Review: Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shadi — Social Message Wrapped in Comedy!

In Indian society, second marriage is often viewed through a complex psychological lens shaped by tradition, family values, and social expectations. Many individuals hesitate due to the fear of social judgment, especially when children are involved. Emotional baggage from the first marriage—such as trust issues or unresolved trauma—also plays a significant role. Family approval remains crucial, with elders often heavily influencing such decisions. Women, in particular, face greater scrutiny and societal pressure when considering remarriage, especially in rural areas. The newly released film Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shadi plays with the idea of second marriage while delivering a meaningful social message wrapped in comedy.

Set in Benaras, Durlabh Prasad (Sanjay Mishra) leads a simple life with his son Murali (Vyom Yadav) and his late wife’s brother, Manchu (Shrikant Verma). Murali is in love with Mahak (Palak Lalwani), but her father strongly opposes their relationship. However, Mahak’s mother, grand mother, and other women in the family place an unusual condition for the marriage—the house must have at least one woman. This leads Murali and Manchu to pressure Durlabh into remarrying. Though reluctant at first, Durlabh eventually agrees.

In the midst of this, Durlabh crosses paths with Babita (Mahima Chaudhary), his foreign-returned ex-girlfriend. Her modern outlook and habits, including smoking, become a point of contention, and Babita’s family objects to her marrying Durlabh. Amidst all this confusion, Murali and Mahak’s marriage gets stalled. What unfolds next forms the crux of the story.

The story is engaging, and the screenplay is well written. Some dialogues are witty, while others reflect life’s philosophy. The director keeps the narrative simple yet interesting. The social message is well placed, and the small-town setting adds authenticity. Cinematography is impressive, and the music complements the narrative well, especially the title track.

#SanjayMishra is excellent, as always, delivering a nuanced performance with impeccable wit. Vyom Yadav shines with a confident screen presence, while #MahimaChaudhary, despite entering in the second half, leaves a strong impact with her expressive performance and elegance. Palak Lalwani looks graceful and portrays her role with ease. Supporting actors, including Navni Parihar, Shrikant Verma, and Pravin Singh Sisodia, provide solid support.

Overall, Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shadi is a reasonably entertaining film with a relevant social message and is certainly worth a one-time watch.

Rating: ***

By Keerti Kadam