Exploring the Chaos in Mudassar Aziz's 'Pati Patni Aur Woh Do'
A Comedy of Errors Unfolds
Mudassar Aziz's film, Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, presents a series of comedic mishaps. The plot revolves around forest officer Prajapati, his spouse, and the two women he is alleged to be involved with.
Set primarily in Prayagraj, the story follows Prajapati (played by Ayushmann Khurrana) as he agrees to help his college friend Chanchal (Sara Ali Khan) by pretending to be her lover. This charade is meant to protect her from the menacing politician Gajraj (Tigmanshu Dhulia), whose son Sunny (Vishal Vashishtha) is Chanchal's real boyfriend.
Gajraj embodies casteist attitudes, and the duo's task is to keep Gajraj's henchmen occupied while Chanchal elopes with Sunny.
Prajapati's colleague Nilofer (Rakul Preet Singh), who is also his wife Aparna's (Wamiqa Gabbi) best friend, catches him in the act. Additional complications arise from Chanchal's talkative aunt (Ayesha Raza Mishra) and the corrupt officer Dharamvir (Vijay Raaz).
Aziz directs the cast to adopt an exaggerated performance style, with loud delivery. Only Khurrana, Singh, and Raza Mishra manage to effectively embody this over-the-top approach. A more straightforward, naturalistic performance might have enhanced the film's impact.
Simply shouting lines does not inherently add humor, nor does the excessive background music. Since directing the charming Happy Bhag Jayegi, Aziz has struggled to find the right tone for his clever commentary on traditional morals.
In Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, Aziz and co-writer Ravi Kumar cleverly insert critiques of societal biases. Their commentary on issues related to caste, religion, and sexuality, while not as radical as it seems, proves to be more engaging than watching characters flail about comically.