Mere Brother Ki Dulhan


Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is a 2011 Indian romantic comedy film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar in his directorial debut, written by him, produced by Yash Raj Films and featuring Katrina Kaif, Imran Khan, Ali Zafar and Tara D'Souza as leads. Post the trailer launch on 23 July 2011 followed by promotions, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan was theatrically released on 9 September 2011 at an approximate investment of and earned worldwide.

Plot

After breaking up with his girlfriend Piyali Patel, Luv Agnihotri insists his younger brother Kush to find him a bride. Kush travels all over India to find a bride suitable for Luv. But he doesn't find anyone who his brother will like. Then his friends come up with an idea to advertise this in a news paper. Mr Dixit calls and tells them that he is looking for a suitable person for his daughter, Dimple. Dimple Dixit enters. Obnoxious and loud, she is decided by Kush as perfect bride. After meeting Luv, Dimple agrees for alliance with him. Her brother Ajay wants them to get married at a place in Agra from where Taj Mahal is visible. During the wedding preparations Kush and Dimple fall in love. So they come up with a plan to get married. Dimple invites Piyali to India. And seeing her Luv realises that he still loves her and the two run away and get married. After reading their letters Dimple's dad Dilip and Luv-Kush's dad Swarnik have a fight first, but figure that the only way to protect their respect and pride is to get Kush and Dimple married. But Kush has a condition that he will marry Dimple only if Luv and Piyali are accepted. The family agrees. Luv-Piyali and Kush-Dimple gets married and stays happily ever after.

Cast

Development

announced the then-untitled project on 5 August 2010. Ali Abbas Zafar, who's been an assistant director on a number of Yash Raj Films productions such as Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Tashan, New York and Badmaash Company, makes his feature writing and directing debut with this film, which has been described as a comedy of errors by lead actor Imran Khan. After Band Baaja Baaraat, this marks the second Yash Raj Films production in a row to be helmed by a first time director who was previously an assistant director. Zafar is originally from Dehradun, where much of the story is set. After years of working with Yash Raj Films, he submitted three love stories to producer Aditya Chopra, who eventually greenlit Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, enabling Zafar to start writing his 150-page long script. Ali Abbas Zafar is an alumnus of The Players, the acclaimed theatre society of Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, where he acted in different plays including an adaptation of William Golding's Lord of the Flies.
Like many Bollywood films, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan has suffered allegations that it is a rip-off of an American film even before filming wrapped. According to these sources, the film rips off Dan in Real Life, in which Steve Carell's character also falls in love with his brother's girlfriend. The film has also drawn comparison to an earlier Yash Raj Films production, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai.

Casting

and Katrina Kaif play the romantic leads in the film, and their involvement was announced in the same press release as the initial production company announcement. This is the first time they've been paired together. They were initially to star together in 7 Days in Paris for director Sanjay Gadhvi, but the film has been indefinitely postponed. some media publications have alleged that their casting was an attempt by Yash Raj Films to end a recent string of box-office flops and disappointments. While this is Imran Khan's first movie for Yash Raj Films, Katrina Kaif had previously worked with them on the critical and commercial hit New York. She was able to take the role thanks to the postponement of Dostana 2 to which she was already committed. Her role has been reported in the media as different than characters she'it down after initially accepting it. It was then given to Ali Zafar, an actor who'd received rave reviews for his debut film Tere Bin Laden and who confirmed his participation via his Twitter account. A popular singer, Zafar will also perform his character's singing in the film and described his casting as "a dream come true" and his role as a "parallel lead role". The film additionally stars a new actress Tara D'Souza who is a former Kingfisher model.
On 17 October 2010, several media outlets reported on the casting of Preity Zinta in an unspecified "glamorous role". The actress however quickly denied the report on her official Twitter page.

Filming

Filming started on 25 September 2010 and was scheduled to be completed by November. and Pataudi, before moving on to Chandigarh, Agra, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Haridwar, Dhanaulti, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh for a total of 45 days of filming in northern India and finally finishing the film in Mumbai. Juggling between this film and the final shots of Tees Maar Khan and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Kaif joined the shoot on 27 September.
A bloody incident happened very early in the shoot, on 29 September, while the crew was filming at Pataudi Palace. The scene being shot, comic in nature, involved Imran Khan pulling Katrina Kaif towards him while pointing a gun towards other cast members. However, Khan miscalculated the move and instead sent the gun barrel crashing into Kaif's nose, causing it to bleed profusely. Kaif was quoted as saying "I am pretty bruised but the staff feels it's good luck for the film. But it was a funny scene so I think it was worth it" and "Please don't make it seem as if Imran was careless or something. These things happen. We were shooting one of the really madcap scenes where the actors' limbs acquire a life of their own. Imran's hand landed on my face" Another incident of sorts was reported by the media in early October and involves an emotional scene where Kaif's character slaps Khan's. Kaif would have been content to slap Khan once, however he insisted on sixteen takes so that the director would have a variety of slaps to choose from. Kaif was involved in another accident a few weeks later while filming in Nabha. Her hair got caught in a fan, and it was thanks to co-star Ali Zafar's quick action that the incident didn't turn more serious. Zafar and a spot boy named Raju did however sustain minor injuries and bruises. The film's title, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, was revealed on 2 October along with a few promo pictures. Ali Zafar stated that Kaif promised him that if the film made over 600 million at the box office, she would do a music video with him.

