Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar

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*Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar* (2023) is a romantic comedy directed by Luv Ranjan, who is known for his previous films like *Pyaar Ka Punchnama* and *Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety*, which often featured male-centric narratives about love and relationships. This time, however, Ranjan seems to be taking a different approach, presenting a more balanced story that portrays both the hero and heroine as equally involved in a relationship. The film feels like a hybrid of Ranjan's style, combined with influences from Sooraj Barjatya’s family dynamics and Imtiaz Ali’s romantic philosophies.

The story follows Rohan "Mickey" Arora (Ranbir Kapoor), a wealthy and somewhat carefree young man who, along with his best friend Manu (Anubhav Singh Bassi), runs a "break-up" business that helps people amicably end relationships. Their unique business philosophy focuses only on unmarried couples, offering them a clean break. Mickey meets Tinni (Shraddha Kapoor) during a trip to Spain, and what begins as a holiday fling turns into a complicated relationship back in India. While Mickey is deeply in love, Tinni enjoys the independence of her life and becomes overwhelmed by Mickey's close-knit family, leading her to want to end the relationship without causing him pain.

The film’s comedic moments shine when the family dynamics take center stage, especially with Dimple Kapadia playing Mickey’s doting, no-nonsense mother and Boney Kapoor in his acting debut as his caring father. Their presence provides a lot of the film’s charm, with the ensemble scenes offering plenty of laughs. Additionally, the bromance between Ranbir Kapoor and Anubhav Singh Bassi is one of the film's highlights, with their witty exchanges feeling natural and relatable.

The chemistry between Ranbir and Shraddha is another strong point. Shraddha impresses in a role that requires a mix of humor, drama, and romance. She effortlessly handles the varying tones of the film, from lighthearted to emotional. Ranbir, too, delivers a solid performance, effortlessly moving between comedy and more serious moments, making his character both charming and relatable.

*Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar* does manage to stand out as a more mature romantic comedy compared to Ranjan’s earlier films. It avoids the misogyny of *Pyaar Ka Punchnama* and instead presents both leads as human and flawed individuals who try to navigate the complexities of love, independence, and family life. The film’s pacing feels a bit long, especially with a runtime of 164 minutes, but the last 30 minutes provide a payoff with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and heartwarming interactions.

While not without its flaws, the film marks a step forward for Luv Ranjan in terms of storytelling. If you enjoy romantic comedies with family drama and good comic timing, *Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar* offers a fresh take that’s certainly worth a watch.