Mr. & Mrs. Mahi Review: The story of 'Mr. and Mrs. Mahi' revolves around a young man who has known only defeat in his life. Even in cricket, the game he loved the most, he faces failure. Unlike the usual narrative where a parent lives their dream through their child, this film portrays a husband striving to fulfill his dreams through his wife. While the film has no direct connection to the cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, it delivers a heartfelt story.
Story
Set in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the film revolves around Mahendra (Rajkummar Rao), a man who has lost his spark in life. He finds solace in cricket, a sport he once excelled at but gave up due to his father's disapproval. Mahendra's life takes an unexpected turn when he marries Mahima (Janhvi Kapoor), a doctor with a hidden passion for cricket. Driven by his obsession to prove himself, Mahender focuses on transforming Mahima into a cricketer. This obsession strains their relationship. Mahima, on her part, struggles as she loses her job as a doctor and faces immense pressure to become a cricketer. Whether Mahima succeeds in becoming a cricketer and whether Mahender overcomes his obsession is what keeps the audience engaged till the end.
How is the film
Despite powerful performances from the cast, the film feels a bit slow at times, tempting viewers to reach for their phones. There was an initial buzz that the film was somehow related to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, which is not the case, except for a brief appearance of Dhoni's photo. This isn’t a typical sports film; the narrative could have involved any other art or sport, such as singing or dancing. However, the producers, being cricket fans, chose to focus on cricket. The story is good, delivering a feel-good experience, and offers a unique perspective, making it worth watching in theaters.
Acting
The film stars Janhvi Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Zarina Wahab, Kumud Mishra, Rajesh Sharma, Arjit Taneja, and Dheerendra Gautam. Each actor delivers outstanding performances. Rajkummar Rao convincingly portrays a helpless son, an unsuccessful individual, and a failed cricketer, showcasing a hunger for fame. His chemistry with Janhvi Kapoor is remarkable, making their on-screen marriage believable. Whether in romantic or emotional scenes, they genuinely appear as a married couple supporting each other. Janhvi Kapoor shines again as a dedicated wife, playing a simple girl from an ordinary family who sacrifices her dreams for her loved ones. Her cricket-playing scenes demonstrate the effort she put into her two-year training. Kumud Mishra perfectly captures the role of a strict father from a typical family, eager to see his son succeed. Zarina Wahab, despite having just a few scenes and limited dialogues, makes a significant impact, especially towards the film's climax.
Direction
‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’ is director Sharan Sharma’s second film after debuting with ‘Gunjan Saxena,’ also under Dharma Productions. Janhvi Kapoor played the lead role in his debut film as well.
‘Mr. and Mrs. Mahi’ is a touching film with a good storyline and strong performances, making it a worthy watch.