I totally enjoyed watching David Dhawan's Biwi No. 1, a funny and lighthearted comedy which is both interesting and entertaining. The movie deals with adultery but it never takes itself too seriously, and that's probably what makes it most fun to watch. This is the story Prem and Pooja Mehra, a wealthy and happily married couple who have two kids and a big house. Prem runs a successful advertising agency and Pooja is a contented housewife. Everything seems perfect until the moment Prem meets one drop dead gorgeous model named Rupali and the couple's domestic peace is in danger. Prem enthusiastically hires Rupali as an exclusive model for his agency and the two start an affair. The problems start when Pooja finds out about her husband's infidelity and the real war begins. At first she is unable to do anything but later she gets back to senses and with the help of a close family friend named Lakhan she assertively decides to fight for her family and get her husband back. What happens then is a laugh riot to behold.
Where acting is concerned, every actor understands the film's mood and acts accordingly. The film belongs to Karisma Kapoor, and she is wonderful as the betrayed wife who is decisive enough to get her husband back but also teach him a lesson or two. Karisma delivers a performance that is both convincing and funny, and she is gorgeous, more towards the latter portions of the film. Salman Khan is very good with his natural sense of humour. Two actors can be given the title of show stealer, and they are Anil Kapoor and Sushmita Sen. Kapoor is absolutely hilarious as the kind-hearted Lakhan who supports Pooja throughout the movie. Sushmita is way too hot to handle but more than anything her acting is excellent. She is one underrated actress who sadly never got her due. It's also sad to see a talent like Tabu in a minuscule role of zero importance, but one must note the film's last scene in which she totally shines. Himani Shivpuri is awesome as Prem's mother who, like Lakhan, is there to help her daughter in-law in everything, and the kids do well.
Biwi No. 1 shows the power of family and what a simple unassuming wife can do in order to recuperate her family, but everything is done in a light and funny way with a lot of comedy involved. You just have to see the scene in which Karisma finds out about Prem and Rupali's affair. In a regular Hindi fare it would be a really huge dramatic moment, but here it's incredibly amusing. The film does have serious moments of drama and they are dealt with well but they are few. I liked the ending very much although it was quite easy to predict it. I wouldn't call Biwi No. 1 a great film or something, but it is an all-round entertainer and I can always watch it with family and friends. I recommend this movie to lovers of Hindi cinema and to fans of David Dhawan comedies in particular.
