Cirkus movie (2022) Review – A Full Breakdown
Description
🎪 Cirkus (2022) Movie Review – A Full Breakdown of Rohit Shetty’s Comedy Chaos
Published on: July 15, 2025
Welcome to our detailed review and breakdown of Cirkus (2022), a Hindi-language comedy film directed by Rohit Shetty. This film brings back the madcap energy of 90s Bollywood slapstick, blending it with a double-role confusion, family drama, and circus nostalgia.
Let’s dive deep into every corner of the movie – plot, cast, music, release, box office, public response, and more.
📑 Table of Contents of Cirkus movie
- 🎭 Story and Plot Summary (Non-spoiler + Spoiler)
- 👥 Cast and Characters
- 🎶 Music and Soundtrack
- 🎭 Performances and Acting Reviews
- ✍️ Dialogues and Writing Style
- 📢 Release and Promotion Strategy
- 💸 Box Office and OTT Streaming Performance
- 🧑⚖️ Critical and Public Reception
- 🌍 Cultural Impact and Public Response
- 🎬 Comparisons with Similar Movies
- 🏆 Awards and Recognition
- 📝 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
🎭 Story and Plot Summary of Cirkus movie (Non-spoiler + Spoiler)
Non-Spoiler Summary:
Cirkus is a comedy of errors. The story revolves around two sets of identical twins who get separated at birth. These mix-ups happen due to a social experiment by a doctor who wants to prove that upbringing is more powerful than biology.
Years later, both pairs unknowingly cross paths in the same town, creating endless confusion, chaos, and comedy. From mistaken identity to slapstick humor and heartwarming family moments, the film is packed with drama and fun.
It’s inspired by Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, but with a Rohit Shetty twist – colorful sets, over-the-top characters, and wild action scenes.
Spoiler Summary:
Dr. Roy Jamnadas runs an orphanage and decides to conduct a nature vs nurture experiment. He gives away two sets of twins to different families – mixing them up intentionally. Both twins are named Roy and Joy.
One Roy grows up working in a circus and becomes famous for being “The Electric Man” – he can resist electric shocks. The other Roy owns a tea estate and lives a luxurious life.
Things go haywire when the tea-estate Roy visits Ooty – where the circus Roy lives. People confuse them with each other – girlfriends, goons, and even family members.
After several funny misunderstandings, all the characters finally come together. The truth about the twins is revealed, and they forgive Dr. Jamnadas for his experiment. The story ends on a positive, lighthearted note.
👥 Cast and Characters of Cirkus movie
Cirkus boasts a big ensemble cast led by Ranveer Singh in a double role. Here’s a closer look:
- Ranveer Singh as Roy 1 and Roy 2
- He plays both twins with different personalities – one calm and rich, the other vibrant and part of a circus.
- Varun Sharma as Joy 1 and Joy 2
- Supporting both Roys as their loyal sidekicks, Varun doubles the confusion with his comic timing.
- Pooja Hegde as Mala
- The love interest of one Roy, she plays the classy, caring character.
- Jacqueline Fernandez as Bindu
- A playful and stylish role opposite the other Roy.
- Johnny Lever as Polson Dada
- A gangster with a soft heart and signature comic flair.
- Siddharth Jadhav as Momo
- A petty crook with exaggerated expressions and physical comedy.
- Sanjay Mishra as Rai Bahadur
- Delivers one of the funniest roles in the film.
- Ashwini Kalsekar and Murali Sharma appear in supporting comic roles.
Each character adds their own chaos to the mix, building a lively atmosphere full of dramatic turns and laugh-out-loud moments.
🎶 Music and Soundtrack of Cirkus movie
Cirkus features a fun, retro-inspired soundtrack. The music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, Badshah, Lijo George – DJ Chetas, and Amar Mohile.
Popular Songs:
- “Current Laga Re” – A dance track featuring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. The song became viral due to its catchy beats and energetic visuals.
- “Sun Zara” – A romantic melody that captures the emotional depth of the characters.
- “Aashiqui” – A fusion of old-school Bollywood charm with modern orchestration.
