Kaushaljis vs Kaushal review: One Ashutosh Rana scene apart, this movie is a definite miss

1.5/5

Story:

Set in the everyday lives of an 'unhappily married Indian couple,' Kaushaljis vs Kaushal tries to delve deep into the question of whether what appears to be a toxic marriage is actually toxic or just communication gap.

Review:

If irony and with it Indian society had a face, it would be Kaushaljis vs Kaushal. It is complicated and sways very easily, making defeaningly loud noises in between. You might be able to survive one day, but living it everyday just gets you used to the toxicity. That is what the film tries to normalize - toxic household behaviour.

Seeming to keep up with the trend set through Sanya Kaushal's Mrs, Kaushaljis vs Kaushal commences with shots of a North Indian kitchen, co-inciding with some women going to work, and men, of course, being busy with music, alcohol and abusing women's powers in their own way. This time, Ashutosh Rana's Sahil demands privacy from his own wife. On the other hand, his son Yug (Pavail Gulati) enters in a club song with the female lead, Kiara (Isha Talwar). It's almost as if the movies are in a 'who's more toxic' competition and society is losing, miserably at that.

For no reason at all, transgenders are dragged into a presentation which is Ashish Chaudhary's debut scene in the film as Mr. Maurya. As an actor, even in his briefer appearances, he leaves a mark.

Soon after, Rana perfects the ever-cribbing middle-class man, Sahil. Deeksha Joshi's Reet has a limited appearance and there isn't much she can offer.

Sheeba Chaddha and Grusha Kapoor's introduction scene together is 'cool.' Of course, Chaddha's Sangeetha is the one suffering in the household, but there's a new perspective as well.

The female lead Kiara Meena Bansal (Isha Talwar) finally appears and tries to bring emotions to the fore with a blend of Asian societal thoughts, while being ironic.

'City boy' Yug's struggle while being back in village is perfected. Despite the struggles, the nostalgia hits hard. His reality-check scene is nice but very fast-paced and thus, ineffective.

The chemistry between the leads is missing. More music adding to the mix works against building what could have been sweet moments.

The problem with this movie is just as things appear to get better, it takes 10 steps back. Even if Rana's character Sahil is a musician, adding music to every scene is simply disappointing. His crazy moments and laugh in one particular scene though, as always, leaves you spellbound.

The divorce topic is finally here, and the conversation takes a funny turn given The Silent Generation's decision-making skills. The twists and turns in the film, nonetheless, are predictable. No matter how hard the makers try, they are unable to touch your heartstrings.

It is in the last 30 minutes that the makers try to bring back the magic but even that ends up being chaotic with unnecessary music. It's just a shift from black-and-white to colour.

Kaushaljis vs Kaushal works on emotions even in front of law. The scenes almost mock the law and all the rules that ever apply. The overdose of music gets to you by this point. The horror continues right up to the end, even if there is a happy ending.

Verdict:

Please avoid Kaushaljis vs Kaushal for the sake of your own sanity.