Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Review

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (TBMAUJ) ventures into the intriguing territory of human-robot relationships with a mix of romance, comedy and AI (just on the surface). Directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah in their directorial debut, the film presents a promising premise that, while not fully realized, manages to entertain intermittently.

The movie is neither a satire on AI nor a commentary on the possibilities of the technology, nor is it an out-and-out comedy. It tries to be all, but it fizzles out.

The idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seduced filmmakers since the beginning of moviemaking. We had the robot Maria in the 1927 classic Metropolis, and Chitti in Shankar's 2010 blockbuster Robot, and similar characters in countless other movies. AI has even crept into TV series such as Bahu Hamari Rajinikanth.

However, don't expect Maria or Chitti in TBMAUJ. The movie is cheesy but somehow still manages to captivate the audience.

The plot follows Aryan Agnihotri (Shahid Kapoor), a robotics engineer who unwittingly falls in love with SIFRA (Kriti Sanon), a humanoid robot created by his aunt, Urmila Shukla (Dimple Kapadia). A series of events unfolds, including a wedding plan and SIFRA's malfunction, leading Aryan to realize the impossibility of a human-robot romance. As he navigates his newfound understanding, he finds solace in a new connection with a colleague, while SIFRA, rebooted without memories, exhibits signs of jealousy.

The plot starts off with Aryan lacking interest in marriage and being exceedingly particular about what he wants, to the point where he struggles to retain even a housemaid. However, his persistent and noisy family members, particularly his mother, are fixated on finding him a spouse. Until SIFRA enters the picture, however, no woman meets Aryan's exact standards.

SIFRA (Super Intelligent Female Robot Automation) is the culmination of 13 years of effort by a US robotics company led by Urmila Shukla, a woman who openly professes her love for machines. SIFRA embodies the epitome of male fantasies. She is strikingly beautiful. Sanon's appearance is unparalleled, sometimes towering over those of others, both literally (despite wearing flats to match Shahid's height) and figuratively (due to her performance). She excels effortlessly at every task thrown at her: cooking with both hands, speaking multiple languages, and dancing with exceptional skill. Furthermore, she remains unfazed by exhaustion, sweat or irritation, provided she's charged on time. She also doesn't object to bad manners; for instance, when Aryan once burps in her face, she doesn't react. She also functions as a reminder for daily chores. She is perfect until a malfunction occurs after a software update.

The film attempts to blend elements of romance, comedy and sci-fi, but falls short of fully delivering on its promises. While the idea of a man falling in love with a robot and introducing her to his family is intriguing, the execution oscillates between moments of fun and flatness. What stands out is the climax. The directors' handling of the denouement is commendable, with Sanon seamlessly transitioning from comic to unnerving to frightening. However, the rest of the narrative lacks the wit and flare needed to fully engage the audience.

Kriti Sanon shines in her portrayal of SIFRA, capturing the character's allure and capabilities effectively. Shahid Kapoor delivers a competent performance but doesn't quite reach the heights of his previous roles in Kabir Singh or Kaminey. The supporting cast, comprising a large and lively family, adds to the film's comedic moments, with Dharmendra's endearing portrayal standing out.

Visually, the film is a treat, with the stunning cinematography by Laxman Utekar capturing the glossy world of the characters. The choreography by Johnny Master is also noteworthy in the dance sequences. The catchy title track, a renewed version of a 2004 song by Canadian musician Raghav, adds to the movie's appeal.

Despite its shortcomings, TBMAUJ remains a one-time watch, thanks to its unique premise and entertaining moments. It's a film that attempts to explore the complexities of human-robot relationships but falls short of delivering a truly compelling narrative.

The ending seems like a tease for a sequel. Perhaps the director duo has a plan to fully unravel the story next time.