Review : The Great Indian Family : A good concept drowned in poor execution!

Since Independence, or maybe much before that, Hindu and Muslim communities have been at loggerheads. India is considered a secular country where everyone is equal irrespective of religion, caste, creed or faith. In many films it has been depicted that a Hindu character is treated with great respect and love by a Muslim character. Recently released film The Great Indian Family too conveys that through a protagonist who is a devout Hindu but actually a Muslim by birth.

Ved Vyas Tripathi aka Bhajan Kumar (Vicky Kaushal) follows his family’s tradition of conducting religious Pujas in Balrampur. His father Pandit Siyaram Tripathi
(Kumud Mishra) is a respected priest but Pandit Mishra (Yashpal Sharma) is a rival who is always trying to defame the Tripathis. Ved Vyas Tripathi is fondly called Bhajan Kumar aka Billu because of his soulful and melodious bhajans who is famous too. He meets Jaspreet (Manushi Chhillar) and falls in love at the first sight. She is a singer and a ‘Dada’ of the locality. Some misunderstandings culminate into Billu singing alongside Jassi at events. But a turning point comes when it’s revealed that a staunch Hindu boy is actually a Muslim by birth. Rest of the narration circles around that premise.

Though The Great Indian Family tries to show similarities between the two religions but the writing is not strong enough. A lot of topics related to Hindu Muslim faiths are discussed and clichéd dialogues on unity, humanity, etc. are unconvincing. The screenplay lacks modern ideas because an antagonist is shown using editing images to make Billu and in turn Tripathis, to look villainous. Demanding a DNA test too is childish. The film’s pace is a tad slow and predictability in the happenings do not grip viewer’s attention. Production values are high since it’s a YRF film and good music by Pritam too doesn’t help the film. Kanhaiya song is foot tapping.

Vijay Krishna Acharya, the direcor of Thugs of Hindusan, disappoints this time around too. He has dished out a half baked film. The good concept is marred by indifferent writing. A good performance by Vicky Kaushal doesn’t save the film. His efforts look sincere despite lesser depth in the character. Manushi Chillar has a limited screen time. She looks too cute to be passed off as a street smart ‘Dada’ of the mohalla. Kumud Mishra once again delivers a powerful performance and Manoj Pahwa too lends solid support.

The Great Indian Family despite having good concept gets drowned in poor execution.

**1/2

Keerti Kadam.