Cinema reflects society. Now on that basis, cinema can be divided into two categories. First is one that appropriately reflects the reality of society, almost like a journalist, and the latter is one that pretends to reflect reality but instead pushes stereotypes
14 phere is sadly from the latter lot. This Devanshu Singh directorial tries to showcase the grave problems of the sick casteist society we are a part of and the trouble that looms on couples trying to make it against this system but falters in its treatment because the problems it tries to portray are suppressed by comedy.
Sanjay (Vikrant Massey) and Aditi (Kriti Kharbanda) are colleagues in a live-in relationship, who have to find a way to get married while escaping the wrath of their respective families who are staunchly against inter-caste marriages & won’t hesitate indulging in violence to thwart such alliances. What ensues is nothing short of a madcap plan. A plan which will be close to impossible to pull off in the real world. And that is what, in my opinion, brings down the film. Everything is too plush, too smooth, too choreographed unlike real life.
With fake baaraatis and fake parents, played by Jameel Khan and Gauahar Khan, Sanjay and Aditi almost succeed at keeping their respective parents in a make-believe world but the film isn’t able to do so with its viewers as it gets tiresome and to top it off at one point you know how it’s going end anyway.
With a below par supporting cast and average performances by the leads, particularly Kriti Kharbanda, it’s not a movie one would go out of their way to recommend to anyone as a “must watch”. But maybe that’s what it’s supposed to be – a typical one-time watch film that doesn’t require your brain or your heart to exercise much use.Â
14 Phere is now streaming on Zee5.
