Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a colourful Hindi romantic comedy that opened in theatres on October 2, 2025, the day of Dussehra, and has been streaming on Netflix since November 27, 2025. Directed by Shashank Khaitan and starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, with Rohit Saraf and Sanya Malhotra as their exes, it leans on the popular fake-relationship trope.
Critics were split. Some enjoyed a breezy, silly entertainer, while others found it thin and overlong. It crossed 100 crore worldwide and is now an easy watch-at-home pick. This guide covers the plot, cast, music, box office, Netflix details, our detailed review, pros and cons, a scorecard and FAQs, with no major spoilers.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release date | October 2, 2025 (Dussehra) |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Romantic comedy |
| Director | Shashank Khaitan |
| Writers | Shashank Khaitan and Ishita Moitra |
| Producers | Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Adar Poonawalla, Shashank Khaitan |
| Production | Dharma Productions and Mentor Disciple Entertainment |
| Cinematography | Manush Nandan |
| Runtime | 135 minutes |
| Main cast | Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Rohit Saraf, Sanya Malhotra |
| Streaming | Netflix, from November 27, 2025 |
| Theatrical run | 43 days |
Source for the production details, runtime and cast: Wikipedia. The Netflix date comes from WION.
What is the story about?
Sunny, a Delhi boy from a jewellery-business family, proposes to his girlfriend Ananya in grand style, but she turns him down and reveals she is engaged to Vikram Singh, a billionaire her family chose. Sunny then learns that Vikram once left his childhood sweetheart, a schoolteacher named Tulsi Kumari, under pressure from his family.
Sunny and Tulsi, both heartbroken, team up. They travel to the wedding in Udaipur and pretend to be a couple, hoping to make their exes jealous and win them back. The fake-dating game stirs up old feelings, family drama and plenty of comic chaos, and the film plays it against the clash between modern relationships and traditional family expectations.
The trope: a fake relationship between two people who each want someone else, with the audience waiting to see whether the pretend romance turns real.
Spoiler note: this section covers only the setup. We do not reveal how the story ends.
The film opened on Dussehra, but reviews and plot summaries do not describe it as set during the festival. Its festive feel comes from the wedding setting, bright costumes and dance numbers.
Cast and characters
| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Varun Dhawan | Sunny Sanskari | The heartbroken Delhi boy who proposes to Ananya and is rejected |
| Janhvi Kapoor | Tulsi Kumari | A schoolteacher and Vikram’s former childhood sweetheart |
| Sanya Malhotra | Ananya Bhatia | Sunny’s ex, now engaged to Vikram |
| Rohit Saraf | Vikram Singh | The wealthy groom and Tulsi’s ex |
| Maniesh Paul | Kuku | The over-the-top wedding planner |
| Akshay Oberoi | Param Singh | Supporting role |
| Abhinav Sharma | Bantu | Supporting role |
| Prajakta Koli | Dimple | Special appearance |
Karan Johar also appears as himself in a guest cameo. The full cast list is on Wikipedia.
The ensemble
- Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor carry the film as the mismatched fake couple.
- Rohit Saraf and Sanya Malhotra play the exes. Reviewers said they land their jokes and handle Ishita Moitra’s dialogue well, though some felt they got limited room.
- Maniesh Paul was singled out as the supporting standout by WION, which also called his wedding planner cartoonish.
Music and festive vibe
The soundtrack is a mix of party tracks and wedding-style dance numbers from several composers, not a single album by one composer. According to Wikipedia, the songs are by Tanishk Bagchi, A.P.S, Sachet-Parampara, Guru Randhawa, Rony Ajnali and Gill Machhrai, and the background score is by John Stewart Eduri.
- Panwadi. A high-energy festival-style dance track and the soundtrack’s most enjoyable song, according to The Quint’s reviewer.
- Bijuria. A dance-floor reworking of Sonu Nigam’s 90s hit, released ahead of the film.
- Wedding and party numbers. Colourful sets, designer outfits and choreography give the film its festive look.
Festive feel: the film opened on Dussehra, and its energy comes from a destination wedding in Udaipur, bright costumes and big dance sequences. WION praised the colourful visuals, designer clothes and dance moves.
