Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari: 5 Things To Know About The First Bollywood Film Released In Theatres Amid Pandemic

November 2020 marks one exact year from when the first case of coronavirus was reportedly detected in China. It's unbelievable how time flies. Time is also said to heal, but in the case of the cursed pandemic, things have only gotten worse. Despite the rising COVID-19 cases, businesses have resumed, film theatres have reopened, and the world - in a half-cautious, half-hearted way - is trying to get in the groove of what is being touted as the "new normal." Along these lines, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari released in theatres across India on November 15, the first Bollywood film to have done so post-lockdown.

Here are five things to know about this film: 

1. Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, directed by Abhishek Sharma, is a Hindi comedy-satire film that had a theatrical release on November 15, over the Diwali weekend. It was released in compliance with the centre's pandemic mandate of theatres allowing only 50 percent audience occupancy.

2. The film, produced by Zee Studios, stars Diljit Dosanjh, Manoj Bajpayee, and Fatima Sana Shaikh in lead roles, alongside a supporting cast of veterans such as Annu Kapoor, Supriya Pilgaonkar, and Vijay Raaz. Incidentally, Raaz was recently accused of harassment by a crew member on the sets of his upcoming film Sherni. The woman alleged Raaz had forced himself on her. The actor was later released on bail. Read more here.

3. The story is set in 1990s India, where Suraj Singh (Dosanjh) is on the hunt for a bride. Madhu Mangal Rane (Bajpayee), a detective, throws a wrench in his search when he reveals hidden facts about Singh's life to his family. Thus ensues a back-and-forth game of wits between the two, with Rane's sister Tulsi (Shaikh) caught in the comedic crosshairs. The trailer communicates that roles are painfully gendered with tropes, and peppered with crass humour that could have been forgone.

4. This film would be Sharma's sixth directorial venture. Though his repute as a film director isn't among the best in Bollywood, he has previously helmed acclaimed films like Tere Bin Laden and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, which received a nod from critics.

5. Actor Aamir Khan on November 17 posted about the film on his social media handle, telling fans and followers that he was "looking forward" to watching a film on the big screen after ages.

On my way to see Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari in a Cinema Hall. Really looking forward to the big screen experience, after so long !

— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) November 17, 2020

Watch the film's official trailer here: 

Views expressed are the author's own.