Khoobsurat 2014 (Movie Review)

Dir: Sashanka Ghosh
Starring: Sonam Kapoor, Fawad Afzal Khan
Dur: 2 hrs 5 mins
Genre: Rom-Com
Rating: 3/5
PG: A few lip-locks.

This film is made in collaboration with Disney and so that already raises in one certain expectations and also if I may add, a hint of the outcome. This is a very modern fairytale, told in the language of the time, using the means available at the present moment, involving characters who are modern in every sense of the word but an ending like all the fairytales of old – Happy Ever After.

Mili or rather, Dr Mili Chakravarty (Sonam Kapoor), is a well-known physiotherapist. She is called upon to treat a ‘king’ in Rajasthan. Life in the royal household is nothing like she is used to. Born and brought up in the Punjabi culture, where expression is given importance, Mili finds the formalities of royalty suffocating. Her extraversion and enthusiasm embarrass and knock over nearly everything considered dignified. She doesn’t seem to fit in but is too hard-headed to quit. She prods on with a persistence that makes change inevitable.

The drama of the story lies in the coupling of Mili and the prince, Vikram Singh Rathore (Afzal Khan). Vikram is engaged to a beautiful princess and is on the verge of marriage, when Mili gets his heart in a jumble. He struggles to make a choice as he has never before been in a dilemma. Their romance is marked with a damsel-in-distress rescued by a knight-in-shining-armour scene. The two exchange more thoughts than words and the thoughts are spoken out loud in the typical Disney style.


The film is tinged with humour. The actors are well-chosen and deliver the goods. The plot is a bit jaded but the film is still worth the watch for the performances. Sonam is spellbinding. Afzal impeccably portrays royalty. Kirron Kher (Mili’s mother, Manju) adds colour and life to the drama. Lovers of romance will enjoy this movie.     

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