Box office and critical reception
Box office
The film ran for 43 days in theatres. Per Koimoi’s closing report:
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| India net | 70.17 crore |
| India gross | 82.80 crore |
| Overseas gross | 25.31 crore |
| Worldwide gross | 108.11 crore |
Koimoi says it became the third-highest-grossing romantic film of 2025 after Saiyaara and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. Wikipedia lists a lower estimate of about 99.39 crore and a budget of 80 crore, so figures differ by source. The film also opened on the same day as Kantara: Chapter 1, which overshadowed its run.
Critical reception
Reviews were mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, 20% of 15 critics gave positive reviews, with an average of 5.1/10, per Wikipedia.
| Outlet | Rating or verdict |
|---|---|
| News18, Firstpost, Bollywood Hungama | 3.5 / 5, a fun, heartfelt entertainer |
| Times of India, India Today | 3 / 5 |
| Deccan Herald | 3 / 5, “a breezy addition to the X Ki Y franchise” |
| Hindustan Times, NDTV | 2.5 / 5, lightweight and overlong |
| Indian Express | 2 / 5, spectacle over screenplay |
| The Quint | Positive: “shimmering, funny, silly bang for my multiplex buck” |
| WION | Negative: “torturous, overdramatic” |
Where to watch: Netflix streaming
The film is on Netflix. It premiered on the platform on November 27, 2025, roughly eight weeks after its October 2 theatrical release, which matches the usual window for big Hindi releases. Netflix announced the date on November 26 with a post saying “out 27 November, on Netflix,” according to WION.
Good to know
- It is a 135-minute film, so plan for a full evening.
- Availability can differ by country and can change over time, so confirm in your own Netflix catalogue.
- WION’s reviewer said the film would suit OTT better than a theatre, since you can pause or skip.
Our review
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a shiny, silly, high-energy rom-com that knows exactly what it is. It does not try to reinvent the fake-dating formula. It dresses it in wedding colours, dance numbers and family drama, and mostly counts on its cast’s charm to carry it. Whether that is enough depends on what you want from a Friday-night movie.
The story and script
The setup is easy to follow and has a clear comic engine: two heartbroken people, each chasing someone else, pretend to be a couple at their exes’ wedding. The film uses that for jealousy gags, awkward family moments and a slow-burning question of what is real. Writers Shashank Khaitan and Ishita Moitra give the characters quick, cheeky dialogue.
The weakness is depth. Critics said the characters lack nuance, the conflicts feel manufactured and the climax is predictable. WION found the script weak and overdramatised, and Hindustan Times flagged a lack of clarity in balancing romance and family drama. At 135 minutes, NDTV called it overlong.
Performances
- Varun Dhawan (Sunny). The film’s engine. Reviewers praised his screen presence, comic timing and energy, even if they felt he repeats a familiar style. He sells the jokes, the heartbreak and the dancing.
- Janhvi Kapoor (Tulsi). Handles the over-the-top comedy well and balances earnestness with flippancy, per The Quint, though WION felt she was not at her best. She and Dhawan work as a pair, but this is not the same chemistry as his earlier Khaitan films.
- Rohit Saraf (Vikram) and Sanya Malhotra (Ananya). Both land their lines and are the reason the climax works, per The Quint. A recurring complaint is that they are underused.
- Maniesh Paul (Kuku). A loud, cartoonish wedding planner who adds comic energy.
Humour and romance
The jokes are hit and miss. When the cast leans into silliness, the film is fun. When it tries to be serious, it can drag. The romance is intentionally not symmetrical, which keeps the fake-dating arc from feeling mechanical, and the final union is short and free of long speeches.
Music and visuals
The colourful production design, designer costumes and dance numbers are a clear strength. Panwadi and Bijuria are the party highlights. The music is built for the dance floor, not for emotional depth.
Direction
Shashank Khaitan knows how to give audiences an entertaining, glossy film, and he undercuts serious moments with silly gags. The flip side is a narrow storytelling range: it feels familiar if you have seen his earlier rom-coms.
The verdict
It is easy to watch and easy to forget. Go in for the cast, the songs and the wedding chaos, not for a fresh story, and it is a pleasant way to spend two hours on Netflix.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Varun Dhawan’s energy and comic timing | A thin, predictable script |
| A fun fake-dating premise | Characters lack depth |
| Colourful visuals, costumes and dance numbers | Overlong at 135 minutes |
| Catchy party songs like Panwadi and Bijuria | Humour is hit and miss |
| Good support from Rohit Saraf and Sanya Malhotra | The exes are underused |
| Easy, light viewing on Netflix | Mixed critical reception (20% on Rotten Tomatoes) |
Pros in detail
- A charming lead. Dhawan’s screen presence, comic timing and dancing hold the film together.
