The Great Indian Family (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – Ved Vyas Tripathi, aka Bhajan Kumar, is a devout Hindu man who faces an identity crisis and a personal dilemma when he discovers he is actually a Muslim by birth.

My Take – The trend of excellent messaging camouflaged in a small-town story continues with this latest YRF release, which sees writer-director Vijay Krishna Acharya return to the big screen, following the massive debacle of Thugs of Hindostan (2018), and navigate precarious terrains of religious identity through the lens of family drama, making amends of sorts.

As the name suggests, the fairly inoffensive, pleasantly entertaining dramedy primarily succeeds because of its realistic dialogues and the natural performance of a strong ensemble, all the while as it deals with the very sensitive topic of Hindu-Muslim relationship thoughtfully. Holding up a mirror to the society of their own prejudices and beliefs. Delivering a robust secular message that rings particularly true in today’s times.

Yes, it isn’t quite thrilling as one would have expected it to be and doesn’t take you by surprise, yet, there is enough charm and swagger in this bubbly concoction to keep you hooked throughout. Particularly as it skillfully balances elements of romance, spirituality, family dynamics, and societal conflicts within a single narrative.

For all its missteps, the film deserves to be commended for talking up the need for harmony at a time when segments of the Hindi cinema are conjuring profits from narratives that are dipped in venom and hatred.

Set in the small town of Balrampur, the story follows Ved Vyas Tripathi aka Billu aka Bhajan Kumar (Vicky Kaushal), the undisputed king of the devotional songs circuit of his community, with a fan following to die for. Belonging to a conservative Hindu family headed by his father Pandit Siya Ram Tripathi (Kumud Mishra), the go-to man for every major religious ceremony in town, Billu believes that his life is like is a game of snakes and ladders, and his family members are the poisonous ones snapping at his heels. He even meets and falls in love with a Sikh girl, Jasmeet (Manushi Chhillar), under bad circumstances.

However his life takes its worse turn when his father leaves for his annual pilgrimage, and the family receives a letter from a dead man divulges the truth of his birth – he was born Muslim. Driving a wedge between Billu and the rest of the family, particularly Billu’s uncle, Balak Ram Tripathi (Manoj Pahwa), who being in charge of the family in the absence of his elder brother, decides to keep the devotional singer out of the fold on fear of losing a lucrative contract. Although Billu has no clue why everybody thinks that he is no longer the person he was, it becomes absolutely clear that he has no option but to stand up and be counted.

Though the twist in the story line of Billu discovering he’s Muslim by birth while being a devout Hindu-was revealed in the trailer, making the film somewhat predictable, it’s the execution that truly counts. The film gracefully avoids any significant flaws, making it a delightful and thought-provoking cinematic experience. It effectively illustrates the incredible diversity within our nation, India, while underscoring the importance of unity and togetherness.

Through its exploration of the Hindu-Muslim narrative, the film skillfully weaves India’s diverse culture, managing to tackle this sensitive topic with a refreshing absence of excessive drama. It warmly immerses viewers in the world of Bhajan Kumar, who grapples with the complexities of his identity once the revelation about his religion comes to light.

Amidst all these layers, at its core, the film gracefully lives up to its title by subtly highlighting the enduring bonds that Indian families cherish, particularly in moments of adversity. All done without being dramatic and preachy. At 112 minutes, the film doesn’t look dragged or needlessly stretched but has its high and low moments.

Billu’s monologue is well-executed, it could have carried even more gravitas with stronger, resonant words that would deeply resonate with the audience. While the film’s overall tone leans towards being lighthearted, there are specific moments where a greater level of dramatic intensity is called for. The story needed way more depth and a better screenplay would have helped.

Performance wise, Vicky Kaushal emerges as the heart and soul of the film, shouldering the weight of this family comedy-drama effortlessly. The actor renders an authentic turn without hitting a single false note. He is wonderfully restrained, and effortless and delivers a mature and refined performance. Manushi Chillar has only a limited screen time, and she is decent.

However it is the supporting cast of Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Yashpal Sharma, Sadiya Siddiqui, Alka Amin, Srishti Dixit, Vedant Sinha, Bhuvan Arora, Aasif Khan, Ashutosh Ujjwal and Bharati Perwani who add value to the overall narrative. On the whole, ‘The Great Indian Family’ is a light-hearted and easy-going family entertainer that blends social conflict into the mix effectively.