Review of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’: Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s film faces challenges while attempting to cater to a wide audience

Mr and Mrs Mahi movie cast: Rajkummar Rao, Janhvi Kapoor, Kumud Mishra, Rajesh Sharma, Zarina Wahab, Purnendu Bhattacharya, Arijit Taneja
Mr and Mrs Mahi movie director: Sharan Sharma
Mr and Mrs Mahi movie rating: 2.5 stars

The director of ‘Gunjan Saxena’, Sharan Sharma, teams up with Janhvi Kapoor for ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’. Some feel the title would have been more fitting as ‘Mrs. and Mr. Mahi’, highlighting the female lead. This shift in the title reflects the ongoing challenges mainstream Bollywood faces in fully embracing feminist themes.

The story initially revolves around Mahendra (Rajkummar Rao) seeking to escape the monotony of working at his father’s sports shop by pursuing cricket professionally. However, the film truly comes alive with the introduction of Mahima (Janhvi Kapoor).

Both characters find themselves in unfulfilling situations but discover joy through cricket. This dynamic creates an intriguing storyline that starts confidently but later struggles with maintaining a consistent tone. Balancing the celebration of one Mahi without alienating fans of the other Mahi poses a challenge. By attempting to cater to diverse audiences, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’ falls short of hitting a home run.

Mahi, played by Kapoor, holds an MBBS degree approved by her father and works at a lackluster hospital job. Her true happiness lies in hitting that red ball into the stands. On her wedding night, she chooses to wake up early for an important India match rather than focusing on traditional customs.

On the other hand, Rao’s character, Mahi, struggles with being overly honest. He not only discovers a kindred spirit in his cricket-enthusiast wife but also finds a new purpose: nurturing her raw talent to play for the country, despite his own unfulfilled dreams.

Initially, everything falls into place as they sync with each other’s rhythms, with Rao excelling at portraying an ordinary man and Kapoor showcasing her versatility. However, conflicts arise due to male ego and jealousy, leading to a predictable rift and a prolonged second half.

The film blends elements of romantic comedy with India’s beloved sport, cricket, within the framework of a family-friendly movie. The narrative raises questions about which character the audience should support and challenges traditional hero roles. The ultimate question remains: are we ready for a hero who lets the heroine take center stage?

Cast of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’: Rajkummar Rao, Janhvi Kapoor