Janhvi Kapoor : Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Movie Review

Introduction

The latest Bollywood romantic comedy Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari has finally hit the screens on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Dussehra. Directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced under the banner of Dharma Productions, this film features a big ensemble cast including Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf. Wikipedia

Because Janhvi Kapoor is one of the lead actors, many eyes (and expectations) turned toward her performance. Fans and critics are already sharing strong opinions. In this article, we’ll break down what works and what doesn’t, and we’ll see how her fans are reacting online.

Plot & Premise (Without Giving Major Spoilers)

At its core, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a rom-com built around wedding chaos, love triangles, and twists of fate.

Sunny (played by Varun Dhawan) and Tulsi (played by Janhvi Kapoor) are exes whose former partners — Vikram (Rohit Saraf) and Ananya (Sanya Malhotra) — are now set to marry each other.
In a bid to win back their old flames, Sunny and Tulsi gatecrash the wedding preparations, leading to comedic confusion, emotional confrontations, and romantic tensions.
The movie is packed with colorful wedding ceremonies, loud entertaining musical sequences, and dramatic moments between families.

The setup is familiar — Bollywood has seen many wedding-based rom-coms before — so the freshness of execution becomes very important. The film runs for about 135 minutes (2 hours 15 minutes approx).

What Works — The Strengths

Janhvi Kapoor’s Comic Timing & Charm Many fans are praising Janhvi Kapoor for her performance in a lighter, more playful role than some of her past films. On social media, she is being singled out for delivering humorous lines and expressions that land well. A sample reaction: “#JanhviKapoor as Tulsi literally made the movie 100x funnier. Every line, every expression was perfection.” For fans of Janhvi, seeing her in a more comedic avatar has been refreshing, especially since many of her earlier roles have skewed dramatic or emotional.
On-Screen Chemistry with Varun Dhawan The chemistry between Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor is often highlighted as one of the movie’s biggest pluses. Since they had previously worked together in Bawaal, there is already a sense of familiarity in their pairing. Audiences say their energy together feels vibrant and engaging. This helps in keeping the film lively even when the plot is predictable.
Color, Music & Festive Visuals In a film about weddings, visuals and music are critical. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari delivers on that front — the sets are bright, costumes are flashy, and the song sequences are well choreographed. Songs like “Bijuria” and “Panwadi” (in its remixed version) are already getting attention in promotions. These festive visuals help elevate the mood and make it a fun watch for families and casual viewers.
Feel-Good, Light Entertainment Many netizens and critics describe the film as a “feel-good family entertainer” — a movie you can enjoy without needing to overthink the plot. For audiences looking for a break from heavy, dark, or intense cinema, it offers a chance to relax and enjoy the romance, banter, and drama.

What Doesn’t Work — The Weaknesses

Predictable Storyline & Clichés One of the main criticisms is that the film leans heavily on familiar tropes — wedding sagas, family drama, love triangles, and emotional speeches. Critics point out that it brings very little that feels new. The Indian Express review says it “has nothing new to offer” and falls into standard Bollywood formulas. Because the structure is so recognizable, the film often feels derivative rather than original.
Lack of Emotional Depth While the movie is entertaining in parts, it is criticized for being shallow — focusing more on spectacle than genuine emotional stakes. Some characters feel underwritten. For instance, the motivations of the protagonists are occasionally not fleshed out fully, making certain decisions seem forced or superficial.
Supporting Characters Not Given Room Some reviews mention that actors like Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf, despite being important to the story, are not as well served by the script. Their characters feel sidelined at times or not given enough screen time to shine. There is also criticism from fans: when the song “Perfect” was released with visuals featuring only Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, many expressed disappointment that Sanya Malhotra was left out of the picturisation.
Overemphasis on Spectacle Over Substance The film often lets grand visuals, dramatic musical numbers, and glitzy sets take center stage — sometimes at the expense of narrative coherence. There are moments where the story loses momentum or becomes cluttered with too many threads trying to compete for attention.

Fan Reactions & Online Buzz

Fans and viewers on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have been vocal since the film’s release. The reception is broadly positive with caveats.

Praises from Fans

Many fans gave the film glowing reviews, saying it delivered exactly what it promised: fun, romance, and drama. “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is crafted for the masses as well as families… It delivers exactly what it promises — fun, emotions, and entertainment in ample measure.”
A few fans predict big box office success: “Varun Dhawan’s Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is going to [be] an epic blockbuster…”
Many highlight Janhvi Kapoor in their praise. Her fans especially note that her new avatar is a step forward from her past roles.

Mixed / Critical Responses

Some viewers said the film is just “okay for once” — enjoyable but not special.
A few outright negative reactions surfaced: “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari was the worst film of all time.”
“Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari rating: 1.5 stars.”
One fan pointed out balancing problems: “Varun Dhawan aur Janhvi Kapoor, Rohit Saraf aur Sanya Malhotra ke aage pani kam chai lag rahe.” (In front of Rohit and Sanya, Varun and Janhvi’s spark feels less) PINKVILLA

Controversies & Side Talk

At the trailer launch event, Varun Dhawan reportedly interrupted Janhvi Kapoor while she was speaking about AI misuse and deepfake ethics. Many netizens criticized that move as poorly timed and dismissive.
The omission of Sanya Malhotra from the visuals of the song “Perfect” sparked debates about how supporting actors are treated in promotions.

These side stories also served to ignite further social media debates around the film beyond just its content.

Critical Reviews & Ratings

While fans are mixed in their views, professional critics have given a variety of responses — from moderate praise to criticism.

India Express rated it 2/5 and said it leans too heavily on familiar tropes, offering little originality.
Gulf News said the film entertains in patches but doesn’t deeply commit to its themes.
Some outlets call it a “glossy confection” — visually pleasing but emotionally light. India Forums

Overall, many critics agree: the film is best consumed as a light rom-com with fun moments, rather than a deeply meaningful cinematic experience.

Box Office & Commercial Prospects

Given the holiday release (Dussehra + Gandhi Jayanti), the producers likely aimed for a strong opening.

Advance bookings and initial reports suggest the film expected an opening in the range of ₹8–10 crore.
On day one, by early afternoon, it had already collected over ₹2 crore.
However, the film faces stiff competition from Kantara: Chapter 1, which is a big regional success and has a strong pan-India presence.
Director Shashank Khaitan has acknowledged the clash but insisted the competition is not a straightforward one.

The film’s performance over the next few days will depend heavily on word of mouth and whether it can sustain audience interest beyond the holiday rush.

Final Verdict: Worth Watching for Janhvi Kapoor Fans

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is not a flawless film. It struggles with predictability, underused characters, and emotional shallowness at times. But it does offer entertainment — colorful visuals, catchy songs, and a pleasant vibe. For fans of lighter Bollywood fare, especially those who follow Janhvi Kapoor, it has enough to enjoy.

If I were to give a recommendation: go in expecting a fun, festive watch. Don’t expect it to be groundbreaking, but if you like rom-coms, it delivers moments worth smiling over — and Janhvi Kapoor’s performance is a highlight in many of them.

Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are based on publicly available sources, media reports, and audience reactions. We do not claim ownership of any movie stills, posters, or media referenced herein. All trademarks, images, and copyrights belong to their respective owners and are used under fair use for commentary, news reporting, and review purposes. Any resemblance of generated images to real persons, living or deceased, is purely coincidental. Readers are encouraged to watch the film themselves before forming final opinions.