Mere Husband Ki Biwi Movie Review : An entertaining fare despite the familiar premise

Story: Ankur (Arjun Kapoor) finds love five years after a bitter divorce from Prabhleen (Bhumi Pednekar). As he decides to marry Antara (Rakul Preet Singh), his ex-wife returns with retrograde amnesia and tries to win him back. Whom will Ankur choose?

Review: Ankur Chaddha is haunted by relentless nightmares of his ex-wife, Prabhleen Kaur—so much so that even the thought of dating feels impossible. That changes when he reconnects with his college crush, Antara Khanna, and the two fall deeply in love. Just as they decide to get married, fate throws an unexpected twist into their lives.

After a near-fatal accident, Prabhleen reappears, suffering from retrograde amnesia that erases the last five years of her memory—including their turbulent marriage and eventual divorce. Following the doctor’s advice to avoid shocking her with the truth, Ankur finds himself trapped in a predicament. With Prabhleen believing they are still together and Antara fighting for their future, a battle between the duo unfolds—one that will determine who ultimately wins his heart.

Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the film begins on an entertaining note, with humourous banter between Ankur and his best friend, Rehan (Harsh Gujral). But the film then follows a predictable storyline of two women battling for the hero’s affection—something we've seen countless times in formulaic 90s Bollywood cinema. A caricatured neurologist, a game of dumb charades, and other tropes—such as pre-wedding festivities in Scotland and the women trying to outdo each other—cause the narrative to lose momentum post-interval.

Prabhleen is painted as a monstrous figure, but as the story delves into flashbacks, Ankur is revealed as a sexist, conventional man with little regard for his wife’s career or aspirations. Like a petulant child, he storms into her workplace, unceremoniously quits the job on her behalf, and then refuses to communicate—yet somehow, he continues to behave as if he were the one wronged. This disconnect makes it difficult for the audience to empathise with him or believe in Antara’s reluctance, driven by her fear that she could never compete with the lingering presence of his ex-wife in his mind.

Arjun Kapoor pulls off a fine act, balancing both comic and emotional moments with ease. Bhumi Pednekar is convincing as a typical Punjabi kudi, but her character feels underdeveloped, with her personality depicted in fragments. The narrative also neglects to explore her life post-divorce, leaving gaps in her arc. Rakul Preet Singh is decent as the strong, yet understanding, London girl who doesn’t hesitate to play dirty when needed.

The most entertaining moments, however, come from stand-up comedian Harsh Gujral. His effortless delivery and impeccable comic timing elevate the humour, especially in scenes where he roasts Arjun Kapoor, making for some of the film’s most enjoyable moments. Dino Morea makes a charming special appearance as Antara’s suave brother.

While this rom-com treads familiar ground with a predictable love story, it has its moments that entertain and elicit laughter.