‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’, directed by Karan Sharma, had the chance to deliver a fresh, funny, and thought-provoking romantic drama. Instead, it ends up being a confused mix of time loop chaos, cringeworthy humour, and an outdated idea of love — especially disappointing in a time when audiences are used to global stories that treat love with nuance.
The film Bhool Chuk Maaf revolves around Ranjan Tiwari (Rajkummar Rao), a small-town man from Varanasi who is in love with Titli (Wamiqa Gabbi). The twist? He gets stuck in a time loop the day before their wedding, reliving the same day again and again. He must figure out how to break free — but more importantly, so must the audience, from a plot that quickly becomes repetitive and shallow.
Love That Lacks Spark or Sense
The main problem isn’t just the time loop — it’s the love story itself. Ranjan is shown as a jobless man trying to marry Titli against her father’s wishes. Her father gives him two months to get a government job, or the wedding is off. When that fails, Ranjan turns to bribery. When that fails, he turns to faith.
Eventually, his wish is granted. But before he can tie the knot, he’s forced into a Groundhog Day-like loop. The idea sounds interesting — but the execution? Not so much.
The chemistry between Rao and Gabbi is almost non-existent. Their relationship feels more like a series of arguments than a love worth rooting for. Titli, supposed to be an independent and educated woman, is reduced to someone whose only dream is to marry a man who brings nothing to the table. She even considers selling her mother’s jewellery for him — a choice that feels more regressive than romantic.
Missed Opportunities and Misogynistic Moments
For a film set in the spiritual and culturally rich Varanasi, ‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’ misses the chance to use the location meaningfully. There are hints of magic and tradition, but they get lost under tired jokes and tone-deaf writing.
Some of the dialogues are outright problematic. The repeated line “Giving birth is the easiest job in the world” and mocking a man for living off his wife’s pickle business reflect deep-rooted sexism, not comedy. These lines feel not just outdated but offensive, especially in a film that wants to appeal to a modern audience.
Rajkummar Rao Deserves Better
The only thing holding this chaotic story together is Rajkummar Rao. His comic timing, sincerity, and charm bring moments of relief in an otherwise cluttered and shallow script. You can’t help but feel sorry for his character — not just because he’s stuck in a loop, but because the story never gives him (or the audience) anything truly meaningful to hold onto.
Gabbi, on the other hand, goes a bit over the top. Her character comes off as loud, childish, and hard to empathize with — making it difficult to believe in their love story.
‘Bhool Chuk Maaf’ is a film that looks promising on the surface — with a fun concept, a star like Rajkummar Rao, and the vibrant backdrop of Varanasi. But its weak writing, outdated gender ideas, and lack of emotional depth make it feel stuck in time — and not in the good way.
