Movies are a big part of our lives. They entertain us, make us laugh, cry, or think deeply about the world. Some movies tell stories of love, some show action, and others focus on family. Watching a movie is like taking a little trip away from our daily routine. But with so many movies out there, how do we know which ones are worth our time? That’s where reviews come in. A good review tells us what to expect—whether the story is strong, the acting is great, or if it’s just not worth watching. In this article, we’ll dive into a detailed review of the movie Raksha Bandhan. Let’s explore its story, strengths, weaknesses, and more!
Raksha Bandhan – Movie Review
Release Date and Box Office Collection
Raksha Bandhan hit theaters on August 11, 2022, in India. It was released on a special day, matching the festival of Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day. According to Wikipedia, the movie made ₹52.82 crore (about US$6 million) in India and ₹8.76 crore (about US$1 million) overseas. That brings its total worldwide collection to ₹61.58 crore (about US$7 million). It had a budget of around ₹70 crore, so sadly, it didn’t do well at the box office and was called a “flop.”
| Box Office Details | Amount |
|---|---|
| India Gross Collection | ₹52.82 crore |
| Overseas Gross Collection | ₹8.76 crore |
| Worldwide Gross Collection | ₹61.58 crore |
| Budget (Estimated) | ₹70 crore |
| Verdict | Box Office Flop |
Storyline Summary
Raksha Bandhan is a family comedy-drama about a man named Lala Kedarnath, played by Akshay Kumar. Lala lives in Old Delhi and runs a small chaat shop called Premlata Chat Bhandar. He’s the oldest brother to four sisters—Gayatri, Durga, Laxmi, and Saraswati. When their mother dies, she makes Lala promise to get his sisters married before he marries himself. Lala loves a girl named Sapna (Bhumi Pednekar), but he puts his sisters first.
The story shows Lala’s struggle to find good husbands for his sisters. Each sister has something that makes it hard—Laxmi has dark skin, Durga is overweight, and Saraswati acts tough like a boy. Lala works hard, saves money, and faces many challenges. The movie mixes funny moments with serious ones, showing how much Lala cares for his family. In the end, it’s about love, sacrifice, and the bond between brothers and sisters.
Strengths of the Movie
Here are some things Raksha Bandhan does really well:
- Acting: Akshay Kumar shines as Lala. He makes you feel his love and stress as a big brother. Bhumi Pednekar is sweet and strong as Sapna, and the actresses playing the sisters (Sadia Khateeb, Sahejmeen Kaur, Smrithi Srikanth, and Deepika Khanna) do a great job too.
- Emotional Moments: The second half gets serious and touches your heart. Scenes where Lala fights for his sisters or talks about family values are powerful.
- Message: The movie speaks against the dowry system—where families pay money to marry off daughters. It’s a bold and good message for society.
- Music: Songs like “Tere Saath Hoon Main” and “Kangan Ruby” by Himesh Reshammiya are catchy and fit the family vibe. The lyrics by Irshad Kamil are simple yet meaningful.
Flaws of the Movie
Even though it has good parts, Raksha Bandhan has some problems:
- Outdated Ideas: Some jokes about the sisters’ looks—like their skin color or weight—feel old-fashioned and not funny. It’s called body shaming, and it upset some viewers.
- Too Preachy: The movie tries hard to teach lessons, but sometimes it feels like a lecture instead of a story. This makes it less fun.
- Slow Parts: The first half is light and silly, but it drags a bit. The pacing could’ve been faster.
- Mixed Comedy: The funny scenes don’t always work. Some are akward or forced, which takes away from the emotions.
Who Would Enjoy This Movie?
Raksha Bandhan is perfect for:
- People who love family stories about brothers and sisters.
- Fans of Akshay Kumar who like seeing him in emotional roles.
- Anyone who enjoys movies with a strong message about society.
- Families looking for a film to watch together on a holiday like Raksha Bandhan.
If you don’t like slow movies or outdated jokes, you might not enjoy it as much.
| Cast Details | Actor/Actress |
|---|---|
| Lala Kedarnath (Brother) | Akshay Kumar |
| Sapna (Love Interest) | Bhumi Pednekar |
| Gayatri (Sister) | Sadia Khateeb |
| Durga (Sister) | Deepika Khanna |
| Laxmi (Sister) | Smrithi Srikanth |
| Saraswati (Sister) | Sahejmeen Kaur |
| Director | Aanand L. Rai |
| Writers | Himanshu Sharma, Kanika Dhillon |
Why Raksha Bandhan Matters
Raksha Bandhan tries to show the beauty of family love, especially between siblings. The title comes from a real Indian festival where sisters tie a thread (rakhi) on their brothers’ wrists, and brothers promise to protect them. The movie takes this idea and builds a whole story around it. Even though it didn’t make a lot of money, it’s a film with a big heart. Director Aanand L. Rai, known for movies like Tanu Weds Manu, wanted to mix laughs with tears, and he partly succeeds.
The movie also talks about real problems in India, like dowry and how people judge girls based on looks. These are serious topics, and it’s brave to put them in a comedy-drama. But because some parts feel old or too heavy, it didn’t connect with everyone. Critics gave it mixed reviews—some loved Akshay’s acting, while others said it could’ve been more entertaining.
Final Thoughts
Raksha Bandhan is a movie that wants to make you feel good about family. It has funny moments, sad moments, and a big lesson about love and duty. Akshay Kumar is the star, carrying the film with his honest acting. The music is nice, and the story has a warm feel. But it’s not perfect—some jokes don’t land, and it can feel slow or preachy.
If you’re looking for a light, emotional watch with your family, give it a try. Just don’t expect a fast or super modern movie. It’s best for people who like simple stories with a big heart. Even tho it flopped at the box office, it’s still worth watching for its message and Akshay’s effort.
So, grab some popcorn, sit with your loved ones, and see what you think of Raksha Bandhan. It might not be a hit, but it’s got soul!
Fun Facts
- The movie was announced on August 3, 2020, during the Raksha Bandhan festival.
- Akshay Kumar dedicated it to his real sister, Alka Hiranandani, who helped produce it.
- Filming started in 2021 and wrapped up in Delhi by December.
