A private video that addresses a larger public concern – Beyond Bollywood

Triptii Dimri doesn’t let the average script affect her performance. After a decent first half, writer-director Raaj Shaandilyaa completely loses the plot.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ ( 2 / 5)

By Mayur Lookhar

Balloon, packet, raincoat, and protection are euphemisms often used to discreetly buy condoms in India. In the past, when porn wasn’t as easily accessible as it is today via a simple Google search, renting such content through video cassettes, CDs, and later DVDs required muttering the code word woh wala (that one). Now, there’s a film called Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video (2024). While the voyeur’s imagination might run wild, the worrying aspect for the traditional viewers is how the makers encourage watching it with family.

Walk into a press show, and you’re intrigued by the presence of a few children. Is this an attempt to reinforce the film’s family-viewing label? We hoped there wouldn’t be any content that could negatively influence the kids. Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video has already sparked controversy over alleged plagiarism and its lead actors making headlines for the wrong reasons. Exposing children to suggestive content would be disastrous. However, by the end of its 152 minutes, such concerns were unfounded, as Raaj Shaandilyaa’s film, despite revolving around a woh wala video, never crosses the line.

Vicky (Rajkummar Rao) is a mehndi artist in Rishikesh. The story takes place in 1997, when Rishikesh was still part of Uttar Pradesh. He’s secretly dating his childhood friend Vidya (Triptii Dimri). Vicky applies her mehndi at her engagement, but he has a plan to dramatically replace the dulha (groom). Later, the couple trick their families into going to Goa for their honeymoon. Inspired by the White tourists, Vicky convinces Vidya to film their intimate act. Upon returning to Rishikesh, a theft results in Vicky losing the woh wala video. If it goes public, it could be catastrophic.

Oh dear, why can’t Bollywood think beyond the belt? Besides, if Vicky is mocking foreigners for PDAs, isn’t it bizarre that he would emulate them by filming his own lovemaking act? Adding to this is the plagiarism row, with Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video being the third Shaandilyaa directorial to face such accusations. We were skeptical about how this would play out.

Have expectations, and it often leads to disappointment. Have none, and you may be pleasantly surprised. We were pleasantly surprised by the first half action, with the primary conflict leading to organic reactions and a comedy of errors. Though the story centers around a missing private video, Raaj Shaandilyaa doesn’t exploit it to create mindless or toilet humour.

Raised in the 80s and 90s, Raaj Shaandilyaa often reflects that milieu in his cinema. A personal conflict is heightened by goofy family members. Add some romantic tracks, an item number, bad guys blackmailing, summoning the protagonists to their lair, a crowd-driven melodrama in the climax, often with a message. Shaandilyaa’s films stage melodrama for the truth to emerge. As expected, though a personal video, the film addresses a larger public concern.

Despite a surprisingly engaging first half, one expected Shaandilyaa and his co-writer Yusuf Ali Khan to drop the ball later. The second half’s action and drama can only be described as a complete brain fade. Clearly, Shaandilyaa and Khan ran out of creative ideas, resorting to a needless spoof. Viewers caught a glimpse of this in the tacky trailer. A cringe-worthy second half spoils the earlier experience.

Shaandilyaa is fortunate to have talented actors at his disposal who try their best to salvage some pride. Rajkummar Rao hasn’t moved past his Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) tone and mannerisms, persisting with them in his subsequent comedies. However, it is more controlled here. While it may feel monotonous, Rao might argue that it’s working for him. But why does yet another small-town character played by Rao have to be named Vicky? Sadly, Rao’s best and intense roles in arthouse cinema, had no mass appeal.

In nearly 15 years of his career, we don’t recall Rao in too many conventional romantic roles. Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video allows him to romance in a 90s style, with hair like Shah Rukh Khan, grooving to 90s music, including a Kumar Sanu track playing in the background. There’s also an opportunity to jig with Daler Mehndi to the inconic Punjabi pop track Na Na Na Re. No way Rao could have turned this down, but it’s a challenge to pull off such caricatures at 40. He sports long hair, but the glow is missing from his face. Though Marvel comics have been popular for decades, we’re not sure if they reached Rishikesh in the 90s. So, Vicky mentioning Wakanda in 1997 does shock you. Rao tries hard, but this act reeks of monotony.

Triptii Dimri doesn’t let the average script get in the way of another fine performance. She has delivered impressive intense roles in Bulbbul (2020), Qala (2023), and now she needs films like Bad Newz (2024) and Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video to lighten up. Dimri achieves this without playing any cringe-worthy characters or relying on forced comedy. That ignominy belongs to Archana Puran Singh, who plays a paan-chewing mother to Vidya. Dimri has enhanced her screen presence over the last two years. Her gifted tone complements her acting prowess beautifully. A small-town story set in the 90s means there’s no needless skin show. We found Dimri more than competent as Vidya, but as a doctor, she seems to spend most of her time at home.

Veteran actor Tiku Talsania seldom disappoints. He plays the one-eyed dimwit grandfather to Vicky and Chanda (Mallika Sherawat). The family’s domestic help is also named Chanda, naturally done to create confusion. However, one can’t appreciate the lack of dignity shown to the poor maid. How Chanda continues to work in this household despite her unpaid dues amounting to Rs1,90,000 is simply not funny.

Vijay Raaz is becoming a familiar figure in Shaandilyaa’s films. He plays a cop again, but this one suffers from piles. Much to the chagrin of his subordinates, he has retired the chairs in his chowki. The cop is smitten by Chanda Rani (Mallika Sherawat), leading to Raaz enjoying a dream sequence with her. The poorly scripted character adds to Raaz’s woes. There’s little to say about Mallika Sherawat, as she seems content simply to have this film in her kitty.

Sachin-Jigar’s music reflects the 90s flavour, with Tum Jo Mile Ho having strong mass appeal. Then we have a recreation of Sunidhi Chauhan’s Sajna Ve Sajna track from Chameli (2004). Shehnaaz Gill adds the gloss, but the Sajna Ve Sajna recreation comes alive through White Noise Collective’s vibrant beats. Expectedly, Shilpa Rao and Sachet Tandon’s Mere Mehboob serves as a titillating promotional track to draw the audience to the theatres. Audiences will have to wait a little longer, as it is the second track in the end credits. 

At 152 minutes, this comedy feels stretched, particularly in its second half. Despite being a bad film, Dream 2 (2023) made over Rs 100 crores. So, who are we to say that Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video can’t go viral at the box office? The closing images promise a sequel. If it comes, we can only hope it is of better quality. But what did we say earlier? Have expectations and…

Watch the video review below.