Meethe Mein Kya Hai Review: A Grounded, Pleasant Joint Family Saga

Meethe Mein Kya Hai Review

BOTTOM LINE
A Grounded, Pleasant Joint Family Saga

PLATFORM
Netflix

RUNTIME
2 Hrs.

What Is the Show About?

During a four-day Diwali reunion in Lucknow, Jai (Ritwik Bhowmik), a young widower, returns home as his mother tries to arrange a second marriage for him. When his sister unexpectedly reveals her own marriage plans, the household erupts into chaos. Amid festive preparations and simmering conflicts, the family tries to rise above its differences.

Performances

The film is largely steered by Ritwik Bhowmik and Rohini Hattangadi. While the former delivers a confident yet understated act, the latter lends the film its groundedness effortlessly. The ensemble is solid, with a delightfully hammy Ayesha Raza ably supported by Gaurav Sharma, Abhay Kaul, Tarana Raja, Dalai and Vikram Bakshi, among others.

Analysis

Making a simple, feel-good family saga feels like an act of resistance these days. While it is unfortunate that several such films in Hindi end up as web films or shows on OTT, it is a relief that audiences still get a chance to heal from all the theatrical chaos. In that sense, Radhika Bansal’s Meethe Mein Kya Hai is cathartic and a welcome respite.

Telugu cinema has long had a tradition of joint family dramas, where cousins and relatives across generations reunite for a festival, with the proceedings peppered with romance, colourful dance numbers, humour and sermons, though such films have become less frequent in recent years. Apart from rare exceptions, Hindi cinema abandoned the genre in the 2000s. It is only natural that YouTube and OTT platforms are now trying to fill that void.

At a time when urban ennui is the buzzword, Meethe Mein Kya Hai comes from a place of nostalgia. It is Diwali, that time of the year when you forget the chaos in your life and head to an ancestral home packed with a dozen relatives. Good, bad or annoying, you have to tolerate them all. Privacy is out of the question, emotions run high, and yet, by the end of it, everything feels worth it.

The film centres on a brooding protagonist still coming to terms with his wife’s death. He is almost ready to pack his bags for Georgia, until a panicked call from his sister about her impromptu marriage makes him change his plans. Anchored by the grandmother’s presence, the extended family gathers under one roof and goes bonkers over a startling revelation.

The director creates enough hooks for the family to bond. There are husbands trying to surprise their wives over a bet. The widowed protagonist is asked to meet prospective matches and is also introduced to another man, who has recently lost his partner, for some advice. Later, he accompanies his younger cousin to a classmate’s house at midnight to rehearse for a play.

There are social dos where everyone is forced to be on their best behaviour, only to feel exhausted by the end of it. A son-in-law has had one too many gummies and nearly creates a scene. Everyone is not magically on the same page. They have their disagreements, and yet, nothing gets overly dramatic. There is nothing that a conversation over a good meal and a couple of drinks cannot solve.

Yes, Meethe Mein Kya Hai plays safe with the genre. While the storytelling feels contemporary, there is no attempt at subversion. Not all characters are etched with equal care, and the film does not really challenge the gender dynamics within the household.

There is a rebellious spark in the way a female character decides to marry a single father of a school-going girl, making the choice entirely on her own terms and without announcing it beforehand. The film, to its credit, does not exaggerate the act. It is equally impressive that it does not romanticise equations between cousins. A refreshing conversation between two such characters drives the point home neatly.

Towards the climax, there are promises of meeting again, with the family even planning to shift to the ancestral house permanently by next year. We all know where that will end up, but the warm, fuzzy feeling is unmatched.

Meethe Mein Kya Hai is a light, grounded festive watch, simple, relatable, funny and an instant source of nostalgia.

Music and Other Departments?

The score, minimalistic and comprising a few songs, is breezy and easy on the ears. The cinematography and production design lend the film a touch of class. The writing consciously avoids anything high-pitched or overly dramatic, though some portions leave you wanting more. The compact two-hour runtime ensures the film never gets too sugary for comfort.

Highlights?

Simple, relatable story

Classy execution

Good performances

Drawbacks?

Slow to find its rhythm

Takes a few convenient creative liberties for the genre

Did I Enjoy It?

Mostly, yes.

Will You Recommend It?

If warm, frothy family dramas are your cup of tea, give it a chance.

Meethe Mein Kya Hai Netflix Hindi Movie Reviewed by M9 News