Raksha Bandhan (2022)

Raksha Bandhan feels special because it starts like a bustling Old Delhi comedy—warm, noisy, full of chaat-shop charm—and quietly grows into something more tender and urgent about what we owe our families and what traditions can cost. Aanand L. Rai stages the sibling bond with an everyday intimacy that sneaks up on you, and Akshay Kumar anchors it with a performance that’s funny, stubborn, and ultimately disarmingly human, while Bhumi Pednekar brings a grounded steadiness to the love story running alongside the chaos. The film’s emotional pull comes from how earnestly it treats its characters’ flaws and hopes, letting laughter and heartbreak share the same room without feeling manipulative. It won’t be for everyone if you prefer subtle social commentary or a lighter, purely comic ride, but if you want a heartfelt family drama that aims straight for the heart and means it, this one delivers.

Raksha Bandhan clearly wants to be a heartfelt Old Delhi family dramedy that calls out dowry and celebrates sibling duty, and you can feel Aanand L. Rai aiming for that bittersweet, crowd-pleasing mix. The problem is the film keeps undercutting its own message with tone-deaf, outdated jokes and broad, crass writing that makes serious issues feel like setup for punchlines. It also leans heavily on Akshay Kumar’s star turn and melodrama, which can leave the sisters—who should be the emotional center—feeling more like plot devices than fully lived-in people. If you like loud, sentimental “message movies” and can tolerate uneven humor, there’s warmth and a few sincere moments here; if you want nuanced social commentary or sharper comedy, this may test your patience.