Ghudchadi REVIEW: Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Parth Samthaan, Khushalii Kumar feed off each other's energy to deliver the perfect family affair

MUMBAI: Ghudchadi, directed by Binoy Gandhi and written by Deepak Kapur Bhardwaj stars Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Parth Samthaan, Khushalii Kumar, and  Aruna Irani. It's collectively produced by Nidhi Dutta, Binoy Gandhi, Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under their Keep Dreaming Pictures and T-Series banners.

There was a time when Hindi films about nothing but family were released in large doses, with larger doses of entertainment for all ages. With changing society dynamics over the last 10-15 years, this sub-genre of Bollywood has become all but a forgotten commodity. In this scenario, Ghudchadi, starring Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Parth Samthaan, Khushalii Kumar, and Aruna Irani dares to tread a forgotten path, and tread it does with emotions, joy, and joie de vivre.

The thing about attempting family stories in today's day and age is that it's a very tricky endeavour, where it's nigh impossible to abandon old-school values sana alienating elder viewers or just those whose beliefs are seeped in tradition, plus you don't want to look so archaic or plain regressive, thus distancing your modern audience. That Ghudchadi manages this fine balancing act is enough to iron out other problems with plotting and direction to an extent. Sure, Deepak Kapur Bhardwaj's script could've been crisper, and Binoy Gandhi's direction tighter, but the amalgamation of old-world charm clashing against and eventually being won over by contemporary ideals and that everlasting power called love is too good to not fall for.

Of course, Ghudchadi would've never touched your heart had it not been for Sanjay Dutt's inimitable swag being able to make the most mundane look magnificent, while his chemistry with the timeless Raveena Tandon looking like it picked off from where the left it in Aatish back in 1994. Add to that Parth Samthaan and Khushalii Kumar being their perfect younger foils, especially the latter in tearjerker moments, plus that old force called Aruna Irani, who can still sleepwalk through any role, and you have an enable cast that rises above the inconsistencies of its screenplay.

A word for Mitesh Soni's edits, ensuring nothing overstays its welcome, Yogesh Jani's camerawork capturing the modern Delhi plus Noida vibe to the T, the overall production design looking fairly fancy, and lastly, Sukhbir bringing in all his exuberance and enthusiasm to the Punjabi Munde track, which flows like an undercurrent right through the movie. If you've been missing out on a sweet, simple family affair for long in Hindi cinema, then be sure to catch T-Series' Ghudchadi, which has now dropped on JIO Cinema.

3/5 stars