Movie Review: Jabariya Jodi

Movie: ‘Jabariya Jodi’
Rating: 2/5
Director: Prashanth Singh
Cast:  Sidarth Malhotra, Parineeti Chopra, Javed Jaffery, Sanjay Mishra, Aparshakti Khurana and Neeraj Sood.

As the famous adage goes, “Two wrongs don’t make one right”. Jabariya Jodi revolves around the premise of dowry oppressed brides family having no option but to forcefully abduct the groom and getting them married to their daughter.Also known as Pakadwa Vivah or Jabariya Shaadi, a phenomenon still prevalent in parts of Western Bihar. The movie while focusing on these two rather sensitive topics fails to invoke emotions of disbelief, anger, grief or anything for that matter. Follow Spotlife Asia for latest Entertainment and Lifestyle news.

Abhay Singh and Babli Yaday essayed by Sid Malhotra and Parineeti , two youngsters in their early teens are separated just when their love is blooming. Parineeti and her family leave Madhopur their home town to live in Patna,Bihar.Many years later we witness a macho young adult Sid, feared by many in Madhopur courtesy his politician dad Hukun Singh played by Javed Jafferi. Sid helps his dad by abducting eligible bachelor grooms for forceful marriage. A job that many brides family trust Hukun Singh to do for a much lesser amount than how much the dowry demands would cost.
It was destiny or rather a cinema cliche that Parineeti returns with her family, back to their hometown and witnesses Sid live in action. At first sight realization blooms to both and love is back in the airs of Madhopur again.

While dealing with a sensitive and much relevant topic of present day western Bihar, the movie rather makes a mockery of both issues. The focus remains much on the two main characters with the issues taking a back seat. Thus resulting in the audience being confused on what exactly the film is trying to convey.

Troubled by below par acting from the two leading characters, the movie becomes painful to watch beyond a point. What differentiates a good movie from a below par one is the director and casts seriousness on staying true to the conditions of the story they are trying to depict. An inconsistent or rather caricaturish Bihari accent spoken by Parineeti and Sid, locations that don’t have us wondering if we are truly in Bihar, are few of the many flaws that don’t allow you to connect with the movie in its true sense.

The only saving grace in the movie is its talented support cast led by Javed Jafferi, Sanjay Mishra (Babli’s Father), Aparshakti Khurana (Santo – Babli’s Childhood friend), Neeraj Sood (Santo’s father).  They shine in all of the scenes presented to them and make this dull movie , watchable to an extent.

An interesting real life Phenomenon of Jabariya Shaddi (Forceful marriage) deserved a better movie than Jabariya Jodi. Sub Par performances by its lead cast and poor screenplay/direction will require audience to be Jabariya (forcefully)dragged to the theatre hall. A completely missable affair.