Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari Review: A comedy about an arranged marriage that will try to light up your Diwali

Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Diljit Dosanjh, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Manoj Pahwa, Seema Pahwa, Annu Kapoor

Director: Abhishek Sharma

Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari is a determinedly old-fashioned comedy revolving around arranged marriage and disorder caused by love. Ace shamus Madhu Mangal Rane (Manoj Bajpayee) ensures that man’s wrong kind isn’t wedded to the right kind of woman. Among his targets is Suraj (Diljit Dosanjh), a not-too-bright but eager-to-marry gent who is caught unawares on the one day he decides to behave badly. 

Suraj wants revenge but changes his mind after meeting Madhu’s sister Tulsi (Fatima Sana Shaikh). Their romance leads to a bruising run-in with the controlling Madhu, who schemes to keep the couple apart.

The men largely determine this curious love triangle of sorts. Tulsi is squeezed between a chauvinist brother and a bumbling lover and seems largely resigned to her fate. Suraj is more well-meaning than Madhu, who would have been a villain in a different kind of movie.

The writing is brilliant, and the humor flows effortlessly. Be it the jokes about the family dairy business or Rane’s penchant for dressing up in all sorts of disguises to gather evidence against disreputable grooms. Interestingly, Rane’s one-sided business is going after only rogue bachelors due to his own tragic back story.

Surprisingly, for such a gifted actor, Bajpayee takes to hamming his way through most of the scenes, in contrast to Diljit’s natural act, which seems more spontaneous. But there’s no doubt these two ace their respective roles, and with a tight script that gives enough twists and turns, we are kept engaged. As Suraj’s parents stand out, Manoj Pahwa and Seema Pahwa stand out, as do Annu Kapoor as Rane’s assistant and Supriya Pilgaonkar as his long-suffering mum.

If it’s laughs you are looking out for then Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari is bound to give you a rollicking time at the cinemas.