The city of Kashi, where every aspect of life is a testament to the presence of Mahadev. From the greetings to the way of life, and even death, everything is a reflection of the divine. It’s against this backdrop that director Karan Sharma sets his film, “Bhool Chuk Maaf”. However, this is not immediately apparent from the movie’s promotions, which give little indication that the story revolves around two Brahmin families from Uttar Pradesh.
The film’s narrative is centered around a young man who promises to perform a good deed in exchange for a boon from Lord Shiva. He gets stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over, just a day before his wedding. This concept is reminiscent of movies like “Naked” and “Groundhog Day”, where the protagonist is trapped in a never-ending cycle.
Rajkumar Rao plays the lead role in the film, and it’s apparent that he’s been forced into the character. The dialogue often feels unnatural, with words like “bakraiti” being used inappropriately. It’s clear that the director, Karan Sharma, has not spent enough time in Kashi to understand the local nuances and language.
The female lead, Wamiqa Gabbi, tries to come across as a strong and independent woman but fails to impress. Her character is more of a caricature, with her attempts at being a “gabru jawan” falling flat. The supporting cast, including Seema Pahwa, Jharkir Hussain, and Raghuvir Yadav, are underutilized and don’t get enough screen time to make an impact.
The story had the potential to be a powerful commentary on the struggles of young people in India, particularly in the context of government jobs and corruption. However, it falls short due to poor writing and direction. The film’s cinematography, handled by Sudip Chatterjee, is also disappointing, with the city of Kashi being reduced to mere drone shots.
The music, composed by Tanishk Bagchi, is forgettable, and the background score by Ketan Sodha is more impressive. The film’s editor, Manish Pradhan, does a good job of keeping the runtime to just two hours, but that’s not enough to save the movie from its overall lackluster performance.
In conclusion, “Bhool Chuk Maaf” is a missed opportunity that fails to deliver on its promising premise. It’s a film that would have been better suited for an OTT release, where viewers could watch it in parts, rather than being forced to sit through its entirety in a theater.