'Sui Dhaaga' review: Varun, Anushka will warm your heart

Mauji (Varun Dhawan) and Mamta (Anushka Sharma) are a married couple in a small town in India. With Mamta stuck between the daily chores and her kitchen, the couple doesn't spend much time with each other. In the beginning, they communicate with each other only through their family members and haven't even shared a meal together since their wedding.

Mauji works at a shop selling sewing machines and is often belittled by the owner's son, who asks him to enact a puppy's act, as part of his job. When the son asks him to do the same at his wedding, Mamta and her in-laws are embarrassed to see their son behaving like a dog.

Mauji's family is instantly likeable, with Raghubir Yadav as the father and Abha Parmar as the mother. Raghubir is a father who sheds tears when a bride on a daily soap is being sent-off and it is his constant bickering as he keeps questioning Mauji's decisions that give some light-hearted moments in the film.

The family also has a different way of dealing with emergencies. In a scene when there is a health crisis, the mother is more concerned about filling water and cooking an evening meal. These breathers will crack you up. Kudos to the casting team for curating the right mix of actors.

The couple finally begins talking to each other when Mamta is angry with Mauji. And this is just the first time we see her defending him in front of his family. As the movie goes ahead and she sows the idea of him starting a tailoring shop, her character emerges stronger.

From a housewife who hasn't ever left her home to becoming a partner who pushes her husband to chase his dreams, to a responsible daughter-in-law, enough thought has gone in penning Mamta's character.

Mauji realizes the worth of his craft in the second half and things are on an upswing post intermission. The storyline flaws here because things fall into place too conveniently, they enter a competition, gather people, and put together a fashion line.

The movie tries too hard to become an artisan movement in the second half, touching upon empowering artists who have given up on their craft to make their ends meet.

With his grandfather as a tailor, Mauji has the tailoring chops but the film misses out on showcasing the transition that he undergoes as he hones his craft and the duo become designers in the end. Remember how Akshay Kumar's 'Pad Man' had beautifully traced the transition of Muruganantham from a regular husband into an entrepreneur - that is missing in 'Sui Dhaaga'.

Director Sharat Kataria's last film, 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' was appreciated for his knack of capturing the small-town love story between a misfit couple. He brings similar authenticity to 'Sui Dhaaga'. With his writing, he crafts his characters with care and gives us a story that is heartwarming.

Varun Dhawan is known to be a director's actor and Sharath gives him to play with. Anushka Sharma shines as the innocent Indian wife, who covers her head with a ghoonghat and yet has the final word in the family. She naturally gets out of her comfort zone and we are glad she chose to be Mamta.

The film brings back the combination of Sharat Kataria, Anu Malik and lyricist Varun Grover. Songs like 'Chaav Laga', 'Sui Dhaaga' to the foot tapping 'Sab Badhiya Hai' are high on melody and add to the texture of the film.

Despite its minor flaws the movie is an engaging watch.

anita@khaleejtimes.com

Cast: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma

Directed by: Sharat Kataria

Ratings: 3.5/5