Dharma Productions' latest offering, Mr & Mrs Mahi, is set to release on May 31, 2024. A romantic sports drama, the movie stars Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles, with Janhvi's Gunjan Saxena director, Sharan Sharma, at the helm. Mr & Mrs Mahi was completed back in May 2023, and it has taken a whole year for the film to reach the theatres, coinciding with the conclusion of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. Mr and Mrs Mahi Trailer: Rajkummar Rao Is Janhvi Kapoor’s Mentor and Support System in This Upcoming Sports Drama.

The trailer for Mr & Mrs Mahi was unveiled on May 12. Contrary to some expectations, Mr & Mrs Mahi is not a biopic of former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, although Dhoni's influence is evident. The film indeed revolves around cricket, but it narrates the story of a married couple, where the husband seeks to fulfil his unrealised dream of becoming a cricketer through his wife, who also possesses untapped talent in the sport. The trailer has already captured the attention of fans for Rao and Kapoor's fresh, unconventional chemistry, the clever use of the song "Dekha Tainu" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and the intriguing plotline. However, some have criticized the trailer for revealing nearly all about the movie.

ICYMI, Here's the Trailer of Mr & Mrs Mahi:

While Mr and Mrs Mahi certainly looks promising, it's hard not to sense similarities with the following five films, as inferred from the trailer. (PS: This is not us saying the film is 'copied', as some netizens would jump and allege at the merest possibility of similarity. One of the below movies was not released in India a month ago. We are just seeking out the parallels.)

Patiala House

Akshay Kumar in Patiala House

In this sports drama by Nikhil Advani, Akshay Kumar portrays a cricket aspirant in his thirties. His dreams of pursuing the sport are crushed by his strict father, portrayed by Rishi Kapoor, who opposes his desire to play for England, where they currently reside. However, with encouragement from his sweetheart, played by Anushka Sharma, he clandestinely returns to the field, defying his father's wishes. The intertwined themes of cricket and Rao's strained relationship with his father, portrayed by Kumud Mishra, in Mr & Mrs Mahi certainly evoke parallels with this film.

Dangal

Aamir Khan in Dangal

The highest grossing sports film made in India, Nitesh Tiwari's Dangal is based on the Phogat family. Mahavir Phogat (played by Aamir Khan) trains his daughters, initially against their wishes, to become national-level wrestlers, a dream he couldn't fulfill himself. Replace "father" with "husband" and "daughters" with "wives," and you'll find  Mr & Mrs Mahi drawing some inspiration from Dangal.

1983

Nivin Pauly in 1983

For the next two entries, let's go down South. The first movie that I would like to recall is the Malayalam film 1983, which marks Abrid Shine's directorial debut. In 1983, Nivin Pauly plays a youngster who is a fantastic batter, but his less privileged background and lack of family support restrain him from taking his ground heroics beyond village tournaments. He then tries to fulfil his dream through his young son, despite the dissent from his father. Also, the hero is a major fan of Sachin Tendulkar, just like the couple in Mr & Mrs Mahi is of Dhoni's. Janhvi Kapoor Slays in Red-Blue Saree With ‘6 Mahi’ Blouse at Mr & Mrs Mahi Trailer Launch Event.

Jersey

Nani in Jersey

Nani's Jersey was a critical and commercial success, which lent itself to a less-successful remake in Bollywood with Shahid Kapoor in the lead. The sports drama has Nani play a cricketer who has to leave his promising career midway, but later, the mid-life crisis-suffering hero has to return to his favourite arena to vindicate himself.

Challengers

Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist in Challengers

Sure, Mrs & Mrs Mahi doesn't involve a threesome or the erotic vibes of the Zendaya-starrer. However, both films involve a lead dropping his or her career, coaching his or her partner in the same sport, and trying to fulfil their aspirations through their partners' victories.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 13, 2024 08:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).