If you like Bollywood comedies with people constantly shouting and jumping around, you might like this movie. If not, better avoid it. Apart from some decent acting and a few scenes that might make you smile, Biwi No. 1 ('Wife no. 1') has very little to offer.
The story is simple enough: a happily married man (Salman Khan) suddenly falls in love with another woman (Sushmita Sen) and starts cheating on his wife (Karisma Kapoor). On both women, in fact, because he convinces the beautiful Rupali that he is still a bachelor. Thus, he takes her on a trip to Switzerland, where they unexpectedly meet his best friend and his wife (Anil Kapoor and Tabu). Obviously, it won't take long before his own wife finds out...
Not exactly an ambitious plot. At times it reminds of 'She-Devil'. The difference is mostly this: while She-Devil succeeds in telling you an amusing story, in Biwi No. 1 the story just serves as a vehicle to show how funny the movie is. They might as well have added a laughing track to the background. In short, it's the kind of movie that you might enjoy watching if you like a sitcom type of humour, but that you can forget as soon as the movie is over.
What attracted me to this movie was the number of awards it had received, especially Sushmita Sen, who in addition is one of my favourite Bollywood actresses. Well, I agree she does a bang-up job in this movie, but if this role really earned her so many awards, I can't help thinking it must have been a really bad year in Bollywood. Karisma Kapoor, who plays the title role, is acting decently and convincingly, but again, not a memorable performance either. Anil Kapoor, an excellent actor, is a comedian in this movie, which he managed fairly well, but again, not exactly a milestone in film history either. About the main character, played by Salman Khan... Well, I suppose you need to like him. I find him particularly irritating in this movie. Other actors, like Saif Ali Khan and Tabu, play roles so minor that it is hard to say anything sensible about them.
All in all, the plot, the storytelling, the acting and the music all belong to the category 'Seen Worse'. What Biwi No. 1 really lacks, however, is something really good, something memorable. If you haven't seen it, you haven't missed a thing.

10 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

The basic plot is quite ambitious for a hindi movie. Salman is married to Karishma but when he hires Sushmita Sen as a model he falls in love with her and gives up his wife for her. Karishma with help from a hilarious Anil Kapoor tries to get Salman back.
It is a pretty well made film with a surprisingly good performance by Salman Khan. Sushmita was at her prettiest but personally I think Karishma and Anil Kapoor walk away with the honours. Anil Kapoor had me rolling on the floor with his witty dialogue delivery.
What really got my goat was the portrayal of hindu wives in this movie. Even though Salman had left her for another woman, karishma still keeps trying to get him back. I think it would have been more daring to show Karishma with a bit more personality and independence. Maybe even to marry Saif Ali or something. Anyway that's my 2 cents worth.
Either way a great film with good songs and dance sequences - although Salman being shorter is a bit of a let down.....

6 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I totally enjoyed watching David Dhawan's Biwi No. 1, a funny and lighthearted comedy which is both interesting and entertaining. The movie deals with adultery but it never takes itself too seriously, and that's probably what makes it most fun to watch. This is the story Prem and Pooja Mehra, a wealthy and happily married couple who have two kids and a big house. Prem runs a successful advertising agency and Pooja is a contented housewife. Everything seems perfect until the moment Prem meets one drop dead gorgeous model named Rupali and the couple's domestic peace is in danger. Prem enthusiastically hires Rupali as an exclusive model for his agency and the two start an affair. The problems start when Pooja finds out about her husband's infidelity and the real war begins. At first she is unable to do anything but later she gets back to senses and with the help of a close family friend named Lakhan she assertively decides to fight for her family and get her husband back. What happens then is a laugh riot to behold.
Where acting is concerned, every actor understands the film's mood and acts accordingly. The film belongs to Karisma Kapoor, and she is wonderful as the betrayed wife who is decisive enough to get her husband back but also teach him a lesson or two. Karisma delivers a performance that is both convincing and funny, and she is gorgeous, more towards the latter portions of the film. Salman Khan is very good with his natural sense of humour. Two actors can be given the title of show stealer, and they are Anil Kapoor and Sushmita Sen. Kapoor is absolutely hilarious as the kind-hearted Lakhan who supports Pooja throughout the movie. Sushmita is way too hot to handle but more than anything her acting is excellent. She is one underrated actress who sadly never got her due. It's also sad to see a talent like Tabu in a minuscule role of zero importance, but one must note the film's last scene in which she totally shines. Himani Shivpuri is awesome as Prem's mother who, like Lakhan, is there to help her daughter in-law in everything, and the kids do well.
Biwi No. 1 shows the power of family and what a simple unassuming wife can do in order to recuperate her family, but everything is done in a light and funny way with a lot of comedy involved. You just have to see the scene in which Karisma finds out about Prem and Rupali's affair. In a regular Hindi fare it would be a really huge dramatic moment, but here it's incredibly amusing. The film does have serious moments of drama and they are dealt with well but they are few. I liked the ending very much although it was quite easy to predict it. I wouldn't call Biwi No. 1 a great film or something, but it is an all-round entertainer and I can always watch it with family and friends. I recommend this movie to lovers of Hindi cinema and to fans of David Dhawan comedies in particular.

4 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Prem (Salman Khan) is happily married to Pooja (Karisma Kapoor) until he becomes infatuated with model Rupali (Sushmita Sen). Pooja is devastated when she discovers his infidelity, and then forms a plan to win him back.
Humor is an intensely personal thing, and for me, watching Prem deceive his wife while trying to appease his mistress was not funny. The acting was great, and some of the musical numbers spectacular, but I just didn't enjoy the plot.

