The Great Indian Family review: Comedy-drama misses the mark despite potential

The story revolves around a successful bhajan singer, who has his world turned upside down when it emerges that he was actually born into a different faith

• Pooja Chowdhry
• 06 October, 2023

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By: Pooja Chowdhry

WRITER and director Vijay Krishna Acharya is largely known for high-profile action entertainers like Dhoom 3 and his last film, the disastrous Thugs Of Hindostan. That is why it was strange to see him helm this comedy-drama, which was released in cinemas recently.

The story revolves around a successful bhajan singer, who falls in love with a beautiful woman and then has his world turned upside down when it emerges that he was actually born into a different faith. The idea of a devout Hindu having others question him because of a religion he was once born into had the potential to be an interesting comedy about communal harmony.

Unfortunately, a badly written screenplay, with some questionable messaging lets down the idea. Unlike the 2010 British film The Infidel, which revolved around a devout Muslim, who discovers he was born into a Jewish family, this doesn’t really have any cleverness in the narrative. This film also has an idea that has been done before in flop Bollywood film Dharam Sankat Mein. Instead of injecting new life into the story troupe done before, the writer/director seems like he is filling time with unnecessary scenes.

With the protagonist being a professional singer, this musical has shockingly bad songs, which drag the film down further. Although Vicky Kaushal tries his best, he just doesn’t have what it takes to carry a movie. Former Miss World Manushi Chhillar has great screen presence but is largely wasted and doesn’t get an opportunity to shine.

What could have been a great examination of Indian society at a time of deep religious divide, The Great Indian Family is a fractured mess and not able to rise above the mediocre. It is also a sign that Vijay Krishna Acharya should perhaps stick to writing and directing action films.