Badhaai Do
2022 · Directed by Harshavardhan Kulkarni
Original language: Hindi
- comedy
- drama
The story
A gay cop and a lesbian teacher enter a sham marriage to pacify their families but find that relationships — both real and fake — aren't all that easy.
What it’s like
Bright, colourful daylight and busy small-town streets in North India, with wedding-season clutter of marigold garlands, dhol drumbeats and saturated saris and kurtas, give this comedy-drama a warm, lively surface. The camera stays close and conversational in family rooms and police offices, and the music leans on upbeat Hindi pop that shifts into softer tones for quieter moments. The vibe is breezy and affectionate, with awkward, flustered humour that turns tender as two people who've been pressured into a pretence start to see each other clearly, and as their families' expectations press harder. It moves at a brisk, sitcom-like clip, with lighter scenes giving way to a more reflective middle stretch. The intensity is gentle: there is no real violence, the sexual content is limited to innuendo and suggestive jokes, and the homophobia shows up in pointed remarks and social pressure rather than cruelty on screen. It suits a relaxed weekend evening, a feel-good watch with friends, or anyone who wants a funny, warm story about queer people finding their own footing amid family noise, without heavy drama or graphic content.
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