Karan Johar is currently producing films at a breakneck pace, almost like a factory. It feels as if he has a contract with OTT platforms to deliver a set number of films every year. This focus on quantity seems to be impacting quality. Directors like Shashank Khaitan, and actors such as Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, have become regular collaborators for him.
The team of Shashank Khaitan and Varun Dhawan has previously delivered hits like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017). However, their latest venture, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, falls flat. Though billed as a romantic comedy, it fails to deliver on both romance and humour.
The plot is clichéd and unconvincing. Sunny (Varun Dhawan) is heartbroken when Ananya (Sanya Malhotra) decides to marry Vikram (Rohit Saraf). Meanwhile, Vikram wants to leave Tulsi (Janhvi Kapoor) and marry Ananya. Sunny and Tulsi attend their exes’ weddings to stop them and win them back — but the setup makes little sense. The film never explains why Vikram and Ananya allow them in their wedding, weakening the story’s credibility. Comedy sequences also fall flat.
The film opens with a poorly executed “Baahubali”-style scene involving Varun Dhawan that sets a bad tone. The romance between Sunny and Tulsi feels forced, and the characters’ emotional connections never come through convincingly.
Varun Dhawan brings his usual energy but delivers a repetitive performance. Janhvi Kapoor’s acting is average, while Sanya Malhotra is miscast. Rohit Saraf needs improvement in his craft, though Manish Paul adds a few laughs.
Despite a big budget and elaborate sets, the weak script and lacklustre direction overshadow the visuals. A few songs stand out with good picturisation, but they are not enough to rescue the film.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari fails to deliver meaningful romance, humour, or emotional engagement. It is a forgettable film that lacks the charm of earlier Khaitan-Dhawan collaborations. This one is best skipped.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (2025)
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Lyrics: Sonu Nigam, Tanishk Bagchi, Jairaj, Kausar Munir, Guru Randhawa, Ronnie Anjali Gill, Manoj Muntashir
Music: APS, Tanishk Bagchi, Guru Randhawa, Ronnie Anjali Gill, Sachet-Parampara
