Ranbir Kapoor-Janhvi Kapoor starrer charms audiences with old-school romance, strong music, and cinematic nostalgia — reviving the feel-good Hindi rom-com in an era of gritty thrillers.
By Sarhind Times Entertainment Desk
Mumbai | October 19, 2025
Bollywood’s box-office landscape has seen many waves — pan-India action, spy-universes, mythological reboots — but this week, it was a simple love story that stole the spotlight.
‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’, directed by Shashank Khaitan and starring Ranbir Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor, registered a roaring ₹87 crore domestic weekend and ₹148 crore worldwide in just four days.
Trade analysts call it the “surprise tonic” Bollywood needed before Diwali, turning multiplexes into nostalgia hubs for romantic comedy fans.
Old Formula, New Pulse
At its heart, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a throwback — witty banter, colourful song sequences, and family drama that harks back to early-2000s Karan Johar cinema.
The film follows Sunny Sharma, an NRI rooted in “values and vegetarianism”, who returns to India for his cousin’s wedding only to fall for Tulsi, a headstrong small-town radio host. Their clash of ideals sparks chaos and chemistry across three continents and four weddings.
Critics note that Khaitan has blended traditional motifs with today’s global visual grammar — sweeping drone shots, digital-era humour, and sub-plots exploring family vs freedom.
“It’s Dilwale Dulhania Meets Instagram Reel Culture,” jokes film critic Raja Sen. “And it works because it’s self-aware without being cynical.”
Performance Power: Ranbir’s Charm & Janhvi’s Control
Ranbir Kapoor’s effortless charisma anchors the film, bringing a blend of humour and restraint. His portrayal of a man torn between familial duty and personal expression resonates with younger viewers navigating similar pressures.
Janhvi Kapoor, in one of her most mature performances yet, balances vulnerability with verve. Her Tulsi Kumari is not the manic-pixie trope but a woman who negotiates career, identity, and love on her terms.
Their chemistry — subtle, teasing, believable — drives the film beyond formula.
“Janhvi owns every frame,” notes veteran critic Anupama Chopra. “She’s confident, funny, and emotionally real — a breakout moment.”
Music & Marketing Magic
Music composers Pritam and Tanishk Bagchi delivered a chart-buster album — “Sanskari Dil,” “Chaandni Re,” and “Nakhrewali Tulsi” are dominating Spotify and YouTube.
Social media campaigns were smart and viral. The #TulsiChallenge — where fans imitated Janhvi’s dance move — hit 250 million views in three days.
“The marketing was organic,” says producer Karan Johar. “Instead of loud trailers, we built a love-fest on Reels and X. Fans did the rest.”
The soundtrack’s retro feel with modern beats struck a cross-generational chord, drawing families back to theatres after months of OTT fatigue.
Box-Office Breakdown
| Day | Collection (₹ Crore, Domestic) |
| Friday | 24.3 |
| Saturday | 29.7 |
| Sunday | 33.1 |
| Monday (Partial Holiday) | ≈ 15 (est.) |
Trade experts predict a steady run towards the ₹200 crore mark by the second weekend. In international markets, the film performed exceptionally in UAE, UK, and North America due to its family-friendly rating and nostalgic appeal.
“It shows romance still sells — provided you wrap it in humour and heart,” says film analyst Taran Adarsh.
Audience Voice: Theatre Vibes Return
At Mumbai’s PVR Phoenix Mall, couples were seen taking selfies beneath posters that read “Pure Pyaar Is Back.”
In Lucknow and Jaipur, multiplex owners reported 80 % occupancy on Sunday shows.
“It’s family cinema again — no blood, no politics, just fun,” says a college student from Indore.
Twitter (X) buzz was filled with fan art and memes celebrating Sunny’s “sanskari swag.”
The film’s light-hearted dialogues — “Values are sexy too, bro!” — have already become viral quotables.
Critical Reception: Mixed but Positive
| Platform | Rating / 5 |
| Times of India | 3.5 |
| Hindustan Times | 3.0 |
| Indian Express | 3.5 |
| Sarhind Times Review | ★★★☆ (3.8 / 5) |
Most reviews applauded its sincerity and energy while acknowledging occasional predictability. The climactic speech on love and tradition earned applause for balancing modern values with cultural roots.
The Rom-Com Renaissance
In a post-pandemic cinema world dominated by dark thrillers and CGI epics, the success of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari signals renewed interest in feel-good genres.
Streaming fatigue has pushed audiences back to big screens for “collective joy.”
Trade pundits predict production houses will revive mid-budget romantic comedies featuring relatable urban stories and music-driven scripts.
“This is Bollywood’s comfort food,” says cinema historian Suhasini Mulay. “In times of stress, audiences crave laughter and love.”
Behind the Scenes
Filmed across London, Jaipur, and Mumbai, the movie used 35 mm lenses to evoke warm film-grain textures.
Cinematographer Amalendu Chaudhary created a colour palette of pastel turquoise and saffron, contrasting Tulsi’s rural world with Sunny’s foreign aesthetic.
“It’s a visual hug,” Chaudhary told Sarhind Times. “Every frame is meant to feel lived-in and lovable.”
The team shot three song sequences in heritage locations such as Albert Hall Museum and Amber Fort, bringing tourism boosts to Jaipur and nearby towns.
Sociocultural Underpinning
Beneath its frothy surface, the film touches on urban-rural value systems, gender roles, and the idea of “modern sanskaar.”
It pokes gentle fun at online judgments while reaffirming that love and dignity are not mutually exclusive.
“Rom-coms can be social documents too,” argues sociologist Dr. Mitali Roy. “They capture the way India negotiates progress and tradition through everyday romance.”
Economics of Emotion
For producers and the film industry, the success of Sunny Sanskari also proves that mid-budget stories (₹75–90 crore) can outperform VFX blockbusters if they connect emotionally.
It revives employment across music labels, marketing agencies, and single-screen theatres that were struggling for content post-COVID.
Editorial Perspective: The Return of Heart
In a time of high-stakes cinema and digital doomscrolling, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari reminds us that audiences still seek warmth and wonder.
Not every film must save the world — some just need to make us smile for three hours.
Bollywood’s future may well belong to stories that look back to move forward.
#SunnySanskariKiTulsiKumari #BollywoodBoxOffice #RanbirKapoor #JanhviKapoor #RomComRevival #HindiCinema #SarhindTimes
+ There are no comments
Add yours