Finally, ‘Bad Newz’ has arrived at the theatres, and audiences are excitedly thronging the movie halls. Well, when one thinks about it, this film had to hold a big responsibility on its shoulders as the much-anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit “Good Newwz.” The expectations from the film increase with Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri, and Ammy Virk in lead roles. So, does ‘Bad Newz’ live up to the hype, or does it turn out to be a disappointment? Let’s dive into the review and find out.
The Story:
The story of ‘Bad Newz’ revolves around Akhil Chadha, enacted by Vicky Kaushal, who has been projected as the biggest and most charismatic character in the film. His obsessions with the phone and mother create several comic situations. Akhil’s lady-love Saloni Bagga, enacted by Triptii Dimri, also has her goals to be a top-notch chef gunning for India’s first Meraki star. In this plot, Saloni ends up with twin embryos of two different fathers. There begins a hilarious yet emotional face-off between Akhil and Gurbir Pannu.
The storyline takes the reader through how at times parenthood, relationships, and personal ambition are plagued. ‘Bad Newz’ is light-hearted in tone, though the entire gamut of family complexities in modern times and pressures from society are not out of bounds.
Highlights:
One of the great aspects of the film is its performance. Vicky Kaushal is excellent as Akhil, suave and deep. His comic timing is impeccable, making even absurd situations believable and entertaining. Playing Saloni, Triptii Dimri brings in that zest and energy which refreshes the screen. Ammy Virk, subtle but subdued, puts in a decent act as Gurbir Pannu.
The notable scenes would be some cool dance sequences—particularly “Tauba Tauba,” which is actually one of the film’s best songs. It has Vicky Kaushal in really cool dance numbers. Light-hearted one-liners throughout the first half of the film keep the audience entertained.
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Shortcomings:
Even ‘Bad Newz’ has its flaws. The movie drags in the second half and loses the comedic pace of the first half. At times, it drags out a plot that is already confusing due to several subplots irrelevant to the main story. In addition, while the film attempts at moments to strike a balance between being funny and touching, sometimes it gets carried away with mushy sentimentalist moments that come across a bit forced and seem quite out of place in the movie.
Character development, too, is inadequate in this film. Akhil, no doubt, is a well-rounded and spunky character, but these others—Saloni and Gurbir—could have had a more fleshed-out experience.
Behind the Scenes:
Helmed by Anand Tiwari, ‘Bad Newz’ automatically comes with an inimitable storytelling style that can balance humor and heartfelt moments effortlessly. Tiwari is known for his earlier work on web series like “Bang Baaja Baarat” and “Bandish Bandits,” bringing a differentiator into Bollywood’s rom-com genre.
The film was shot at places like Sikkim, Mansoori, and Dalhousie—each a picture postcard location—adding to the beauty of the frames. A good bonding session between the lead actor, actress, and the rest of the crew also showed on screen. Fun trivia includes Vicky Kaushal diligently practicing his dance steps and Triptii Dimri doing a course in cooking so she can cook like a professional and look convincing as a chef.
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Final Score:
All in all, ‘Bad Newz’ is a mixed bag. It has its moments of brilliance, particularly in the performances and the comedy. However, the pacing issues and the uneven plot make it far from being a great sequel.
Pros:
1. Strong performance by Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri
2. Engaging humor in the first half
3. Visually bright cinematography
Cons:
1. Pacing issues in the second half
2. Convoluted plot with too many subplots
3. Underdeveloped supporting characters
While it’s not all kosher, ‘Bad Newz’ is still worth a watch for the outstanding performances and many of the really funny moments that genuinely keep audiences in stitches. If you are a Vicky Kaushal fan or just want something light, breezy, and on the more ‘fun’ side of Bollywood romantic comedies, this is the movie to go for—it provides one with a fun, even if imperfect, time spent at the movies.
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
Bookmyshow Rating: 6.3/10