‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ review: Ayushmann Khurrana leads a chaotic family comedy packed with laughs

What happens when a faithful husband is spotted by his wife with two women, one their mutual friend and the other a stranger, in suspicious situations leading to chaos in their married life? That is the central premise of ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’, director Mudassar Aziz’s latest comedy, which released in theatres on Friday.

Starring Ayushmann Khurrana as IFS officer Prajapati Panday, the film follows his otherwise peaceful life taking a dramatic turn when his wife Aparna, played by Wamiqa Gabbi, sees him in compromising situations with their friend Nilofer Khan, portrayed by Rakul Preet Singh, and Chanchal Kumari, played by Sara Ali Khan. The incidents trigger a series of hilarious misunderstandings, throwing his married life into complete chaos that is sure to make you laugh.

Before diving into whether this romantic comedy works or not, it’s worth addressing the ‘infidelity’ chatter that surfaced online after the trailer release. ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ does not, by any means, endorse or promote infidelity. While the trailer may suggest situations that appear to hint at cheating, the film handles the subject sensitively. Built around a series of misunderstandings, it delivers a clean family entertainer and puts to rest the speculation that it attempts to normalise cheating.

Moving beyond the debate, the film’s craft deserves a closer look. Mudassar has not only directed the film but also written it, while co-writing the screenplay with Ravi Kumar. ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ is the kind of film that works best when watched without overanalyzing the logic — surrender to its chaos, and it keeps you entertained. While the writing may not feel particularly fresh, even with the dialogue, the film’s comedy still manages to leave you entertained.

Coming to the performances, the lead cast largely holds the film together. Ayushmann once again proves his ease in portraying characters that are both warm and effortlessly funny when the situation demands. Wamiqa, as his aspiring journalist wife, determined to launch her own news channel, delivers a sincere performance.

Among the female leads, Rakul plays her part with conviction, though the role doesn’t quite offer enough scope to showcase her full range, especially after the standout performance she delivered in ‘De De Pyaar De 2’. Sara, on the other hand, emerges as a pleasant surprise. Her performance feels natural rather than attention-seeking, making her character instantly endearing and a fresh break from her past performances, where she tried to be funny but failed miserably.

The supporting cast further adds to the film’s charm. ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ boasts a strong supporting ensemble that adds several laughs to the story. With actors like Tigmanshu Dhulia, Vijay Raaz, Ayesha Raza Mishra, and Deepika Amin, the film benefits from performers who rarely disappoint, regardless of whether the scene calls for intense drama or understated comedy.

Adding to the humour are Guneet Singh Sodhi and Durgesh Kumar, as Surinder and Mahinder, respectively, who also leave a mark. Their characters bring a smile every time they appear on screen, adding to the film’s easygoing humour.

On the technical front, credit also goes to the VFX team for showcasing animals that don’t look fake and are very close to looking real. However, one aspect that may leave viewers disappointed is its music. While the background score works in parts and supports a few key moments, the songs fail to make an impact. None of the tracks leave a lasting impression, and the sheer number of songs ends up interrupting the flow, often derailing the storytelling rather than enhancing it.

Still, despite these hiccups, Mudassar and his team manage to deliver something increasingly rare today: a comedy that is not just funny, but also genuinely family-friendly. At a time when many filmmakers rely on crass humour to force laughs, ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh Do’ stands out as a clean entertainer, one that can be comfortably watched with both elders and children without any awkwardness.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars