Raised in Meerut, Rajshree Trivedi (Huma Qureshi) has always harbored dreams of becoming a sports presenter, undeterred by being overweight and approaching 30. Meanwhile, Saira Khanna (Sonakshi Sinha) is gradually getting her life on track, with a boyfriend, best friend, and aspirations to establish her own fashion label. Her opportunity arrives when a TV channel approves her idea for a fashion documentary in London. Simultaneously, Rajshri is shortlisted for a sports anchoring role. However, their dreams crumble as everything goes awry just when they thought they were set.
Body shaming serves as a pertinent topic and a societal issue demanding attention. While writer Mudassar Aziz and director Satram Ramani make an astute choice of subject and cast, their execution falters. The initial half of the film focuses on establishing the plot, laden with unnecessary diversions and stereotypes, diluting its effectiveness. Even as the narrative progresses, the story lacks coherence, relying on convenient coincidences that undermine the authenticity of the characters’ struggles. The film’s preachy tone and repetitive messaging hinder emotional engagement with the central theme of body shaming and gender norms.
Huma Qureshi’s earnest performance shines as a redeeming aspect of the film. She poignantly portrays Rajshri’s challenges and undergoes a physical transformation for the role. In contrast, Sonakshi Sinha’s character fails to evoke empathy due to uneven writing, despite her dedicated efforts. The film excels when Qureshi and Sinha share the screen. Other cast members, like Zaheer Iqbal, Mahat Raghavendra, and Alka Kaushal, contribute to the film’s dynamics.
While the concept of “Double XL” is refreshing and timely, its potential is diminished by subpar writing and execution. Despite addressing an important issue, the film struggles to convey its message effectively.
Rating: 6/10