Despite its initial sweetness and interest in character psychology, Sharan Sharma’s ‘Mr. & Mrs. Mahi’ is neither a convincing sports film nor an effective relationship drama
Mr And Mrs Mahi: It seems like Rajkummar Rao’s recent movie choices have been quite diverse, especially when it comes to cricket themes. In “Srikanth,” he portrayed a visually-impaired man who prioritizes education over cricket, while in “Mr. and Mrs. Mahi,” he plays a cricket enthusiast named Mahendra who is obsessed with the sport. Despite the contrast, both characters highlight different aspects of the relationship between individuals and cricket, one choosing education over the game, while the other sees cricket as his entire life, even when it doesn’t necessarily bring him success.
Sharan Sharma’s movie starts in Jaipur in 2017, where Mahendra is passionately playing cricket in local tournaments, hoping to make it to the state team. His dad, who owns a sports shop, gives him a choice: either succeed in his dream of playing for India or join the family business. Mahendra almost achieves his dream but falls short. As a result, he’s forced to give up on cricket and eventually marries Mahima, a kind-hearted doctor who admires his honesty. This is the second film in a row where Janhvi Kapoor’s character makes an imprudent marriage decision after “Bawaal” in 2023.
In the first half-hour of “Mr. and Mrs. Mahi,” directed by Sharma, there’s a genuine sweetness to the story. Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor portray the newly married couple with humor as they navigate their new life together. They bond over their shared nickname, “Mahi,” and discover a mutual love for cricket. They even start wearing matching jerseys to games, showing their unity. The song “Agar Ho Tum” adds to the atmosphere, and Mahendra, despite his usual dissatisfaction, appears happy for once in his ordinary life.
The mood of the film changes dramatically as Mahendra discovers that his wife, Mahima, is actually talented at cricket but gave it up for medicine due to her father’s wishes. Mahendra, driven by his own desires for success, becomes controlling and manipulative, pushing Mahima to pursue cricket again. He coaches her to join the state women’s team, but when her success isn’t attributed to him on TV, he becomes rude and resentful towards Mahima.
Mr. & Mrs. Mahi (Hindi)
“Mr. and Mrs. Mahi” struggles to stand out because it feels like a mishmash of ideas borrowed from other films. It’s hard to ignore the familiarity of certain scenes, visuals, and even the soundtrack. For example, they use “Dekhha Tenu” from “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” which feels like a typical move for a Dharma production. Mahendra’s character, with his overachieving older brother named Sikandar and his small-town sports shop, echoes themes seen in other movies like “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar” and “Kai Po Che!” Not to mention the similarities with “Bawaal.” Overall, the film lacks originality and feels like a recycled version of many other stories.
Mr. and Mrs. Mahi is currently in theatres