Bubble Gum

"Bubble Gum" is a film that mistakes quirky family dysfunction for compelling storytelling, and the result is a muddled mess that never decides what it wants to be. The premise—a tenth-grader obsessing over a girl while his deaf brother returns home—has potential for genuine emotional resonance, but director Rishab Shetty fumbles it entirely. The love story feels like a tired Bollywood cliché transplanted into what should be a meaningful family drama, and the jealousy subplot with Ratan adds nothing but noise. Vedant's character never transcends the archetypal lovestruck teenager, and his obsession with Jenny rings hollow because we're given no reason to care about either of them beyond surface-level attraction.

Where the film could have found its footing is in exploring the relationship between Vedant and Vidur, his deaf brother. Instead, the narrative treats Vidur's storyline—the lockout incident, the father's embarrassing kabaddi antics—as comedic fodder rather than genuine character exploration. This is where the film's fundamental lack of empathy becomes apparent. The performances are serviceable but uninspired; the actors are doing their best with material that doesn't give them much to work with. The family drama that should anchor the entire film feels scattered and unearned, jumping from one incident to another without building any real emotional momentum. By the time the credits roll, you're left with the uncomfortable sense that the film had something to say about