Pati Patni Aur Woh Do is a chaotic relationship comedy that delivers laugh-out-loud moments, bringing the good old days of comedy films back to life. This comedy of errors hinges on misplaced suspicions and embarrassing comic situations where nothing is quite what it seems.
Set in the bustling streets of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the film opens with a helpless forest department staff anxiously waiting for their in-charge officer, Prajapati Pandey (Ayushmann Khurrana), to capture a leopard that has strayed into the city.
Upon returning home at night, the quick-witted forest officer confesses to his wife Aparna (Wamiqa Gabbi), a fierce and ambitious television journalist: “Janwar ki itni himmat ke apna hi Pinjra bhul jaaye” (implying that he would ultimately return to his beloved wife). This moment feels incredibly natural and innovative, delivering a witty punchline without sounding offensive to women. Plenty of clever humor follows.
And to take it further, the poor chap follows it by describing himself as “A respectable married man’ which subsequently he has to use it often in the later stages. Prajapati has to narrate it again when he is caught in a shady hotel room with another girl.
But this seedha-sadha forest officer’s life turns upside down when his college friend Chanchal (Sara Ali Khan) suddenly reappears, needing a massive favor. This is only the beginning of the chaos! Her return drives a narrative packed with good-natured, inoffensive one-liners that will make you giggle and, at times, laugh out loud.
Pati Patni Aur Woh Do has a stunning interval block
More funny moments erupt when the Minister spanks his henchmen – ‘Tum log karyakarta ho… Kaam karo gunde jaisa… lekin dikhne mein to gentleman lago’ (You guys are supposed to appear gentlemanly despite your core work profile is that of goons guarding our political party!
There are several clever puns, particularly one where the forest officer must rush to Kanpur to save a “tortoise in distress.” While all the three lead heroines share romantic songs with the hero, each track stands out for its melody and sensuousness, and most of them are innovatively choreographed.
In Banaras, the helpless forest officer is forced to fake a relationship with Chanchal (Sara Ali Khan) to convince a minister’s spying goons that Prajapati and Chanchal are lovebirds! Meanwhile, back home, Prajapati’s wife experiences bizarre hallucinations, imagining her husband romancing, singing and dancing with her own friend played by Rakul Preet Singh.
The helpless forest officer has to act like he is in love with Chanchal (Sara Ali Khan) in Banaras to establish that they are love birds to the Minister’s goon who are spying on her. And here Prajapati’s wife gets weird visuals of her husband romancing, singing and dancing with her own friend Nilofer Khan (Rakul Preet Singh).
Towards the climax, the Minister takes a metaphorical swipe at the pitiable forest officer with a witty, meta punchline: “Shakal se to aayushman lagte ho lekin hakikat mein tum haiwaan ho” (You look as innocent as Ayushmann, but in reality, you are a brute). It is a hilarious, self-aware moment that lands perfectly.
‘Aajkal to purush jaati par hi Bharosa uth Gaya’
Additionally, this romantic comedy features catchy musical tracks that blend beautifully into the narrative. The film’s scene-stealing supporting cast further elevates the experience; Vijay Raaz, Tigmanshu Dhulia, and Ayesha Raza Mishra (as Chanchal’s Bua Ji) bring a classic comic timing that reminiscent of Sanjeev Kumar’s original Pati Patni Aur Woh.
Wamiqa Gabbi boasts an excellent screen presence as the forest officer’s wife, a woman whose fierce ambition is to launch her own television channel. Meanwhile, Sara Ali Khan infuses the film with high energy and bubbly charm as the college friend. Rakul Preet Singh shines as Nilofer, the officer’s subordinate, effortlessly executing a typical UP accent. Ultimately, it is Ayushmann Khurrana who serves as the central pivot around whom these chaotic situations arise, beautifully evoking non-stop laughter.
Clocking in at 117 minutes, the film is definitely a hilarious family entertainer, though it is ultimately weighed down by a predictable climax.
