Mr and Mrs Mahi Review: The story centers on Mahendra (Rajkummar Rao) and Mahima (Janhvi Kapoor), also known as Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, who share a deep love for cricket.
Sports films in Bollywood have predominantly relied on familiar tropes that elicit enthusiastic applause when the protagonist triumphs against all odds. Most, from ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Chak De! India’ to the recent ‘Maidaan,’ have showcased underdog stories.
A notable exception is ‘Chhichhore,’ starring Sushant Singh Rajput, which did not conform to the typical ‘happy ending’ narrative. Sharan Sharma’s ‘Mr and Mrs Mahi’ follows the same well-trodden path.
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The film struggles with inconsistent pacing and a predictable storyline that fails to generate curiosity. The saving grace is the chemistry between leads Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor, which salvages the film to some extent. However, beyond their performances, little else stands out to make a lasting impression. For a cricket-based sports film, ‘Mr and Mrs Mahi’ lacks adrenaline, and its pacing issues exacerbate its shortcomings.
Plot Overview
The story centers on Mahendra (Rajkummar Rao) and Mahima (Janhvi Kapoor), also known as Mr. and Mrs. Mahi, who share a deep love for cricket. On their wedding night, they are engrossed in an India-Australia match. MBBS topper Mahima abandons her hospital job to pursue her childhood dream of hitting the red ball out of the park. Mahendra, a failed cricketer, rekindles his passion by coaching his wife and honing her skills.
However, set in Rajasthan, India, the story explores the cultural dynamics where men struggle with their wives’ success. This sense of insecurity and betrayal forces the couple to confront their shortcomings, serving up a drama high on emotion but lacking in execution.
Losing the Plot
Director Sharan Sharma, along with co-writer Nikhil Mehrotra, crafted a script with a relatable premise—questioning career choices and revisiting childhood dreams. However, what worked on paper didn’t translate well on screen. The film devolves into a melodramatic family saga with numerous characters complaining about various issues. Many scenes involve Mahendra and Mahima giving or receiving pep talks, but the lack of tension makes these moments fall flat. The dialogues and scenes are largely unremarkable.
One notable sequence involves Mahendra and his father Hardayal Aggarwal (Kumud Mishra) at their sports shop. When asked why Mahendra’s picture isn’t on their wall of fame, Hardayal retorts: “Jo jeevan mein chakke lagate hain, wahi yahan nazar aate hain.” This scene offers depth and subtle insights into parenting and the impact of suppressing childhood dreams.
The film also touches on the undervalued role of cricket coaches, highlighted when Mahendra’s coach Benny Dayal Shukla (Rajesh Sharma) offers him a job, only to be dismissed with, “Coach ko poochta hi kaun hai.”
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Performances
Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor deliver strong performances that keep the audience invested. Rajkummar, coming off a brilliant performance in ‘Srikanth,’ showcases his range with vulnerability, strength, and frustration.
Janhvi, who trained for two years, impresses with her cricket shots, although her portrayal lacks depth. Her scenes with Rajkummar provide some of the film’s best moments, thanks to their refreshing chemistry. However, the film’s fleeting romance mirrors its overall impact—it dissipates quickly.
Conclusion
‘Mr and Mrs Mahi‘ is a one-time watch, buoyed by earnest performances but hindered by a lackluster script and absent wow moments. It’s an ambitious sports film that aims to make a statement but ultimately misses the mark. A title placing ‘Mrs’ before ‘Mr’ might have better celebrated women’s cricket.