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Netflix film Meethe Mein Kya Hai follows Jai to Lucknow for Diwali as he copes with his wife’s death, finding unexpected comfort in family chaos.
Meethe Mein Kya Hai Is Out On Netflix.
Meethe Mein Kya HaiU/A
3.5/5
Starring: Ritwik Bhowmik, Rohini Hattangadi, Ayesha Raza MishraDirector: Radhika BansalPlatform: Netflix
There is something about a family gathering during Diwali that makes for a good story. Old disagreements resurface, unexpected announcements throw everyone off, and beneath all the noise and unsolicited advice is a family trying, in its own imperfect way, to look out for its members. Netflix’s Meethe Mein Kya Hai taps into this familiar territory with a story about grief, growing up and learning to let go. The film is not without its flaws and its screenplay does lose direction in places, but there is an easy warmth to it that makes it an enjoyable watch.
Jai (Ritwik Bhowmik) has been struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife, Tara (Kanikka Kapur), who died in an accident right beside him two years ago. He returns to Lucknow for Diwali at his maternal grandmother’s house, hoping, perhaps, to find some comfort in the familiarity of home. Instead, he finds himself caught up in the usual family chaos. His sister Sana (Dalai) has a surprise of her own: she has married Karam, a Sikh divorcee who has a daughter from his previous marriage. While the family takes a moment to process the news, Jai gradually finds himself spending more time with Meera (Shivika Rishi), a young girl living with the family after losing her father to cancer.
Ritwik is a delight as Jai, who spends much of the film oscillating between two versions of himself. There is the brooding, withdrawn man who cannot escape the memories of his wife, and then there is someone who instinctively wants to feel alive again, to laugh and to be the person he was before grief took over. At times, he runs away from his feelings; at others, he seems to be searching for a way back to himself. Ritwik moves between these conflicting emotions with ease, making Jai’s gradual return to the world around him one of the film’s more rewarding aspects.
Shivika Rishi is equally charming as Meera. Beneath her brave front is a young girl trying to make sense of her own loss while navigating the many confusing sides of being a teenager. Her growing friendship with Jai gives the film some of its sweetest moments. She helps him rediscover the joy he has been missing, while he offers her companionship and understanding. Meera’s feelings are handled well: as an awkward, tender part of adolescence, a feeling she must learn to understand and outgrow.
Rohini Hattangadi brings a lovely warmth to the grandmother, while Ayesha Raza Mishra is predictably fantastic, lending her character the naturalness and familiarity she does so well. Dalai is effervescent as Sana, bringing an infectious energy to a character whose choices set much of the family drama in motion. Kanikka Kapur, too, makes a charming impression in her brief appearance as Tara.
The film is at its best when it observes the little contradictions of family life. Everyone wants to control everyone else, convinced that they know what is best. Yet, when it comes down to it, all they really want is to see each other happy. The screenplay occasionally meanders, but the performances and the film’s affectionate view of family keep it afloat.
Meethe Mein Kya Hai makes a simple but meaningful point: grief may not go away entirely, but the people around us can make it easier to live with. It is a little uneven, but also warm, sincere and sweet enough to leave you with a smile. Watch it!
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Ask News18Meethe Mein Kya Hai follows Jai, a young man struggling with the death of his wife, as he travels to Lucknow for Diwali at his grandmother’s house. There, he navigates family chaos, unexpected announcements from his sister Sana, and forms a sweet bond with a young girl named Meera.
Ask News18About the Author
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment wo…Read More
October 30, 2026, 12:30 IST
