Zara Hatke Zara Bachke

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, also abbreviated as ZHZB, is a 2023 Hindi-language romantic comedy film starring Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan as a small-town married couple who want to get a house of their own. The film is written and directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios.

The film was released in theatres on 2 June 2023 to mixed reviews from critics. Made on a ₹40 crore budget, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke emerged as a sleeper hit, grossing ₹115.89 crore worldwide. At the 69th Filmfare Awards, the film received four nominations, including Best Music Director and Best Lyricist.

Plot
The story revolves around Kapil and Somya - a middle-class happily married couple from Indore who want to get a house of their own through the Indian government's flagship program: the Awas Yojna scheme. The story starts with Kapil, a yoga instructor, and Somya, a teacher living under a joint family with Kapil's parents and his aunt and uncle staying with them due to which they have to give up their room and sleep in the hall. Somya a Sikh girl from background is often looked down by Kapil's aunt as they are pure Brahmins. Kapil always tries to intervene and make up to Somya by taking her out for lunch for her favorite food.

Somya always wanted a house of her own and after looking for a house which they both liked, the broker tries to get more money which was discussed when showcasing the house by giving all house rates as expensive. So then they learn about this Awas Yojna and Kapil goes to inquire about it but returns empty-handed as he has had an argument with the employee. However, the peon in the office who also has a side business of settlements and brokerage due to being a government employee gives advice to Kapil and Somya about the scheme and tell them that to be eligible, Kapil either has to be kicked out of their parents' inheritance or Somya should divorce him in order to qualify as a single divorced lady. They initially brush off the idea, but Somya wants her own home so badly that she convinces Kapil to go with the divorce process.

He reluctantly agrees and then a series of comedic events start as they are faking their divorce in front of all including their families. Finally their divorce is approved, but then the broker is caught and the Yojna (scheme) draw results are halted due to which there is an argument between Kapil and Somya, as the former says it was due to Somya's greed he is divorced and they are in this situation just to get some privacy and space of their own. After some time Somya gets the papers of her new home from the Indian Government and she confesses all this to her parents and they all go to Kapil's house and they come clean. But Kapil's aunt faints and is taken to hospital where it is revealed that her liver is failing and she needs urgent transplant.

During this time Somya realizes the importance of family and now no longer wants her separate house. Soon they give the house keys and papers to the security guard of the society they were living as he has a young daughter and doesn't have a house.

After sometime Somya and Kapil remarry and start a happy life.

Soundtrack
The film's music was composed by Sachin–Jigar. Lyrics were written by Amitabh Bhattacharya.

The first single "Phir Aur Kya Chahiye" was released on 16 May 2023. The second single "Tere Vaaste" was released on 22 May 2023. The third single titled "Baby Tujhe Paap Lagega", sung by composer Himesh Reshammiya was released on 25 May 2023. The fourth single "Sanjha" was released on 29 May 2023.

Theatrical
Zara Hatke Zara Bachke was theatrically released on 2 June 2023.

Home media
Zara Hatke Zara Bachke got its OTT release almost 11 months after its theatrical release. It was released on 17 May 2024 on the streaming platform Jio Cinema.

Box office
The film earned ₹5.49 crore at the domestic box office on its opening day and a total domestic weekend collection of ₹ 22.59 crore. , the film has grossed inr 1047600000 in India and inr 111300000.00000001 overseas for a worldwide gross collection of inr 1158900000.

Critical response
Grace Cyril of India Today rated the film 3 stars out of 5, writing, "Sara Ali Khan, Vicky Kaushal's chemistry is the USP of the film." Amandeep Narang of ABP Live gave the same rating, stating that "Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan starrer is a light-hearted rom-com done right."

However, Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV rated the film 2 stars out of 5, writing, "The performances from Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan as the happily married couple are as wildly uneven as the film itself." Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express also rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, writing, "The film is a tonal switch in its second-half, introducing a plot twist doused in mothballed sentimentality, and adding a dreary sanskari layer to the whole thing."