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| Mere Brother Ki Dulhan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ali Abbas Zafar |
| Written by | Ali Abbas Zafar |
| Produced by | Aditya Chopra |
| Starring | Imran Khan Katrina Kaif Ali Zafar Tara D'Souza |
| Cinematography | Sudeep Chatterjee |
| Edited by | Ritesh Soni |
| Music by | Sohail Sen |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Yash Raj Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 145 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (transl. My Brother's Bride) is a 2011 IndianHindi-languageromantic comedy film written and directed byAli Abbas Zafar in his directorial debut, and produced byAditya Chopra under theYash Raj Films banner. The film starsImran Khan,Katrina Kaif,Ali Zafar, andTara D'Souza.[1] In the film, Kush Agnihotri (Khan) is asked to find a suitable bride for his brother, Luv (Zafar) and reconects with Dimple Dixit (Kaif), an eccentric and spirited woman from his past, and arranges her engagement to Luv—only for complications to arise when he and Dimple develop feelings for each other before the wedding.
The film marked Khan's first collaboration with Yash Raj Films, and the second for both Kaif and Zafar afterNew York (2009). It also marked the Bollywood debut of Ali Zafar and D’Souza. Development began in August 2010, after Zafar, then anassistant director at the studio, pitched multiple scripts.Principal photography took place from September to November 2010 across several locations includingDelhi,Haryana,Punjab,Uttarakhand,Uttar Pradesh, andHimachal Pradesh.
Originally slated for release in July 2011, the film was postponed and premiered theatrically on 9 September 2011.Mere Brother Ki Dulhan received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed at the lead performances, humor, screenplay, and soundtrack. The film emerged as a commercial success, grossing ₹856 million (US$10 million) worldwide.[2] At the57th Filmfare Awards, the film earned two nominations:Best Actress (Kaif) andBest Music Director (Sohail Sen).
After ending his relationship with his girlfriend, Piyali Patel, inLondon, Luv Agnihotri asks his younger brother, Kush—aMumbai-based assistant film director and photographer—to find him a suitable bride. Kush returns toDehradun to meet his parents, retired army officerColonel Swarnik Agnihotri and homemaker Kanak. Together, they travel across India for brides found through Swarnik's connections in search of a potential match for Luv, but without success. At the suggestion of Kush’s friends, the family places a matrimonial advertisement in a newspaper.
They receive a response from Dilip Dixit who is working in Foreign Office, a father seeking a groom for his daughter. When the Agnihotris visit the Dixit family inDelhi, Kush is surprised to discover that the prospective bride is Dimple Dixit, a free-spirited and outspoken woman he had briefly met five years earlier during a college trip. Despite their contrasting personalities, Kush encourages Dimple to consider the match. After meeting Luv online, Dimple agrees to the marriage. Her brother Ajay decides the wedding should take place in Agra with a view of theTaj Mahal.
As preparations begin, Kush realizes he has developed feelings for Dimple. On the advice of his best friend, he confesses his love. Dimple, who had tried to signal her own feelings earlier, initially reacts with frustration but eventually reciprocates. Dimple decides that elopment is their only option but Kush disagrees prompting Dimple to mix sleeping pills in his water and then run away. When Kush wakes up he convinces Dimple that this is not the right way as they will be estranged from their families for life. They along with Ajay and Kush's friends devise a plan to reunite Luv with Piyali. Dimple invites Piyali to the wedding under the pretense of being a childhood friend. Luv and Piyali reconnect and elope the next day, later informing both families through letters.
In the aftermath, Swarnik and Dilip initially quarrel but ultimately agree to save face by arranging a marriage between Kush and Dimple. Kush consents on the condition that Luv and Piyali are accepted by both families. The request is granted, and both couples are married in a grand joint ceremony.