0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

David Dhawan is the kind of Indian comedy and has been given brilliant films from the early 90s. Though serious and commercial action films was his initial plan he moved to full fledged comedy after his Blockbuster Anakhen from 1993 and flop Aandaz from around that time. David Dhawan usually directs Sanjay Dutt Govinda Salman Khan and even Anil Kapoor with selected heroines. His lastest films are mostly craps but during the 90s he rules and even in the mid 20s he gave hits. Biwi No 1 was one of DD's earlier films when he used the same formula which worked many times execept one flop Gharwali Baharwali from around that time. Biwi No 1 was a superhit film if not a Blockbuster. The movie can be described as a superb comedy with an average story. Most DD films had brainless stories with lots of masala and silly comedy and I will admit the comedy even if silly is funny at most parts. Only disappointing DD film from the 90s would be Andaaz a remake of Toy Soldier and that too was a flop with overacting of lame comedy and average action. Biwi No 1 is the same formula, it doesn't have anything new yet the comic scenes and the one liners are hilarious. Anil Kapoor deserves a hats off for his natural Punjabi act where he does hilarious comedy. Salman Khan is on of the most featured DD actors and after his combination with DD from superhit Judwaa, Salman shined in most DD films. Salman Khan does a good job though his crying towards the climax gets cringeworthy and requires patience to watch. Karishman Kapoor is also a frequent DD actress and does a job well done especially in the second half. Sushmita Sen does an OK job depending heavily on her beauty and charm. She could've done better in terms of acting but she is OK. The rest including the child actor and the dog have provided good support. Songs are one of the big plus points of the film. Whether its the hilarious title song or the brilliant Shankar Mahadevan Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai or the Chunari Chunari song, most are good. But, these 3 are the top chartbusters from this movie. This movie is definitely David Dhawan's best film after blockbusters like Aankhen, Saajan Chale Sasural, and the recent Judwaa. Biwi No 1 proves to be a good follow up and entertains. However, keep in mind that if your going to watch this movie looking for realism and a very good story, please skip this one because those looking for a realistic and neat story will get nothing but braindead comedy which is entertaining for most people but not for everyone!

0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I saw this last night on my Moser Baer DVD which i got that day.I want to say that this is excellent.This is one of the best movies ever.The story is excellent.It opens when Deepak says Rupaali that she has to move on.Next we see that Prem falls for Rupaali.She even builds a house for her.Wife Pooja is angry.Then Prem leaves her to stay with Rupaali.Then with the help of her kids and her mother in law those 3 goes to Rupalis home and try to bring Prem by a series of tricks.Salman gives a brilliant performance.I think Karishma is slowly starting to improve,She gives an amazing performance,Sushmitha Sen who is my mothers favorite heroine.Anyway,She gives a FANTASTIC performance.Anil gives an another superb performance,Tabu was fairly good,Himani ShivPuri was great,The kids were cute and put on good performance.Muisc was Amazing.Cinematography is great,Chemistry between Khan and Kapoor and Khan and Sen was fantastic.This is a must see with excellent story,Excellent performances and great music

2 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

David Dhawan's films are mostly nonsensical like MDK but more crude too but yet entertaining many times
He seems overawed by the Bigamy topic done in SAAJAN CHALE SASURAL(hit), GHARWALI BAHARWALI(flop)and Biwi No.1
BIWI NO.1 is another same concept film but it has some funny moments
One of the highlight is Anil's natural Punjabi act which he does so brilliantly, he makes you laugh the most
The plot is simple and done to death on the small screen too now
The funny scenes involve how Karisma's children and Salman's mom teach Sushmita a lesson also supported by Anil
The film has some nonsense scenes like Salman's crying scene in the end and the accident of Anil
Direction by DD is okay Music is good
Salman Khan plays the by then famous playboy act again but he is much more likable then today though he is cringeworthy in the climax Karisma Kapoor is good here and does a good job thankfully not irritating Sushmita is decent but looks her best Anil is a highlight as Punjabi Jatt, he makes you laugh with his natural performance( if u see closely NO ENTRY had a hangover of this film where again Salman played a playboy and Anil his friend and his wife is Pooja) Tabu is likable too as his wife Himani Shivpuri is a natural and fun to watch as Salman's mom

1 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

David Dhawan has done an incredible job with this movie.Salman and Karishma share incredible chemistry as do Anil and Tabu. Karishma's acting gets better and better with every movie. Salman is just good, Sushmita Sen looks gorgeous and has very good acting skills. Tabu and Anil are scene stealers. The dancing and music was credible. Very entertaining movie, i reccomend that u watch it.

1 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

biwi no.1 is a really bad movie with very average performances. the only saving grace is the performance of anil kapoor. a few of the songs are catchy,otherwise forgettable.
VERDICT:a cheap movie with very old fashioned ideas.

1 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

I wanted to see how Anil Kapoor, the acclaimed actor of Hindi cinema performs the role. Having seen the tamil Sathi Leelavathy, I am irritated that again, he's flicked his actions (the little 50% acting he did was flicked off Kamal) completely from Kamal. The bathroom-Small world - Attending to Salman - Climax all has been lifted. I have a feeling the actors were jumping with joy while acting for the film realizing they've flicked a gr8 film. I don't see any acting and flow! Just watch the tamil versions..At least to tear apart my comments, just watch the tamil version!
Madhu

0 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink