ABOUT THE MOVIE (ROCKY OUR RANI KI PREM KAHANI)

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (transl. Rocky and Rani's Love Story) is a 2023 Hindi-language romantic comedy-drama directed by Karan Johar and written by Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan, and Sumit Roy. Produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios, the film stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as a couple with contrasting personalities who decide to live with each other’s families for three months before marrying. The supporting cast includes Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, Aamir Bashir, and Kshitee Jog.

Announced in July 2021, the film marked Johar’s return to directing after Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). Filming took place from August 2021 to March 2023 across Mumbai, New Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir, with delays due to Bhatt’s pregnancy. The music is composed by Pritam with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. Manush Nandan handled cinematography and Nitin Baid edited the film.

Released on 28 July 2023, the film received positive reviews. Made on a budget of ₹160 crore with an additional ₹18 crore for marketing, it grossed over ₹355 crore worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2023.

At the 69th Filmfare Awards, the film earned 20 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor, and won four: Best Actress (Bhatt), Best Supporting Actress (Azmi), Best Dialogue, and Best Costume Design. At the 71st National Film Awards, it won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Choreography (Vaibhavi Merchant for “Dhindhora Baje Re”).

Plot

The Randhawas, a wealthy Punjabi family, run Dhanlakshmi Sweets under their strict matriarch, Dhanlakshmi Randhawa. Her husband, Kanwal, suffers from memory loss, while their son Tijori mirrors her controlling nature. Tijori’s family includes his submissive wife Punam and their children, Rocky and Gayatri.

Kanwal mistakenly kisses a stranger, thinking she is a woman named Jamini. Rocky investigates and finds Jamini’s photo, leading him to her granddaughter Rani Chatterjee, an outspoken Bengali news anchor from an intellectual family. Kanwal and Jamini are revealed to have shared a brief affair in 1978, and reconnecting them brings Rocky and Rani closer.

Despite their cultural differences, Rocky and Rani fall in love. To test their compatibility, they decide to live with each other’s families for three months. Rani encourages the Randhawa women to assert themselves, angering Dhanlakshmi and Tijori. Meanwhile, Rocky faces criticism from the Chatterjees for his lack of education and old-fashioned views, but he works to change and even joins Chandon’s dance classes.

During Durga Puja, Rocky performs with Chandon, provoking Tijori. A confrontation causes Rani to push Tijori, creating a rift between her and Rocky. Back home, Rocky defends Punam when Tijori tries to hit her. The shock prompts Kanwal to briefly regain clarity before passing away.

Months later, Tijori apologizes to the Chatterjees. Rocky and Rani reunite and marry. Dhanlakshmi doesn’t attend the wedding but sends Rani the secret family recipe, symbolically accepting her.

Cast

Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Ananya Panday make cameo appearances in the song "Heart Throb".