Yash Raj Films announced the then-untitled project on 5 August 2010.[4] The film marked the directorial and writing debut of Ali Abbas Zafar, who had previously served as anassistant director on several Yash Raj Films productions includingJhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007),Tashan (2008),New York (2009), andBadmaash Company (2010). Lead actorImran Khan described the film as a "comedy of errors."[5] Following the studio's prior success with debutant directorManeesh Sharma onBand Baaja Baaraat (2010), this became the second consecutive Yash Raj production to be helmed by a first-time filmmaker formerly employed by the company.
Zafar, a native ofDehradun—where a portion of the narrative is set—submitted three romantic storylines to producerAditya Chopra.Mere Brother Ki Dulhan was eventually selected for development, after which Zafar began work on the screenplay, which spanned 150 pages.[5] Prior to entering the film industry, Zafar had been active in theatre and was associated with The Players, the drama society ofKirori Mal College atDelhi University.
In the months leading up to release, the film drew comparisons to the American romantic comedyDan in Real Life (2007), in which a man falls in love with his brother's partner.[6] It was also likened toMere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai (2002), an earlier Yash Raj production with similar narrative elements.[7]
The casting ofImran Khan andKatrina Kaif in the lead roles was announced concurrently with the film's initial press release.[4] Though this marked their first on-screen pairing, the two actors had previously been signed to appear in the indefinitely postponed7 Days in Paris, directed bySanjay Gadhvi. Khan made his debut for Yash Raj with this film, while Kaif had earlier collaborated with the studio onNew York (2009), where she worked with Zafar, then serving as assistant director. Her availability forMere Brother Ki Dulhan arose following delays in the production ofDostana 2.[8][9] The role was reported as a departure from Kaif’s previous screen personas.[10]
The part of Luv Agnihotri was played by singer-actorAli Zafar (no relation to the director), marking his second Bollywood appearance following critical praise forTere Bin Laden (2010). He announced his involvement via social media and referred to the casting as "a dream come true."[11][12] Zafar also performed the singing for his character in the film, which he described as a "parallel lead role."[13] The cast also included newcomer Tara D’Souza, a formerKingfisher model, in a supporting role.
On 17 October 2010, multiple media outlets reported thatPreity Zinta had been cast in an unspecified "glamorous role,"[14] but the actress refuted these claims on Twitter the same day.[15]
Principal photography began on 25 September 2010, with the initial schedule based inPataudi,[16] followed by shoots inChandigarh,[17]Agra,[12]Dehradun,[18]Mussoorie,[19]Haridwar,[5]Dhanaulti,[18]Punjab,[19] andHimachal Pradesh.[19] Filming spanned 45 days across northern India before concluding inMumbai.[20] Kaif joined the production on 27 September, while also balancing her commitments toTees Maar Khan (2010) andZindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011).[21]
During the early days of filming, on 29 September 2010, Kaif sustained a minor nose injury during a comic scene shot atPataudi Palace, when a prop gun handled by Khan accidentally struck her face.[22] She later clarified the incident as unintentional, stating, "These things happen... It was one of the really madcap scenes."[21]
In another on-set occurrence, Kaif slapped Khan multiple times for a scene that required numerous retakes at Khan's request, to offer the director a variety of options.[23] Later, during filming inNabha, Kaif’s hair became entangled in a fan. The situation was quickly controlled by co-starAli Zafar and a crew member, who both sustained minor injuries in the process.[24]
The film's official title,Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, was announced on 2 October 2010, accompanied by promotional stills.[25] Ahead of the release, Zafar stated that Kaif had promised to appear in a music video with him if the film earned more than ₹600 million at the box office.[26]
The film's soundtrack and background score were composed bySohail Sen, with lyrics written byIrshad Kamil.[27] The album consists of six original tracks and two remixes, and was released on 10 August 2011 under the Yash Raj Music label.[28]
Among the songs, "Madhubala"—sung by cast memberAli Zafar and picturised onKatrina Kaif—served as a tribute to the iconic Hindi film actressMadhubala.[29]
Yash Raj Films initially targeted a July 2011 release forMere Brother Ki Dulhan.[30][31] However, the release was later postponed to 16 September 2011. In a notable shift from the studio's traditionally guarded promotional strategy, the title and initial promotional stills were made public just one week into production—an approach that contrasted with their previous practice of delaying such announcements until closer to the film’s release.
