Bad Newz, an entertaining film with an adult concept, could have achieved greater depth to truly match the spirit of its 2019 predecessor, Good Newz Bad Newz Movie Review: Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk’s Hilarious Pregnancy Saga Delivers Early but Still Triumphs!
Star Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Ammy Virk, Triptii Dimri, Sheeba Chaddha, Faisal Rashid, Neha Dhupia, Ananya Panday, Neha Sharma
Director: Anand Tiwari
(Photo Credit: Filmibeat)
What’s Good: The humor and the lead performances, even if the former is quite childish at many points
What’s Bad: The emotions seem superficial
Loo Break: Still, not really!
Watch or Not?: If you like an extended version of the series Four More Shots, Please, yes! Or if you are curious about how they have fashioned a sequel to Good Newwz made by the same banner.
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 140 Minutes
Saloni Bagga’s Culinary Dreams and Unexpected Romance
Saloni Bagga (Triptii Dimri) is a passionate chef working in a restaurant, dreaming of winning the prestigious Meraki trophy. However, her mother is more focused on finding a suitable match for her. At a party, Saloni meets Akhil Bagga (Vicky Kaushal), who owns a popular ‘Chaap’ restaurant. A whirlwind romance ensues, leading to a swift marriage, despite Saloni’s original ambitions.
Honeymoon Bliss and Marital Strife
Their sizzling honeymoon is soon overshadowed by Akhil’s constant interruptions from his mother (Sheeba Chaddha)’s calls, which he attributes to his nomophobia—a fear of being disconnected from his mobile phone—stemming from his father’s death. This behavior begins to irritate Saloni, but the real conflict arises when Akhil interferes in her professional life, culminating in an unpleasant incident at her workplace. Feeling overwhelmed and unsupported, Saloni decides to part ways with Akhil.
Career Setbacks and New Beginnings
Following their separation, Saloni’s emotional turmoil affects her performance, leading to her being fired by her boss after failing to win the Meraki trophy. Seeking a fresh start, she relocates to Mussoorie and secures a job as the head chef at a hotel owned by Gurbir Pannu (Ammy Virk). Despite her attempts to move on, she finds herself entangled in another romance.
A Surprising Twist
Saloni discovers through Instagram reels that Akhil has seemingly moved on after their divorce. Feeling a mix of anger and betrayal, she gets romantically involved with Gurbir and has a fling with him. However, on their anniversary, Akhil surprises her in Mussoorie, and Saloni ends up sleeping with him as well. Soon after, she finds out she is pregnant—with twins. In a rare medical phenomenon known as heteropaternal superfecundation, each twin has a different father. The story now takes an intriguing turn as Saloni navigates this unexpected twist in her life.
(Photo Credit: Youtube)
Bad News Movie Review: Script Analysis
Tarun Dudeja and Ishita Moitra’s script offers a fast-paced and entertaining experience, catering to audiences seeking light, vacuous entertainment. However, the challenge lies in developing a sequel to the 2019 film, where two couples with similar names had their IVF procedures mixed up. That original script was sensitively written with humor as a constant undercurrent, contributing to its great success.
Character Development and Humor
In Bad Newz, the parents of the three lead characters are treated perfunctorily, and the humor often feels forced and childish. The rivalry between Akhil and Gurbir as expectant fathers is more contrived than genuine. While the film admirably remains non-judgemental about Saloni and focuses on her psychological and emotional needs, it makes a forced attempt to whitewash the impulsive and immature Akhil. Consequently, Gurbir is largely sidelined, especially in the climax, despite his innocence in the situation. Notably, he is even absent from the end-credits song.
Comparisons to Classic Films
Fifty-one years ago, producer Karan Johar’s mentor, Yash Chopra, showcased a bold and unconventional ending in his film Daag, where the hero shares his life with two women, both justified in their involvement with him. In contrast, Bad Newz’s script opts for a safer, less daring climax.
Quality of Humor and Character Arcs
The humor in Bad Newz is inconsistent. Although both Akhil and Saloni are technically responsible for their predicament, Gurbir unfairly bears the brunt. Following the trope of 1990s films like Yeh Dillagi and Dillagi, a standby character conveniently waits for him in the end. This treatment undermines his character’s depth and involvement.
Biopic Premise
The film opens with the notion of a biopic being planned on Saloni, which is the most implausible premise. The medical condition of Heteropaternal Superfecundation is not exceptionally rare, and Saloni’s life is not particularly exemplary. Given the film’s emphasis on societal judgment, it is absurd that Saloni is ready to reveal all in her biopic.
Confused Narrative
Ultimately, the script tries to strike a balance between conservative and unorthodox approaches, resulting in a confused narrative that fails to deliver a cohesive story.
Bad News Movie Review: Star Performance
If Bad Newz is salvaged, it is due to the stellar performances of its three lead actors, who skillfully bring their characters to life. The banner, often criticized for nepotism, makes a notable exception by casting Triptii Dimri in her first major commercial role after her bold cameo in Animal. Dimri’s expressive eyes convey a wealth of emotions, and she commands her character with confidence despite the often confused nuances of her role. Even her generous skin show is handled tastefully, a credit to director Anand Tiwari.
Vicky Kaushal and Ammy Virk’s Stellar Performances
Vicky Kaushal shines as Akhil Chadha, expertly portraying the rakish, immature, and hyperactive character he has become known for, alongside his more sober roles. Kaushal’s performance is superb, bringing depth and energy to Akhil. Ammy Virk, as Gurbir, is earnest and funny when needed, fully embodying his character with sincerity and humor.
Supporting Cast and Character Depth
Neha Dhupia plays Saloni’s aunt adequately, though her character is underdeveloped. Sheeba Chaddha is competent as Akhil’s mother, adding a touch of authenticity to her role. Faisal Rashid portrays an overactive gynecologist, bringing a bit of comic relief. The actors playing Saloni’s parents, grandmother, and Gurbir’s father are relatively unknown but perform their roles adequately.
Director’s Touch
Director Anand Tiwari deserves commendation for his handling of the cast and the tasteful execution of potentially tricky scenes. His direction ensures that the performances remain the highlight of the film, even when the script falters.
(Photo Credit: Youtube)
Bad Newz Movie Review: Direction, Music
Anand Tiwari’s direction in the series Bandish Bandits was notably sensitive and deep, showcasing his ability to handle nuanced storytelling. However, despite strong performances, his work on Maja Ma was merely average. In Bad Newz, Tiwari adopts the Dharma Productions’ style, prioritizing entertainment over sensitivity and depth. However, he should have remembered that a true emotional depth was essential for a worthy sequel to a film that remains a gem from the production house.
The music in Bad Newz is largely defined by a re-creation of “Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam” from Duplicate, reflecting the current trend in film music. Notably, a group of Gen Z colleagues were seen dancing to the tune as they left the theater while it played during the end credits.
On a superficial level, Karan Aujla’s “Tauba Tauba” is catchy, but it lacks lasting impact, fading from memory just ten minutes after it ends. Additionally, the background score by Amar Mohile is overdone and intrusive, detracting from the overall experience.
(Photo Credit: YouTube)
Bad Newz Movie Review: The Last Word
Similar to Four More Shots, Please!, Bad News is a film best enjoyed for its humorous one-liners and amusing situations. The medical condition serves merely as a plot device, with its social implications largely overlooked, especially in the Indian context. It’s a film to watch, enjoy, and then walk out without much thought.
Bad News Trailer
Bad News released on 19th July, 2024.
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