Release

were first aiming for a July 2011 release, but the release date was later pushed to 16 September 2011. The studio drastically changed their marketing tactics with this film by revealing the title and two stills a week into filming, whereas they have previously been very secretive about sharing such information until about a couple of months before the theatrical release. It was released in Pakistan on 9 September 2011.

Critical reception

The film received positive reviews from critics, particularly praising Katrina Kaif's performance. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama awarded it 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, "On the whole, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is a delectably wholesome, heartening, feel-good entertainer." Shivesh Kumar of IndiaWeekly awarded the movie 4 out of 5 stars. Daily Bhaskar awarded the movie 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Surely a treat for Katrina's fans, as it will be an experience to witness her talent." Komal Nahta of Koimoi gave it 3 out of 5 stars and said, "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan has reasonable entertainment value, very good music, exciting song picturisations which will all result in a good run at the box-office", but " The screenplay dips at a few places; a few comic scenes seem forced." Sukanya Verma of Rediff rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars and said, "At the end of the day, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is a pretty ordinary effort. It's the kind of movie where everyone looks catalogue cool and beams with enthusiasm to make the going-ons appear droll and exciting." Kaveree Bamzai of India Today also gave it 3.5 stars and wrote, "A large part of the film is a spoof—from Dabangg to My Name Is Khan. Some of it also an ode—from Padosan to Mughal e Azam. Some of it works, a lot of it doesn't." Gaurav Malani of The Times of India wrote, "The screenplay fails to tap the little potential that the story offers pretty much like the film fails to exploit the talent of Ali Zafar. The writing is shallow and resorts to a convenient climax." Krita Coelho of Gulf News wrote, " Watch if you're a sucker for a sweet Bollywood romance." Reuters wrote, "If you are willing to ignore some flaws", Mere Brother Ki Dulhan "is a fun good one-time watch." Rahul Gangwani from Filmfare gave it 3 out of 5 stars and called it Knot recommend however he praised the performance of the lead actress and added: "the film ultimately belongs to Katrina Kaif. She sparkles, sizzles and infuses energy into the film. Watch out for the scene where she breaks into the shehnai rendition from Ashutosh Gowariker Swades." Rajeev Masand in his review for CNN-IBN called the film too predictable and said: "The film doesn't always work because it relies too heavily on silly stereotypes and clichés, and because you can see exactly where it's going from the moment you settle into your seat. I'm going with two out of five for director Ali Abbas Zafar's Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. Aside from a few enjoyable moments, this film recycles so much that you've already seen before." Hamara Bollywood gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and said that Katrina Kaif's performance alone 'is worth paying the admission price.'

Box office

India
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan has had a good opening with first day of 75.0 million net, It had a good first weekend of 255.0 million net. the film held up well on Monday with business of the 37.5 million net mark, taking its four-day business to Rs 290 million net. It grossed net in the first week of its release. It was declared a super hit after its net gross totalled in 3 weeks. Thus it became the ninth highest-grossing film of 2011. At the end of its theatrical run the film grossed Cr in India.
Overseas
The film collected from overseas markets.

Soundtrack

The score and soundtrack of the film was composed by Sohail Sen, best known for being the man behind the music of What's Your Raashee?. Lyrics are penned by Irshad Kamil, the first working between Sohail Sen and Irshad Kamil. Ali Zafar sings one song in the film. The music was released on 9 August 2011. The album contains six original tracks and two remixes.

Reception

Music of the film got positive to mixed reviews from the critics. Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama rated the album favourably, awarding it 3.5/5, stating "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is a winning album by all means and has in it to be widely popular in days to come. As expected, the entire soundtrack follows a fun approach without anything becoming overtly mushy or mellow. Composer Sohail Sen can be assured that he would now have a successful soundtrack to his name as well that would find a wide audience for itself." This is the music director's third work so far, the first two being What's Your Rashee and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. Nikhil Hemrajani of Hindustan Times wrote, "That all eight songs in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan's soundtrack are high-energy thumpers probably makes sense for the coming festive season. But there's nothing special about the music, so to speak."

Accolades

AwardCategoryRecipientResult
Filmfare AwardsBest ActressKatrina Kaif
Producers Guild Film AwardsBest ActressKatrina Kaif
Stardust AwardsBest Actress in a Comedy or RomanceKatrina Kaif
Stardust AwardsBest Debut DirectorAli Abbas Zafar
4th Mirchi Music AwardsFemale Vocalist of The YearNeha Bhasin - "Dhunki"