SHAADI MEIN ZAROOR AANA's first half has issues but you let it pass as the goings on has genuinely some nice moments. The manner in which Sattu and Aarti fall for each other is cute. The entire dowry portion is well thought of. The dramatic sequence when Aarti runs away is dragging but makes for a decent watch. The second half also begins well but soon enough, the film goes downhill. One fails to understand how exactly do the makers want to present Sattu? Should the viewers sympathize with him for all the wrongdoings? Or should they hate him for the villainous and even lecherous way with which he tortures Aarti? The entire bribery investigation sequence ends on a dramatic note and one expects the film to end there. But the film drags for another 20-25 minutes. This portion is again needlessly lengthened and is highly predictable.
Kamal Pandey's story is interesting but comes too late in the day. Maybe it is not intentionally done but the first half is very similar to the first hour of BADRINATH KI DULHANIA and the last 20 minutes are eerily similar to BAREILLY KI BARFI, which also starred Rajkummar Rao. Kamal Pandey's screenplay is fine at few places but overall it's quite a letdown. Kamal Pandey's dialogues are simple and decent.
Ratnaa Sinha's direction doesn't make the desired impact. The film is unconvincing and silly at many points. Many scenes go on and on despite the fact that it's clear what the maker wants to show in the beginning of the said scene itself.
Rajkummar Rao as always delivers a great performance. As the lover boy Sattu, he's endearing and as the ruthless DM, he's dashing and plays both the avatars brilliantly. Kriti Kharbanda does a much better job here than her previous Hindi releases. However her character keeps crying in the second half and after a point, it becomes too much. Govind Namdev (Aarti's father) is fair. Vipin Sharma (Sattu's maternal uncle) leaves a mark. Manoj Pahwa (Aarti's uncle Jogi) is the best out of the supporting cast. Nayani Dixit comes next and dominates the pre interval portion. K K Raina (Sattu's father Jugal Kishore Mishra) underplays his part nicely. Navni Parihar (Aarti's mother) and the actors playing Aarti's brother, Sattu's mother, Sharad, Aarti's junior and Pramod are fine. Songs are disappointing. 'Jogi' and 'Main Hoon Saath Tere' are forgettable. 'Tu Banja Gali Benaras Ki' is the best song of the lot. 'Pallo Latke' is played in the end credits. Prasad Sashte's background score is dramatic and tries to enhance the impact.
Suresh Beesaveni's cinematography is satisfactory. Ballu Saluja's editing is one of the biggest culprits. Pradip Singh and Arup Adhikari's art direction is nothing great.
On the whole, SHAADI MEIN ZAROOR AANA rests on an interesting idea but the treatment is lacklustre. With lack of buzz, the film will have a tough time at the box office.
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