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T-Series Films, Wakaao Films, Elemen3 Pictures and Reclining Seats Cinema Ltd.’s Double XL (UA) is the story of two oversized women and how they fight all odds to make it big in life. Saira Khanna (Sonakshi Sinha) wants to launch her own fashion label, for which her brother is helping her. She wants an investor and although she is very good at her work, her being overweight comes in the way of her love life and, consequently, in the way of her professional life too. Just by chance, she meets Rajshree Trivedi (Huma Qureshi) who hails from Meerut and is constantly taunted for being obese. Her mother (Alka Badola Kaushal) wants her to get married as soon as possible, but Rajshree wants to pursue her interest in cricket by hosting a cricket show on the leading television channel of the country. Her weight comes in the way of the realisation of her dreams as the channel does not even take her audition. The two ladies collaborate for the shooting of a curtain raiser for Saira’s proposed fashion label with cameraman Srikanth Sreevardhan (Mahat Raghavendra). The trio travels to London for the shooting of the curtain raiser and is joined there by line producer Zorawar (Zaheer Iqbal). How they realise their dreams is what the film is all about.
Mudassar Aziz’s story tackles a fairly fresh topic. However, too much emphasis is laid on the overweight of the two protagonists coming in the way of their professional pursuits rather than jeopardising their personal lives. This is not exactly how the traditional Hindi film-going audience is used to understanding the pain of oversized women. Also, the defiant attitude of the two protagonists (who, in a way, revel in the fact that they are oversized) may be found a bit too much by the viewers if only because in today’s age and time, people are very health-conscious and know the risks involved in being overweight. The screenplay, penned by Sasha Singh and Mudassar Aziz, is fairly good but only in parts. While some portions of the drama do touch the heart, there are others which do not have the desired impact. In such portions (which lack the impact), the drama appears to be merely one about two young women fighting odds (not necessarily because of their excess weight) to make their mark in their work areas. In other words, it often becomes a routine drama about two women who could as well have been normal in size. Mudassar Aziz’s dialogues are impactful at many places. In fact, they are better than the screenplay.
Sonakshi Sinha does a fair job as Saira Khanna. Huma Qureshi is quite good in the role of Rajshree Trivedi; she impresses more in the emotional scenes. Mahat Raghavendra steals the show as Srikanth Sreevardhan. He endears himself completely to the audience with his innocence and sincerity. Zaheer Iqbal is alright as Zorawar. He looks handsome. Alka Badola Kaushal makes her mark as Rajshree’s mother. Kanwaljeet Singh has his moments as Rajshree’s understanding father. Shubha Khote is cute as Rajshree’s grandmother. Jimmy Shergill makes a mark in a special appearance as the TV channel owner. Kapil Dev adds star value in a brief appearance. Shikhar Dhawan is good in a special appearance. Danish Pandor (as Saira Khanna’s boyfriend, Viren) is alright. Sachin Shroff (as Saurabh Bhaiya) has a pleasing presence. Niki Aneja Walia makes her mark as Zorawar’s mother. Jagat Rawat (as Mausaji), Swati Tarar (as Roli mausi), Dolly Singh (as Saira Khanna’s friend, Meera), Digvijay Singh (as Ratan), Isha Dhillon (as Nidhi), Mayank (as Param), Nikhaar (as Amreen), Simran (as the party girl), Himani Singh (as the corporate girl), Mona (as Mona), Harsh (as the delivery guy), Shant (as the shop attendant), Jaspal (as Ratan’s mother), Arun (as Ratan’s father), Deepti (as Bimbo), Norbert Szabo (as the bellboy), Maria Forrester (as the fruit girl), Hollie Jaffrey (as the college girl), Seana Momsen (as Roxanne), Kay Elluvian (as Cicele), Karis Pentecost (as the doctor), Benedict Philipp (as the food counter boy) and the rest lend fair support.
Satram Ramani’s direction is average. Unfortunately, he has not been able to make an arresting drama. Music (Sohail Sen) is very good. Taali taali, Tumse mila doon and Rangeelo manwa are all very melodious songs. Ki jaana (composed by Kanishk Seth) is quite nice. Mudassar Aziz’s lyrics are weighty. Hamid Raju Khan’s choreography is okay. The ramp walk choreography (by Damandeep Singh Chaudhary) is alright. Sohail Sen’s background music is reasonably good. Milind Jog’s cinematography is fairly nice. Sheena Saini’s production designing is fair. Abhishek Anand’s editing is quite sharp.
On the whole, Double XL is an ordinary entertainer but with bleak box-office chances because getting the audience into the cinemas will prove to be an uphill task.
Released on 4-11-’22 at Inox (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was poor everywhere.