The film was released theatrically inPakistan on 9 September 2011, ahead of its Indian premiere.
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan opened to strong box office collections in India, earning ₹75 million net on its first day.[32] Over its opening weekend, the film collected ₹255 million net,[33] and held steadily on Monday with an additional ₹37.5 million, bringing its four-day total to ₹290 million net.[34] By the end of its first week, it had grossed ₹378 million (US$4.5 million) net domestically. The film concluded its theatrical run in India with a total net collection of ₹772 million (US$9.1 million), contributing to a worldwide gross of ₹938 million (US$11 million) against a production budget of ₹320 million (US$3.8 million).[35]
Internationally, the film earned approximately ₹200 million (US$2.4 million) from overseas markets.
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise directed atKatrina Kaif’s performance, the music, and the film’s lighthearted tone.
Taran Adarsh ofBollywood Hungama gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as "a delectably wholesome, heartening, feel-good entertainer."[36]India Weekly also awarded the film 4 out of 5 stars.[37]Dainik Bhaskar rated it 3 out of 5 stars, calling it "a treat for Katrina's fans, as it will be an experience to witness her talent."[38]
Komal Nahta ofKoimoi gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, noting its "reasonable entertainment value, very good music, and exciting song picturisations," though he also mentioned that "the screenplay dips at a few places; a few comic scenes seem forced."[39]Sukanya Verma ofRediff.com rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars, writing, "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is a pretty ordinary effort," but commended its energetic performances.[40]Kaveree Bamzai ofIndia Today gave the film the same score, noting that "a large part of the film is a spoof" with mixed success.[41]
In a more critical take, Gaurav Malani ofThe Times of India felt the screenplay did not fully explore its potential and wrote that "the writing is shallow and resorts to a convenient climax."[42] Krita Coelho ofGulf News described it as a film to "watch if you're a sucker for a sweet Bollywood romance."[43]Reuters referred to the film as "a fun, good one-time watch" for viewers willing to overlook certain flaws.[43]
Rahul Gangwani ofFilmfare gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, remarking that "the film ultimately belongs to Kaif. She sparkles, sizzles and infuses energy into the film," citing a scene in which she mimics ashehnai rendition fromSwades as a standout.[44] Conversely,Rajeev Masand ofCNN-IBN rated the film 2 out of 5, writing, "The film doesn't always work because it relies too heavily on silly stereotypes and clichés, and because you can see exactly where it's going from the moment you settle into your seat."[45]
Other publications such asHamara Bollywood also responded positively, with the outlet awarding 4 out of 5 stars and stating that Kaif's performance alone "is worth paying the admission price."[46][47]
| Award | Date of the ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producers Guild Film Awards | 27 January 2012 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Katrina Kaif | Nominated | [48] |
| Best Female Playback Singer | Neha Bhasin(for "Dhunki") | Nominated | |||
| Filmfare Awards | 29 January 2012 | Best Actress | Katrina Kaif | Nominated | [49] |
| Best Music Director | Sohail Sen | Nominated | |||
| Stardust Awards | 10 February 2012 | Actor of the Year – Female | Katrina Kaif | Nominated | [50] |
| Best Actress in a Comedy or Romance | Nominated | ||||
| Superstar of Tomorrow – Male | Ali Zafar | Won | |||
| Screen Awards | 14 February 2012 | Best Actor (Popular Choice) | Imran Khan | Nominated | [51] |
| Best Actress (Popular Choice) | Katrina Kaif | Nominated | |||
| IIFA Awards | 7–9 June 2012 | Best Music Director | Sohail Sen | Nominated | [52] |
