Thank God

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*Thank God* (2022) is an official remake of the 2009 Danish film *Sorte Kugler* (*What Goes Around*), blending comedy with life lessons in an escapist fantasy setup. The story follows Ayaan Kapoor (Sidharth Malhotra), a frustrated, self-centered, and bankrupt real estate agent. His strained relationships with his wife Ruhi (Rakul Preet Singh) and daughter Pihu (Kiara Khanna) add to his emotional turmoil. After a life-altering accident, Ayaan finds himself in the afterlife, where he's sent to a giant stadium full of souls. There, he's forced to play a game show called *The Game of Life*, hosted by Chitragupta (Ajay Devgn), where his actions in life are judged.

The premise involves Ayaan being given a second chance to reflect on his life through a series of game-like rounds. Each round makes him confront his past mistakes, teaching him humility, the importance of relationships, and how to appreciate what he has. Chitragupta serves as a friend and guide throughout this process, imparting lessons with a mix of humor and wisdom. The film's message is clear: life is about growth, accepting one’s flaws, and embracing change.

While the film delivers an over-the-top, comedic take on these life lessons, it ultimately follows the typical pattern of escapist fantasies—offering a protagonist many second chances to improve. The film's tone and style are very much in line with director Indra Kumar's usual formula, where exaggerated emotions and morality lessons take center stage. The overarching lesson is simple but poignant: karma will catch up with you if you don't live righteously, and men, in particular, need divine intervention to evolve.

Despite its lighthearted nature, the film’s best moments come from the emotional depth in Ayaan's relationships, particularly with his parents, played by Kanwaljit Singh and Seema Pahwa. Their grounded performances add a touch of sincerity to the otherwise whimsical plot. Sidharth Malhotra plays the immature Ayaan with comedic charm, delivering spot-on reaction shots that add to the humor. However, Rakul Preet Singh's role as the caring wife is underutilized, leaving you wanting more from her character.

Ajay Devgn steals the show with his portrayal of Chitragupta, bringing his comedic timing and gravitas to the role. His performance is full of warmth, and it’s clear he relishes playing the all-knowing game show host guiding Ayaan toward self-realization.

*Thank God* is an entertaining, light-hearted watch with some genuine humor and emotional moments. While it doesn't break new ground, it does deliver the feel-good factor typical of films that offer a second chance at life. If you're in the mood for a whimsical journey through a protagonist’s growth, *Thank God* might just provide the fun you're looking for. Afterward, though, you might want to revisit *It’s A Wonderful Life* (1946), the iconic film that inspired this genre of alternate-life fantasies.