Shashank Khaitan’s Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari brings back the charm of classic Bollywood romantic comedies with a fresh 2025 twist. Starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in leading roles, the film delivers laughter, emotion, and chaos in equal measure. It’s a light-hearted entertainer that reminds us why Bollywood’s family-friendly rom-coms still work — even in an era of edgy realism.
The movie blends the emotional beats of My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) and I Want You Back (2022), crafting a story that celebrates love, heartbreak, friendship, and second chances — all without making anyone the villain.
Critic’s Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)
Average User Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, Akshay Oberoi, Abhinav Sharma
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Plot Summary
Sunny Sanskari (Varun Dhawan) is the only son of a wealthy jeweller — good-hearted, slightly naïve, and hopelessly in love with Ananya (Sanya Malhotra). But while he dreams of forever, Ananya views their bond as a casual “situationship.” His heart shatters when he learns she’s getting married to Vikram (Rohit Saraf), a charming billionaire.
In a twist of fate, Sunny discovers that Vikram once ditched his long-term girlfriend Tulsi Kumari (Janhvi Kapoor), a simple and spirited schoolteacher. Teaming up with Tulsi, Sunny hatches a wild plan to crash the wedding and win their exes back. With his best friend Bantu (Abhinav Sharma) in tow, Sunny pretends to be Tulsi’s partner as they infiltrate the grand destination wedding in Rajasthan.
What follows is a rollercoaster of misunderstandings, hilarious escapades, and emotional revelations. Instead of a battle of exes, the film becomes a journey of rediscovery, where love takes on new meaning for everyone involved.
Performances
Varun Dhawan is back in his element, blending the goofy charm of Main Tera Hero with the emotional depth of Badrinath Ki Dulhania. His comic timing is impeccable, especially in scenes involving his disastrous poetry and jealous antics. Yet, he also shines in the film’s emotional moments, particularly in his confrontation with Sanya Malhotra.
Janhvi Kapoor delivers one of her most balanced performances to date. As Tulsi, she brings a mix of vulnerability, humor, and quiet strength. Her chemistry with Varun feels genuine, and her scenes with Sanya are refreshingly devoid of unnecessary catfights.
Sanya Malhotra adds depth to a tricky role, portraying Ananya’s internal conflict with expressive subtlety. Rohit Saraf impresses with his vulnerability and understated screen presence, especially in his final emotional arc. Maniesh Paul, as the eccentric wedding planner, provides some of the film’s biggest laughs.
Direction and Writing
Director Shashank Khaitan has crafted a film that sits comfortably between the worlds of Karan Johar and Sooraj Barjatya. The film has the grandeur and gloss of a Dharma production, combined with the innocence and emotional warmth of a Rajshri drama. In fact, Karan Johar’s cameo adds a delightful touch of meta-humor.
The writing cleverly avoids clichés. There’s no villain here — just flawed, confused people navigating love and expectations. The screenplay subtly explores themes like emotional maturity, modern dating, and the pressure on women to “adjust” in relationships.
The comedy sequences work brilliantly — especially the bhaang-fueled truth-telling scene and a laugh-out-loud mirror gag where Janhvi and Sanya compete to look slimmer. These bits are pure Bollywood fun, without feeling forced.
Music and Technical Aspects
The soundtrack, though overstuffed, serves its purpose in the narrative. The standout track is the recreation of Sonu Nigam’s 1998 hit Bijuria, remixed by Tanishk Bagchi with vibrant choreography. The other songs, while situational, don’t have much recall value.
Cinematography captures Rajasthan’s opulence beautifully — the palatial sets, colorful costumes, and festive energy all pop on screen. However, the film does falter slightly in editing, with a few abrupt transitions and lip-sync mismatches that distract from the flow.
Highlights
- Varun Dhawan’s effortless comic timing
- Janhvi Kapoor’s balanced and expressive performance
- Strong female character arcs without rivalry
- Engaging bromance between Varun and Rohit
- Memorable comedy set-pieces and emotional balance
Drawbacks
- Slightly stretched second half
- Overloaded soundtrack
- Missing depth in supporting cast (veterans like Pankaj Tripathi or Kumud Mishra could’ve added more weight)
- Occasional pacing dips due to loose editing
Verdict
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is not a groundbreaking rom-com — but it doesn’t need to be. What makes it work is its heart. It’s a story that laughs at love’s absurdities while embracing its sincerity. With its mix of humor, emotion, music, and moral without moralizing, this Shashank Khaitan film is perfect for those craving a wholesome Bollywood experience.
It’s a movie you can watch with your family, laugh at the chaos, and leave with a smile — a true crowd-pleaser that restores faith in feel-good cinema.
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Watch it for: Varun Dhawan’s energy, Janhvi Kapoor’s charm, Sanya Malhotra’s sincerity, and Shashank Khaitan’s heartfelt storytelling.
