Mumbai, Aug. 31 -- Eight years after its release, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se remains a film that brought together the unmistakable energy of the Deol family with the franchise's signature blend of comedy, romance and family entertainment. At the heart of this familiar universe, Kriti Kharbanda's Chikoo brought a different kind of energy - one that was youthful, refreshing and distinctly her own.

Being part of an established franchise comes with its own set of challenges. The Yamla Pagla Deewana series already carried a strong identity, largely shaped by the presence of Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. The audience came into the film with certain expectations, familiar with the larger-than-life humour and the personalities that had...