- A clear, fun premise. The fake-relationship trope gives every scene a reason to exist and keeps the jokes coming.
- A festive look. Wedding sets, bright costumes and choreography make it visually lively.
- Strong party songs. The soundtrack is built for dancing, and Panwadi was singled out by The Quint.
- A solid supporting ensemble. Saraf and Malhotra make their parts work, and Maniesh Paul adds comic energy.
- Low-effort entertainment. It is easy to put on at the end of a long week.
Cons in detail
- A familiar, predictable plot. Critics said the climax is predictable and the conflicts feel manufactured.
- Thin characters. Several reviews said the characters lack nuance and are hard to care about.
- Length. NDTV called it overlong, and its 135 minutes can drag in the middle.
- Uneven jokes. Some gags land, but WION felt the dialogue rarely works as comedy.
- Wasted talent. Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf are strong actors who, some reviewers felt, got little room.
- Divided reviews. Ratings range from 2 to 3.5 out of 5, so expect to either enjoy or shrug at it.
Our rating: 3 out of 5
| Category | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Story and script | 2.5 / 5 | Fun premise, predictable and thin |
| Performances | 3.5 / 5 | Dhawan’s energy and a capable supporting cast |
| Humour | 3 / 5 | Some good gags, others fall flat |
| Music and visuals | 3.5 / 5 | Colourful, danceable and festive |
| Direction and pacing | 3 / 5 | Glossy but overlong |
| Rewatch value | 2.5 / 5 | Better as a one-time easy watch |
| Overall | 3 / 5 | A breezy, forgettable rom-com best enjoyed with low expectations |
For comparison, critics’ ratings ranged from 2 to 3.5 out of 5, with Rotten Tomatoes at 20% positive from 15 reviews.
Who should watch it?
Watch it if you:
- like fake-dating and wedding rom-coms
- enjoy Varun Dhawan’s comic energy and Bollywood dance numbers
- want a light, colourful film that does not ask much of you
- liked Shashank Khaitan’s earlier films, such as Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania
Skip it if you:
- want a fresh, surprising story or a deep romance
- dislike predictable plots and cartoonish comedy
- are short on time, since it runs 135 minutes
Tip: it is a good pick for a relaxed evening at home on Netflix, where you can pause, skip or watch with friends.
Final verdict
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a lively, good-looking and uneven rom-com. It will not surprise you, but its cast, songs and wedding chaos make it an easy watch if you go in with modest expectations. At 3 out of 5, it is a fine Netflix night in, not a must-see.
Did you watch it? Tell us in the comments whether you were Team Sunny or Team Tulsi’s ex, and which song you had on repeat.
FAQs
When was Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari released? In theatres on October 2, 2025, which was Dussehra.
Is it on Netflix? Yes. It began streaming on Netflix on November 27, 2025, about eight weeks after its theatrical release. Check your country’s catalogue, since availability can differ.
Who stars in it? Varun Dhawan as Sunny and Janhvi Kapoor as Tulsi, with Rohit Saraf as Vikram, Sanya Malhotra as Ananya and Maniesh Paul as the wedding planner Kuku.
Who directed it? Shashank Khaitan, who also co-wrote it with Ishita Moitra. It is produced by Dharma Productions and Mentor Disciple Entertainment.
What is it about? Sunny and Tulsi, both left heartbroken by their exes, pretend to be a couple at their exes’ wedding in Udaipur to make them jealous.
Is it set during Dussehra? No. It was released on Dussehra, but plot summaries describe a wedding story, not a festival story.
Who composed the music? Several composers, including Tanishk Bagchi, A.P.S, Sachet-Parampara, Guru Randhawa, Rony Ajnali and Gill Machhrai. The background score is by John Stewart Eduri. Popular songs include Panwadi and Bijuria.
How long is it? 135 minutes.
How did it do at the box office? It earned about 108 crore worldwide gross and 70 crore India net over a 43-day run, per Koimoi. Other sources list lower figures, and it was overshadowed by Kantara: Chapter 1, which opened the same day.
Was it a hit with critics? Reviews were mixed. Ratings from major outlets range from 2 to 3.5 out of 5, and Rotten Tomatoes shows 20% positive from 15 critics.
Is there a sequel? No sequel is mentioned in any of the sources we checked.
Is it worth watching on Netflix? Yes, if you want a light, colourful rom-com and can forgive a predictable script.