Despite a few mirthful moments 14 Phere, comes tumbling down in the climax

Nonika Singh

Path of true love never did run smooth. And in India where divides exist in the name of caste, class and more, fructification of a love story even in modern times is no less than an obstacle race.

The film 14 Phere hinges upon the tried and tested formula. Parents are the villains of the piece who talk about burying the daughter of the house, for she has eloped with her lover. Before you think this is yet another hard look at honour killings, relax. 14 Phere, though about ‘much in love’ couple Sanjay Lal Singh and Aditi Karwasra (Vikrant Massey and Kirti Kharbanda) across the caste barrier is essentially a light-hearted film. To deal with thorny issues actually recalcitrant parents who they know for sure will not agree to a love match, they manufacture a new set of parents. Not exactly a new concept, rather a formula that Hindi cinema has seen since time immemorial.

Surprisingly the fake parents, thanks to some sparkling acting by Jameel Khan and Gauahar Khan, manage to bring a smile to your face. Kriti mouthing some of the wisecracks looks effortless. As for Gauahar Khan, she may not exactly be ‘Meryl Streep of Delhi’ as her character keeps proclaiming in the film. But she is effective and her reel husband played By Jameel is pitch perfect. Vikrant Massey has proved himself in film after film and he does not disappoint here either.

For most part despite the not-so-new core, the narrative works as it tries to do a tightrope walk between modernity and tradition between frothiness and some serious concerns. But this aspect is both its strength and also its Achilles’ heel for while it brings some issues to the fore, it doesn’t quite do justice to it. No wonder the film, despite a few mirthful moments, comes tumbling down in the climax.

The first saat phere of the couple go on smoothly. As the bahu arrives in a traditional household, there is a heart-tugging scene between the bahu and saas (earnestYamini Das). But when it comes to the second round of marriage to appease the next set of parents, the director seems to be in a greater fix than the couple in question and doesn’t quite know how to wrap it up and the knot does come undone. He creates a farce to tackle the ticklish situation. Humour has indeed saved and salvaged many a narrative and can come in as handy escape to exit out of a perplexing moment. But things appear more farcical than amusing. Thus what could have been a frothy romantic tale peppered with some wonderful songs likes Hum Dono Yun Mile and Ram Sita (sung beautifully by Rekha Bhardwaj) with music by Rajeev V Bhalla and JAM8 ends up on a limp note.

Well begun might be half done. But in a film, the final impact/takeaway is what stays with you. Streaming on Zee5, alas 14 Phere doesn’t leave you with any lasting impression and is at best good while it lasts.