Bad Newz (2024) - "When Parenthood Gets Twice as Complicated"

Directed by: Anand Tiwari
Written by: Ishita Moitra, Tarun Dudeja
Produced by: Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra, Anand Tiwari
Starring: Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, Ammy Virk
Cinematography: Debojeet Ray
Edited by: Shan Mohammed
Music by: Rochak Kohli, Vishal Mishra, DJ Chetas-Lijo George, Prem-Hardeep, Karan Aujla, Abhijeet Srivastava
Score: Amar Mohile
Production companies: Dharma Productions, Leo Media Collective, Amazon Prime
Distributed by: AA Films
Release date: 19 July 2024
Running time: 140 minutes
Country: India
Language: Hindi

Plot:

A young woman, Saloni Bagga (Triptii Dimri), gets pregnant after having one-night stands with two different men, Akhil Chadha (Vicky Kaushal) and Gurbir Pannu (Ammy Virk). All hell breaks loose when Saloni is informed by her doctor that she is pregnant with twins from two different fathers, a rare case of heteropaternal superfecundation. This leads to comic one-upmanship between Akhil and Gurbir as they both try to win her back.

Performances:

• Vicky Kaushal (Akhil Chadha): Vicky Kaushal delivers a standout performance, proving once again his versatility. He carries the film with his charm and adeptness in both comedic and emotional scenes.
• Triptii Dimri (Saloni Bagga): Triptii Dimri's performance is decent, but there is room for improvement, especially in comedy scenes where she appears stiff. Her emotional scenes are better, but overall, her role could have been more compelling.
• Ammy Virk (Gurbir Pannu): Ammy Virk does a good job but is overshadowed by Vicky Kaushal's performance. His character feels secondary, which might be intentional, but it limits his impact.

Technicians:

• Direction: Anand Tiwari introduces an intriguing concept but struggles with execution. The film's pacing is uneven, with a slow and somewhat boring first half. The second half picks up slightly but still drags in places.
• Cinematography: Debojeet Ray's work is solid, capturing the comedic and emotional tones of the film effectively.
• Editing: Shan Mohammed's editing could have been tighter, particularly in the first half, to maintain audience engagement.
• Music: The soundtrack is catchy, with "Tauba Tauba" standing out. The background score by Amar Mohile complements the film well, especially in emotional scenes.

Strengths:

• Vicky Kaushal's Performance: Vicky Kaushal is the film's biggest asset, delivering a performance that is both charming and emotionally resonant.
• Concept: The unique concept of heteropaternal superfecundation adds an interesting twist to the typical Bollywood comedy-drama.

Weaknesses:

• Pacing: The first half is slow and lacks engagement, making it difficult for viewers to stay invested.
• Character Development: The bond between Vicky and Triptii's characters lacks depth, making their eventual reconciliation feel unconvincing. Ammy Virk's character could have been more fleshed out to create a more compelling dynamic.
• Climax: The climax feels forced and predictable, lacking the emotional payoff needed to make the film truly memorable.

My Personal Take:

"Bad Newz" kicks off with a fascinating and unique premise that promises an engaging storyline. However, despite this strong starting point, the film struggles to maintain its momentum and ultimately falters in its execution.

The concept, while unique, might be uncomfortable for some viewers. The film attempts to address this discomfort with humor and charm, primarily through Vicky Kaushal's performance. However, it sometimes fails to balance the comedic and serious tones, leading to an uneven viewing experience.

Overall, "Bad Newz" has its moments of charm and humor, primarily thanks to Vicky Kaushal's standout performance. However, the film's pacing issues, lack of character development, and predictable climax prevent it from reaching its full potential. The unique concept is a fresh addition to Bollywood comedy-dramas, but the execution doesn't quite do it justice. While it's worth watching for Kaushal's performance, the film as a whole feels like a missed opportunity and ultimately lands as a one-time watch

Rating: 2/5