In a striking scene from the movie “Mr & Mrs Mahi,” Rajkummar Rao’s character is described by his former coach as an “average cricketer, whose biggest flaw was his timing.” Unfortunately, this sentiment poignantly encapsulates the broader essence of Mr & Mrs Mahi, a cinematic venture that hovers in the realm of mediocrity, missing its mark far too often and far too late.
The film, categorized as a sports romance, is directed by Sharan Sharma, who previously garnered acclaim with “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl” in 2020. Featuring Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles, the storyline focuses on Mahendra (Rao) and Mahima (Kapoor), united not just by their pet names but by a mutual love for cricket. Mahima’s childhood dreams of cricket get sidelined as she matures into a doctor, whereas Mahendra, unable to realize his cricketing ambitions, ends up managing his father’s cricket gear shop. Mahima’s re-entry into Mahendra’s life rekindles his latent love for cricket, presenting an opportunity for redemption and a new role as a coach.
Mahendra, struck by Mahima’s prowess on the cricket field, believes she is destined to be a cricketer under his mentorship. Life, however, peppers their path with numerous challenges, testing the couple’s resolve and relationship. Screening at a gracious runtime, the film unfurls its narrative monotony, ultimately leaving much to be desired despite its earnest intentions.
The screenplay, penned by Sharma and Nikhil Mehrotra, alongside uninspired direction, allows the film’s ambitions to falter. Despite its thematic loftiness, Mr & Mrs Mahi barely manages to elevate itself beyond a sincere attempt. The central premise of prioritizing intrinsic happiness over external validation feels joyless from start to finish, ensnaring itself within the protagonists’ gloom rather than facilitating their emancipation.
A film centered around cricket should ideally exude energy and dynamism, but Mr & Mrs Mahi is devoid of both. This lack of vibrancy extends to the performances, writing, and cinematography. Rajkummar Rao, typically reliable and endearing, appears to be stifled by the film’s pervasive dullness, culminating in a performance that is, regrettably, forgettable.
. On the other hand, Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal of Mahima lacks the vigor needed to break through the film’s overall lethargy. Her role as a submissive woman who discovers her dreams only through her husband’s guidance feels repetitive and uninspired.
Kapoor’s previous roles in “Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl,” “Good Luck Jerry” (2022), “Mili” (2022), and “Bawaal” (2023), showcased her physicality to portray vulnerability effectively. Her emotive eyes, trembling lips, and seemingly delicate appearance acted as deceptive tools to underscore hidden strengths. However, in Mr & Mrs Mahi, these attributes feel like compensatory crutches for an underwhelmingly written character, contributing minimally to driving the story forward.
The chemistry between Rao and Kapoor, while endearing, falls short of creating a compelling reason for the audience to root for them. This shortfall largely stems from the script, which establishes a fleshed-out backstory, conflict, and resolution primarily for Rao’s character, Mahendra, leaving Kapoor’s Mahima as a mere conduit, sidelined with little significance beyond executing cricket shots.
Director Sharan Sharma, who offered a confident debut with “Gunjan Saxena,” loses his footing here, struggling to command either the romance, that barely flickers during a montage song, or the cricket sequences, which come across as dull and perfunctory. Scenes that drag on longer than necessary and lack of vigor underscore the underlying lethargy that permeates the film.
Moreover, the film’s exploration of emotional conflict between the couple is conspicuously shallow. The script scratches the surface of their dynamics but never delves deep enough to create a satisfying emotional arc, leaving core relational tensions unresolved.
In conclusion, Mr & Mrs Mahi thrives neither in its portrayal of cricket nor its romantic narrative, leaving viewers indifferent rather than inspired. The film, much like its protagonist according to his former coach, is an “average cricketer, whose biggest flaw was his timing.” Aptly, Mr & Mrs Mahi is an average film that fails to deliver, arriving too slow and far too late to make a meaningful impact.