- “Cirkus Title Track” – High-energy theme that runs through the movie’s key scenes.
Lyrics and Reception:
- Lyrics are written by Kumaar and Badshah, keeping them playful and rhyming to match the movie’s circus theme.
- The soundtrack received mixed-to-positive reviews. While some praised its fun and upbeat nature, others felt the songs lacked long-term appeal.
- The background score by Amar Mohile helped elevate the slapstick scenes and brought circus vibes alive.
🎭 Performances and Acting Reviews of Cirkus movie
- Ranveer Singh steals the show with his double role. He brings contrast to the two Roys – one is calm, the other eccentric. His expressions, timing, and body language make each Roy feel distinct.
- Varun Sharma, in his twin roles, adds another layer of fun. His innocence and goofiness are key to many punchlines.
- Pooja Hegde and Jacqueline Fernandez are charming, though their roles are limited. They add glamour and emotion but are mostly part of the confusion setup.
- Sanjay Mishra and Johnny Lever shine in their comic avatars. Their expressions and one-liners often land better than the main track.
- Siddharth Jadhav and Ashwini Kalsekar exaggerate their roles but fit perfectly into Rohit Shetty’s comic world.
In summary, the performances are energetic, exaggerated, and filled with typical Bollywood humor. It’s not about realism – it’s about fun and entertainment.
✍️ Dialogues and Writing Style of Cirkus movie
Cirkus’ writing is bold, loud, and tailored for a family audience. Dialogues are intentionally over-the-top, loaded with puns, rhymes, and slapstick.
Lines like:
- “Jhatka lagega, par current nahi lagega!”
- “Tu Roy hai ya Joy hai ya koi toy hai?”
…are designed to make audiences laugh with simplicity and rhythm.
The screenplay, written by Farhad Samji, Sanchit Bedre, and Vidhi Ghodgaonkar, relies on old-school confusion drama. The jokes come fast, with little breathing room.
The writing may not appeal to everyone. If you enjoy subtle humor, you may find it loud. But for those who like classic masala, this is a treat.
📢 Release and Promotion Strategy of Cirkus movie
Cirkus was one of the most anticipated Bollywood films of 2022, especially because it marked another collaboration between Ranveer Singh and Rohit Shetty after Simmba. The release was strategically timed around the Christmas weekend on December 23, 2022, aiming to cash in on the holiday crowd.
Key Promotions:
- Teaser and Trailer Launch:
The trailer was released in early December, just three weeks before the film. It emphasized the comedy, vibrant visuals, and Ranveer’s dual roles. Though it got mixed reactions, it created buzz due to its slapstick tone. - Social Media Campaigns:
Ranveer Singh, known for his social presence, shared behind-the-scenes videos and quirky posts. The hashtag #WelcomeToTheCirkus trended on Twitter. - TV & Reality Show Appearances:
The cast appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show, Bigg Boss, and Dance India Dance, keeping the promotions family-friendly. - Special Song Drop – “Current Laga Re”:
Deepika Padukone’s cameo in the song was used as a major promotional point. It was dropped just a week before release, creating viral hype on YouTube and Instagram reels. - Tie-ups and Merchandise:
Circus-themed merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, and posters were sold via online partners. The film even collaborated with a few children’s events and family outings to promote its circus theme.
Despite the marketing push, the film had stiff competition and public skepticism due to mixed expectations from slapstick comedies. However, the team stuck with the festive release to maximize footfall.
💸 Box Office and OTT Streaming Performance of Cirkus movie
Theatrical Box Office:
Cirkus had a wide theatrical release across 3,500+ screens in India and over 300 screens overseas. The film opened decently but didn’t meet expectations.
- Opening Day: ₹6.25 crore
- Weekend Total: ₹20.85 crore
- Lifetime India Gross: ₹35–40 crore
- Worldwide Gross: Approx ₹60 crore
It underperformed considering its star cast and scale. Trade analysts cited the outdated comedy style and weak word-of-mouth as reasons.
OTT Release:
After its theatrical run, Cirkus premiered on Netflix in February 2023.
