Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video: A Comedy That Misses the Mark

Director Raaj Shaandilyaa’s latest comedy, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, aims to tickle the audience with its barrage of jokes, but unfortunately, the humor rarely lands. Despite the film’s efforts to create a light-hearted, nostalgic experience, the jokes often come across as forced, offensive, and, quite simply, unfunny.

A Comedy That Tries Too Hard

From the very start, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video feels like it’s trying too hard to be funny. The film bombards the audience with jokes before, during, and after every sentence, but instead of generating laughter, it only results in awkward silences. As Manjot Singh’s character aptly puts it in a cameo, “It’s a joke”—a line that unintentionally sums up the film’s overall tone.

Unfortunately, the film’s humor relies heavily on outdated and offensive stereotypes, poking fun at senior citizens, South Indians, Sardars, and even people with speech impediments. This relentless barrage of insensitive humor makes the film feel more like an exhausting ordeal rather than an enjoyable experience.

Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri Lead a Disjointed Plot

The film is set in 1997 in Rishikesh, back when CDs and landline phones were still part of daily life. Rajkummar Rao plays Vicky, a mehendi artist, and Triptii Dimri portrays Vidya, a doctor with little to no responsibilities. The two childhood sweethearts hatch an absurd plan to convince their families to allow them to marry.

The supporting cast includes a host of eccentric characters, from Tiku Talsania’s monocle-wearing grandfather to Rakesh Bedi and Archana Puran Singh’s loud, quarrelsome parents. There’s also Vijay Raaz, who plays a bumbling cop, and Mallika Sherawat, whose character drives the plot’s eventual descent into chaos.

The central conflict arises when a CD containing intimate footage of the couple is stolen, leading to a series of panic-induced decisions and poorly executed comedic gags. The film stretches its thin plot for a staggering 152 minutes, and by the end, it feels like an overstretched joke with little payoff.

Nostalgia Done Wrong

While Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video attempts to ride the wave of 1990s nostalgia, it fails to do so in a meaningful way. The film uses ‘90s chartbusters and parodies them in an effort to evoke laughter, but the result is more cringe-worthy than comedic. Even the inclusion of stars like Shehnaz Gill, Daler Mehndi, and Mallika Sherawat in song-and-dance sequences feels forced and unnecessary.

The film’s humor is filled with sexual innuendo and slapstick gags, but they lack the charm or timing that made the Ayushmann Khurrana-era comedies of the same nostalgic space so successful. Instead, the film’s comedic attempts often feel outdated and stale.

Performances That Struggle to Shine

Rajkummar Rao, as always, brings a level of humanity to his character that saves it from feeling completely sleazy. However, the character of Vicky lacks the depth needed to carry the film, and Rao’s exhaustion is evident as the movie progresses. His character feels like a shadow of his previous comedic successes, with the “Vicky fatigue” beginning to set in.

Triptii Dimri is a spunky presence on screen, but her character feels underutilized and one-dimensional. The film fails to explore her potential beyond her surface-level appeal, and while she avoids being overly provocative, her role offers little in terms of substance or character development.

A Forced Conclusion

As the film reaches its melodramatic conclusion, it attempts to wrap up with messages about women’s dignity and men’s voyeurism. The final act hints at potential sequels, but given the film’s lackluster execution, audiences may not be eager to return to this world anytime soon.