Director: Shashank Khaitan
Rating:***
Short verdict: Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a glossy, feel-good Dharma rom-com that gets most of its mileage from star chemistry, catchy moments, and a director comfortable in this space - even when the screenplay forgets to pick a single lane. If you want festive popcorn entertainment with modern Bollywood fizz, this delivers; if you crave tight plotting or brave risks, you may leave slightly undernourished.
What it is (plot, makers & cast)
Directed and co-written by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Dharma Productions, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari stars Varun Dhawan (as Sunny), Janhvi Kapoor (as Tulsi), with Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf in pivotal supporting roles. The film is a 2025 Hindi-language romantic comedy built around exes, revenge plans, wedding sabotage and a surprise new romance that blossoms amid chaos. It released theatrically on 2 October 2025, timed for the Dussehra festive window.
Performances - who shines
Varun Dhawan plays to his strengths: buoyant energy, comic timing, and the physicality that powers big set-piece moments. He’s the engine that keeps even the slower scenes moving. Janhvi Kapoor holds her own as the titular Tulsi - charming and grounded when the script gives her room - and their on-screen chemistry is the film’s most dependable asset. Sanya Malhotra (notably transformed for the role) and Rohit Saraf provide the emotional texture and secondary laughs the narrative needs, rounding out an ensemble that’s game to sell the film’s rom-com beats. Critics agree the cast keeps the movie afloat even when the writing wobbles.
Direction, screenplay & pacing
Shashank Khaitan returns to familiar rom-com terrain - witty dialogue, colourful set pieces, and a taste for melodrama. That’s both the film’s advantage and its limitation. Khaitan stages entertaining sequences and understands how to extract charm from situations, but the screenplay sometimes piles subplots on subplots, causing tonal whiplash between heartfelt family moments and slapstick revenge antics. At roughly 135 minutes, the film feels a touch overstuffed; sharper editing would have amplified the emotional stakes without sacrificing the laughs.
Humour, heart & themes
The film markets itself as a modern-meets-traditional rom-com - the title itself is a wink at that conflict - and it often lands the joke. There are genuine warm moments about second chances and family, and the humour frequently stems from character, not just stunt-gags. However, when the plot leans into contrivance (predictable reveals, overused rom-com tropes), the emotional payoff drops. Still, for viewers seeking a comforting, escapist romance with the odd clever line, the film mostly delivers.
Music, visuals & production values
As expected from a Dharma film, the production values are high: glossy cinematography, sharp costumes, and colourful song sequences. The soundtrack mixes peppy numbers with situational melodies that bolster the film’s energy; choreography and set design suit the festive release strategy. Technical credits - from Manush Nandan’s cinematography to Manan Sagar’s editing - keep the look consistent even when the screenplay asks for variety.
Box office & audience
Opening expectations placed the film in the modest-to-solid bracket for the festive weekend, with early box-office estimates discussed in live coverage. Given its star cast and holiday release, the movie was positioned to perform well with family audiences and youth seeking light entertainment.
Final thoughts - who should watch it?
If you like mainstream Bollywood rom-coms with glossy production, charismatic leads, and feel-good beats, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is worth your ticket - especially for Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor’s chemistry and a few genuine laugh-out-loud scenes. If you prefer lean storytelling, experimental narratives, or risk-taking cinema, temper your expectations: the movie is entertaining but not transformative.
