Film

Tanu Weds Manu: Returns

Name: Tanu Weds Manu: Returns
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Released: 2015
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, R. Madhavan, Jimmy Shergill, Deepak Dobriyal, Swara Bhasker

Romantic comedy
Light-hearted

A Hindi romantic comedy where a marriage falls apart, the husband falls for his ex-wife's lookalike, and buried feelings resurface. It's clever, energetic, and genuinely funny—Kangana Ranaut plays dual roles with flair. The film finds genuine emotion under the chaos. For anyone who loves romantic comedies that don't insult your intelligence.

TMDb rating

3.5

If you liked this

Pyaar Ka Punchnama2011

A sharp, funny dissection of modern relationships and the absurdities of dating in Delhi. It launched a whole new tone for Hindi rom-coms—witty, self-aware, and unafraid to be crude. If you loved Tanu Weds Manu's energy, this is essential.

But The comedy is very male-gaze-heavy and some of it hasn't aged brilliantly. It's also quite long and the structure gets messy in the second half.

Cocktail2012

Smartly written romantic comedy about modern urban relationships, with real chemistry between leads and dialogue that actually makes you laugh. It moves fast and trusts the audience to keep up, which Tanu Weds Manu does too.

But Some of the gender politics feel dated and patronizing on a rewatch. The third act ties things up too neatly for what the film had built.

Badhaai Ho2018

A joyful ensemble comedy that finds real heart in messy family dynamics and unexpected situations. The performances are warm and funny, and it doesn't rely on cruelty to land its jokes. Genuinely charming.

But It's gentler and less anarchic than Tanu Weds Manu. If you want that rapid-fire chaos, this will feel a bit sedate.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Tanu Weds Manu: Returns

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Piku2015

Both films centre female agency and find comedy in how modern Indian women navigate their own lives, not how they fit into someone else's story.

A film about a woman caring for an ageing parent that's somehow hilarious, touching, and adult in its sensibilities. It's the same year as Tanu Weds Manu: Returns and operates in the same headspace—finding comedy in real life, treating women as protagonists, trusting the audience. Deepti's independence is the core of the film.

But It's very dependent on Delhi and its culture—if that doesn't resonate with you, some of the humour will land differently. The central relationship between parent and child won't appeal to everyone.

Khosla Ka Ghosla!2006

A witty heist-comedy about a middle-class family fighting a corrupt builder. The writing is sharp, the ensemble cast is perfectly used, and it finds humour in real situations. Proof that Hindi cinema can be clever and funny without being cynical.

But It's older and the technical quality shows. The pacing is slower than modern comedies and it won't feel as kinetic as Tanu Weds Manu.

Vicky Donor2012

A smart comedy that tackles a genuinely taboo subject with warmth and humour. Ayushmann Khurrana is charming, the dialogue is funny, and it manages to say something real about modern India without preaching.

But The tone can be uneven—it swings between broad comedy and serious drama in ways that don't always work. Some subplots feel underdeveloped.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha2015

A romance that's genuinely funny and surprisingly progressive about body image. The leads have great chemistry, and the film balances comedy with real emotion without ever feeling saccharine.

But It relies heavily on fat jokes early on, which some viewers will find uncomfortable. The second half gets more earnest and less funny than the first.

Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na2008

A bright, energetic romantic comedy about two people in denial about their feelings. The dialogue sparkles, the supporting cast is excellent, and it has real affection for its characters. It moves like Tanu Weds Manu—fast and fun.

But It's very much a product of its time and some of the humour feels broad now. The plot is fairly predictable and doesn't have real surprises.

Raees2017

Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan have electric chemistry in this slick crime romance. It's entertaining, stylishly made, and moves at a cracking pace. If you want something with similar energy but a different genre, this scratches that itch.

But The plot is fairly standard underworld stuff and it doesn't say anything particularly original. Some of the violence feels gratuitous and the ending is predictable.

Dil Dhadakne Do2015

An ensemble romance about marriage and family set on a cruise ship. It's funny, well-acted, and has moments of real insight about long-term relationships. Ranveer Singh is brilliant and the film doesn't waste its supporting cast.

But It's overstuffed with subplots and some don't go anywhere. At nearly two-and-a-half hours, it can feel like the film is working harder than it needs to.

Wake Up Sid2009

Both films understand that the best romantic comedies are actually about self-knowledge—their protagonists fall in love partly by discovering who they actually are.

A love story that's genuinely about two people growing up and becoming themselves, not about conquest. It's smart, funny, beautifully shot, and has real emotional stakes. The performances are immaculate and the Delhi backdrop feels lived-in. This film understands how people actually talk to each other.

But It's quieter and less frantic than Tanu Weds Manu, relying more on character observation than plot momentum. Some viewers find it too gentle to sustain interest across two hours.

Article 152019

Ayushmann Khurrana, but more importantly: both films are genuinely interested in how modern India actually works beneath the surface, and both trust their audience to follow them into uncomfortable places.

A social thriller that uses the mechanics of a police procedural to explore caste violence and discrimination. It's gripping, well-crafted, and genuinely angry about injustice without being didactic. Ayushmann Khurrana gives the best performance of his career and the film treats its subject with the seriousness it deserves.

But It's a tonal and genre leap from romance—this is dark and disturbing where Tanu Weds Manu is fun. It's explicitly about atrocity and systemic cruelty, which some viewers will find overwhelming.