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Tiku Weds Sheru Review: Ambitious Attempt, Disappointing Execution

Sai Kabir attempts to explore the complexities of marriage through the characters Tiku and Sheru, drawing parallels to films like Tanu Weds Manu. Also, there is an attempt to shed light on an industry from a woman's perspective, akin to the film Fashion.

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Priya Prakash
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Tiku Weds Sheru Review

Feature Image Credit: Amazon Prime

Tiku Weds Sheru, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video on June 23rd, offers much more beyond the initial controversy surrounding its kissing scene after the trailer's release. Tasleem, also known as Tiku, carries a universe of dreams within her youthful gaze, yearning to become a superstar in the same city of dreams where Shiraz Khan Afghani, aka Sheru's dreams, may have faltered.
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In the opening moments of the film, Shiraz Khan Afghani (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), known as Sheru, paints a vivid picture of Mumbai through a shayari.

Tim-timate ye khwabo ka sahar,bastiya jugnu si chamakti hai yahaan, Kehte hain ki khwabo ko haqeeqat banata hai yeh seher, Gar humne to har khwab ko ghut ghut ke marte dekha hai yahaan. In this narration, Sheru paints a vivid picture of Mumbai as a city where dreams are born and lost. However, as the film concludes, Sheru realises that dreams are the most beautiful and precious part of life, and Mumbai provides the perfect stage for them to come true, despite the challenges they may bring. 

Tasleem, also known as Tiku (portrayed by Avneet Kaur), carries a universe of dreams within her youthful gaze, yearning to become a superstar in the same city of dreams where Sheru's dreams may have faltered. She claims the spirits of Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, and Nargis Dutta move in her veins but channels the charisma of Kareena Kapoor and the audacity of Kangana Ranaut. She fearlessly treads every path imaginable to transform her dreams into dazzling stardom.

Sheru, a struggling actor and junior artist, treads the murky waters of the acting industry, entangled in illicit activities. Above all, he is a pathological liar who lies only in the English language. In his quest for financial stability, Sheru finds himself entangled in a peculiar alliance when he receives a proposal from Tiku's family, who offer a promising financial solution.
Tiku, hailing from a conservative Bhopal family, reluctantly agrees to marry Sheru as a means to fulfilling her dreams of becoming an actor in Mumbai. Upon arriving in Mumbai, Tiku tries to fly, but an unforeseen revelation plunges her into a whirlwind of emotions. She learns that she carries the weight of an unexpected pregnancy from her boyfriend, Binni, who deceived her.
The narrative unfolds, focusing on Tiku, who is disheartened by Sheru's truth; her dreams and her child are now the sole driving forces. Liberated from the need to conform to others' expectations, she immerses herself in the world of films and acting, crossing paths with Kangana Ranaut, who makes a cameo appearance in the film.
Tiku showcases her talent through auditions but is compelled to resort to casting couch tactics for her first break. In her pursuit, she endures heartbreaking losses, including the sacrifice of her child and the loss of her home, eventually embracing a dancer's role. Meanwhile, Sheru gets his release from jail and joins her on stage in a female getup, reuniting with her through an uncomfortable dance performance.

In the end, they reconcile with their fates, accepting the realities they face and making the most of the opportunities presented to them.

Tiku Weds Sheru Review

Though Kaur wholeheartedly embraces her role, her on-screen presence fails to convince viewers as intended. Conversely, Siddiqui, renowned for delivering exceptional performances and showcasing his talent, seemed trapped in a role that felt somewhat repetitive and lacked freshness. Despite his earnest attempts to breathe life into the script, the shortcomings of the poorly written narrative hindered his ability to truly convince the audience.

The film ambitiously attempts to delve into various aspects of the acting industry, including the treatment of actors, role acquisition tactics, casting couch experiences, drug and human trafficking, as well as the financial intricacies of filmmaking. It also strives to shed light on the sacrifices and struggles of a young girl from a conservative family, addressing issues like misogyny, patriarchy, dowry, and domestic violence.

However, despite its intentions, the film falters in effectively connecting these elements due to shortcomings in its script and screenplay.

Moments that should evoke powerful emotions become detached as viewers grapple with their conflicted perceptions of whether the characters deserve their outcomes.

The film features several scenes intended to evoke emotional responses, such as Tiku being physically assaulted by her brothers, Sheru's sudden change in behaviour from aggressive to affectionate, Sheru's breakdown on the beach, their subsequent kiss, and Tiku's overall struggle. However, the impact and effectiveness of these scenes are hindered by the way they are presented, ultimately failing to evoke the desired emotional connection with the audience.
The filmmaker, Sai Kabir, endeavours to explore the complexities of marriage through the characters Tiku and Sheru, drawing parallels to films like Tanu Weds Manu. Additionally, there is an attempt to shed light on the inner workings of an industry from a woman's perspective, akin to the film Fashion. However, despite these aspirations, the execution falls short. The film struggles to capture the essence and depth of these themes, failing to deliver the intended impact and resonance that the aforementioned films achieved.
Tiku Weds Sheru Avneet Kaur
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