 'It looks like you are hugging me and smiling.' We are buddies and our chemistry is effortless."

The Aanand L Rai production will be shot across Delhi and Haridwar. "We were always keen to work with Aanand. He makes commercially effective films which sell on the basis of content, and the sheer fact that there isn't one dull moment in the movie makes the process even better."