On OTT, it performed better, especially among families and younger kids. The vibrant sets, cartoonish humor, and circus visuals were more digestible on home screens.
It trended in the Top 10 on Netflix India for nearly 2 weeks, giving it a second life and helping recover part of the investment through digital rights.
🧑⚖️ Critical and Public Reception to the Cirkus movie
Critical Response:
Most film critics gave Cirkus 1.5 to 2.5 stars out of 5. Reviews pointed out the outdated writing and loud humor. However, many praised the cast’s energy and the visual style.
Common praise included:
- Ranveer Singh’s commitment to both roles.
- Rich production design and colorful set pieces.
- Nostalgic nods to classic Bollywood farce.
Common criticism included:
- Predictable storyline.
- Overuse of physical gags.
- Weak emotional core.
Public Reception:
The audience response was mixed. While some enjoyed the light-hearted madness, many felt disappointed, especially those expecting a modern comedy.
Positive comments:
- “Good family entertainer after a long time.”
- “My kids loved the circus scenes and colors.”
Negative comments:
- “Felt like a TV serial stretched to two hours.”
- “Ranveer tried hard, but the script was weak.”
In short, Cirkus found its audience among families and younger viewers, but failed to appeal to urban, multiplex crowds.
🌍 Cultural Impact and Public Response
Despite its average box office performance, Cirkus had a modest cultural footprint for a few reasons:
- Visual Identity:
Its bright, cartoon-like visuals inspired memes and reels, especially around the Current Laga Re song. - Deepika Padukone’s Cameo:
Her appearance in the dance number gave the film viral mileage, making it a dance challenge across social media. - Retro Comedy Revival Attempt:
It sparked debates online about the return of Govinda-style, 90s Bollywood slapstick. Many young creators on YouTube and Instagram dissected the genre’s relevance in today’s time. - Cameo Universe Connection:
In the end credits, Rohit Shetty teased a connection to the Golmaal universe, suggesting that Cirkus is a prequel of sorts to the popular franchise. This fueled fan theories.
While Cirkus didn’t become a pop culture phenomenon, it did manage to stay relevant in conversations about Bollywood’s evolution.
🎬 Comparisons with Similar Movies
Cirkus fits into the category of confusion-based comedies and mistaken identity films. Here’s how it compares:
| Movie | Similarity | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Angoor (1982) | Also based on Comedy of Errors | Subtle, classic style |
| Judwaa / Judwaa 2 | Twin confusion and action comedy | More modern and youth-driven |
| Golmaal series | Rohit Shetty style humor | Golmaal had better writing |
| Housefull series | Slapstick, ensemble cast | Housefull leaned into absurdity more |
While Cirkus tried to recreate the magic of Angoor, its execution leaned more toward Housefull and Golmaal. But it lacked the tight writing or emotional connection of the best films in this genre.
🏆 Awards and Recognition
Despite its grand scale, Cirkus didn’t win many awards. Here’s a breakdown:
Nominations:
- Zee Cine Awards 2023
- Nominated: Best Actor in a Comic Role – Ranveer Singh
- Nominated: Best Choreography – “Current Laga Re”
- Bollywood Hungama Style Icons 2023
- Nominated: Most Stylish On-screen Couple (Ranveer & Jacqueline)
Wins:
- Screen Awards 2023
- Won: Best Production Design (for vibrant circus sets)
The film was largely overlooked during award season, mainly due to critical reception. However, it was appreciated for its technical finesse in set design and visual color palettes.
📝 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Cirkus is a film that swings between chaos and charm. It tries to revive an old-school comedy formula with Rohit Shetty’s signature flair and Ranveer Singh’s energy. While it falls short in delivering a tightly written story, it succeeds in giving visual joy and nostalgic slapstick moments.
It’s a film best enjoyed without logic, especially with family or kids. If you’re looking for cinematic depth, this won’t satisfy you. But if you want color, comedy, and confusion – Cirkus delivers exactly that.
In the larger picture of Bollywood, Cirkus stands as an experiment in bringing back forgotten genres, even if the attempt didn’t fully land.
What did you think of Cirkus? Let us know in the comments! 🎪🎬
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