Honestly, if you walked into the theater expecting another Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, you probably left feeling a little confused. Or maybe even a bit annoyed. The Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor movie, officially titled Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (TJMM), isn't your standard "boy meets girl, they dance in the rain, and everyone lives happily ever after" fluff.
It’s way more chaotic than that.
Luv Ranjan, the director who basically built a career on "men are victims of relationships," tried to do something different here. He attempted to balance the scales. But did he actually succeed? Well, that depends on who you ask. Some fans think it's the last great Bollywood rom-com, while others think the dialogue sounds like a fast-forwarded podcast.
The Weird, Genius Premise of Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar
The story follows Mickey (Ranbir), a guy who lives a double life. By day, he's the pampered son of a rich Delhi businessman. By night—or whenever the phone rings—he’s a "break-up consultant." Basically, if you’re too cowardly to dump your partner, you pay Mickey to orchestrate a situation where they dump you instead.
Then he meets Tinni (Shraddha Kapoor).
They fall in love. Or at least, they fall into a high-speed relationship that involves a lot of skin, some great songs by Pritam, and a very expensive-looking vacation in Spain. The twist? Tinni wants out, but she doesn't want to be the "bad guy" in front of Mickey’s overbearing, lovable Punjabi family. So, she calls a break-up consultant.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
She calls Mickey. Without knowing it's him.
Why the Dialogue Divides Everyone
You've probably noticed it. The characters in this Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor movie don't talk like human beings. They talk in monologues. Long, rhythmic, breathless monologues that feel like they were written for a slam poetry competition.
Ranbir Kapoor is a master at this. He has this Shashi Kapoor-style flair where he can rattle off five minutes of dialogue without blinking. But for some viewers, it was exhausting. It felt artificial. One Reddit user even joked that the first 30 minutes felt like "drona level script writing."
Breaking Down the Box Office and Budget
Let's talk numbers because they tell a funny story.
Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar was a "hit," but it had a massive "but" attached to it. The film grossed around ₹220 crore worldwide. In the post-pandemic world, that's usually cause for a massive party. However, the budget was reportedly between ₹165 crore and ₹200 crore.
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Why so expensive?
- The COVID Delay: Production dragged on for 180 days because of the pandemic.
- The Locations: Shooting in Mallorca and Besalú (Spain) isn't cheap.
- The VFX: Believe it or not, there was a ton of de-aging and skin-smoothing. Critics pointed out that the actors looked a bit "uncanny valley," with faces so smooth they looked like AI renders.
Even though it's technically the second highest-grossing rom-com of all time after YJHD, the profit margins were thin. It’s an "average" verdict in trade terms, but a "super hit" in terms of cultural footprint.
The Problematic Ending Everyone Argues About
Here is where the movie gets spicy. Tinni is an independent, career-oriented woman who realizes she can't live in a "joint family" circus. She wants her own space. Mickey, on the other hand, is obsessed with his family.
In a "progressive" movie, maybe they’d find a middle ground.
In a Luv Ranjan movie, she ends up moving in with the family.
Critics like those at The Hindu argued that the film ultimately propagates the idea that a woman’s need for independence is just "making much ado about nothing." The climax at the airport—a classic Bollywood trope—was meant to be funny, but for many, it felt like Tinni just gave up her dreams to fit into Mickey’s world.
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
What Actually Worked?
- Anubhav Singh Bassi: The stand-up comic made his debut as Mickey’s best friend, Manu Dabbas. He stole almost every scene he was in.
- Dimple Kapadia: She played the loud, slapping-happy Punjabi mom with so much energy that you almost forgot how toxic the family dynamics actually were.
- The Music: "Tere Pyaar Mein" and "Jhoothi" are genuine bangers. Pritam rarely misses, and here, he was the MVP.
Where Can You Watch It?
If you missed the theatrical run, the Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor movie is currently streaming on Netflix. It's actually one of those films that plays better on a small screen where you can pause and digest the heavy dialogue.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs
If you’re planning to watch or re-watch Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, here’s how to actually enjoy it:
- Don't take the logic seriously: It's a "Luv Ranjan universe." The rules of reality don't apply. People don't recognize voices on the phone, and families are always 10% more insane than in real life.
- Watch for the chemistry: This was the first time Ranbir and Shraddha worked together. Despite the script issues, their "vibe" is undeniably electric.
- Focus on the technicals: Look at the cinematography by Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran. The Spain sequences are basically a high-end travel brochure.
- Listen for the cameos: Keep an eye out for Kartik Aaryan and Nushrratt Bharuccha. It's a nice nod to the director's roots.
The film is a weird hybrid. It's half "new-age relationship drama" and half "old-school family melodrama." It doesn't always work, but it's never boring. Whether you love the ending or hate the "male gaze," it’s a movie that actually tries to say something about the messiness of modern love.
Go watch it for Ranbir's acting masterclass, or just for Shraddha's outfits. Either way, you'll have an opinion by the time the credits roll.