Director Shashank Khaitan is all set to bring colour, chaos, and comedy to theatres this Dussehra with his next family entertainer, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. At the trailer launch, the filmmaker got candid about what makes this film different—and why it's so close to his heart.
Khaitan, known for hits like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, clarified right off the bat that this film isn’t a continuation of that franchise—even though it might feel familiar in tone. “It’s not a part of Dulhania. That’s just the way I tell stories,” he explained. “My goal is always simple—to make people laugh, to entertain them. And honestly, in today’s world, laughter is more essential than ever. I want people to come to the theatre, enjoy, have fun, and leave with a smile.”
Set against a wedding backdrop, the film promises high-energy humour and a hearty dose of emotion. But it’s the film’s tagline that caught everyone’s attention: “There’s revenge, there’s masti, but it’s all in the spirit of celebration,” said Khaitan. “It’s not dark. It’s full of joy. We’re releasing on Dussehra, and the whole world will already be in a festive mood. There’s drama, yes—but above all, it’s a happy film. I think the tagline perfectly captures that duality.”
The film brings back Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, last seen together in Bawaal. Speaking about working with Janhvi again after Dhadak, which he also produced, Shashank shared: “Working with Janhvi after so many years was refreshing. She’s got more experience now. This genre is new territory for her. That’s where Varun and I helped. We’ve done films in this space, and our tastes align. We’d rehearse scenes together, push Janhvi to find her rhythm. And let me tell you, she’s got great comic timing. You’ll see a completely new side to her.”
He also emphasized that while many people believe comedy doesn’t require rehearsal, it’s actually the opposite: “In comedy, if your timing is even slightly off, the joke falls flat. That’s why we rehearsed a lot. It’s all about rhythm and chemistry.”
Khaitan also spoke warmly about his bond with Varun: “Even though we haven’t worked together in a while, it never feels like that. We talk almost every day. Beyond the movies, we’re friends. That helps a lot when you're creating a film like this—it brings a natural ease.”