Reviews & Ratings for
Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)

Tanu Weds Manu Returns is everything which Tanu Weds Manu was not. TWM was a light hearted romantic comedy about friendship, festive wedding atmosphere and Kanpuriya Style. TWM made you laugh with the antics of Pappiji (Deepak Dobriyal) and one liners of Raja Awasthi (Jimmy Shergill). TWMR will make your heart melt for various characters in different situations.
TWMR is an emotional family drama which deals with the stress in the relationship between Tanu and Manu. This stress isn't affecting just 2 lives but 10 other lives associated with these two characters, like a chain reaction or dominos effect. TWMR is not an outstanding film like its prequel which immortalized various characters in memory of audience. But, it is still an above average film which one should watch. Personally, I was disappointed because I was expecting to watch same chemistry of romantic comedy. Did the director surprise me? Of course, he did but I was more shocked than surprised.
Coming to the acting department, Kangana Ranaut leaves you spellbound with the character of Kusum "Datto". There is a stark contrast between Tanu and Datto and yet Kangana graciously exhibited both roles with panache. Be it the look, haryanvi accent or mannerism of characters, Kangana leaves no stone unturned. Especially, the scene where Datto gives her introduction to Manu would make you stand up and clap for her. Madhavan has done the role of "Big Loser" multiple times and no one else could've looked so helpless and pitiful. Suits his image, which he did effortlessly. Deepak Dobriyal, Zeeshan Ayub, Swara Bhaskar, Jimmy Shergill are all class actors and have done wonders on silver screen. But, in TWMR their roles are limited to just being "Shaadi ke Baraati". They just have to be around Tanu and Manu to support them. Rajesh Sharma as Datto's brother is the dark horse in this film and one of his monologue in his village is worth mentioning.
Plot of the film is indeed unusual and kudos to Himanshu Sharma for the story. But, I didn't like the ending of the film. Story is going in a direction, then sudden jerk and situation changes and the end. Funny it might sound, but that's like high school mathematics problem of deriving a theorem. Wherever you're stuck, it is LHS = RHS, hence proved!
Krsna Solo & Tanishk-Vayu have given a melodious music with a good variety. Banno is already a chart buster and you can't stop dancing to it. Move on and Mat ja re has a melancholic touch. Old School girl is extremely funny and reminds me of "Moora" song of GOW 2. Ghani Bawri was a nicely timed situational song. Otherwise, peppy but it brings a lump in the throat.
Verdict: An above average film that can be watched with family. Just be clear that it isn't a romantic comedy but an emotional family drama. Else, you might be a bit disappointed like me.

Tanu in the first movie seemed self-centered and selfish, and you think she's grown up a bit by the wedding at the end of the film. But then in the sequel, you see she is still just as selfish, but he's not been the best either in the four years that have passed between films. The opening scene is them arguing in a counselor's office, and where they take it next I won't spoiler because it was just so out there that it had me laughing out loud. There are many very funny moments in the sequel -- there's one line that I made the biggest sound in the theater -- Someone is commenting that the way Tanu is being "unfaithful" by hanging around with her old boy friends she is going in the path of Salman Khan.

So from the trailer I could not tell if Kangana was in disguise as the athlete short haired duplicate, or it really was a doppelganger. It's a doppelganger. And kudos to her for making them so completely different. The short haired Kusum is so strong willed and great, and frankly Madhuvan doesn't deserve her and stalks her in a creepy way that his friend tells him is creepy! It's all very convoluted, as only Bollywood can be, and there are some nice moments and some very funny set ups. But a friend at the same showing and I discussed how to make a sequel they had to create all this conflict for Tanu and Manu -- but they went SO FAR that they had a lot of trouble reeling it back in to a satisfying ending. I enjoyed a lot of the journey, but the resolution could have happened in a number of other ways that she and I discussed that I would have been a lot happier with. There is a character left heartbroken at the end, and we both wished there would have been something better of a resolution for that character, as there were options available with the other characters in the film.

The moral of the story is I guess supposed to be that you work through your problems, and that every marriage has its annoyances and arguments. Okay, that's valid to a point, but late in the movie, at Tanu's lowest pitiable point, she approaches Manu and he says something SO AWFUL to her, that I had a hard time getting emotionally to the ending presented to me.

If you haven't seen the first movie, most of the jokes won't be quite as delicious, and there are some very funny bits, but I left the theater without that warm glow I wanted and had from the first film.

In all likelihood, the film should be able to garner a credible initial & will have the word of mouth going in its favour. So I expect it to rake in the moolah at the box office without fail. In short, if you had loved the prequel then be sure to check this out & even if you haven't, give it a try!!!