Bad Newz
A crazy laugh riot which will show the outcomes of two sophisticated Punjabi men and a Punjabi girl. One of the men has a one night stand with the girl and somehow, craziness happens when she is pregnant unexpectedly.
The film underperformed commercially against its small-scale budget of $9.6M, earning $8.5M globally (-11% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Bad Newz (2024) showcases carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Anand Tiwari's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 20 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Saloni Bagga
Akhil Chadha
Gurbir Pannu
Saloni's Mother
Main Cast & Characters
Saloni Bagga
Played by Triptii Dimri
A chef who finds herself pregnant with twins from two different fathers, navigating an unprecedented situation with humor and determination.
Akhil Chadha
Played by Vicky Kaushal
A charismatic and ambitious restaurateur who becomes one of the two fathers, dealing with the shocking revelation with his trademark energy.
Gurbir Pannu
Played by Ammy Virk
A sweet-natured and traditional man who is the other father, approaching the situation with genuine care and confusion.
Saloni's Mother
Played by Neha Dhupia
A supportive yet traditional mother who must grapple with her daughter's unusual pregnancy situation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Saloni is a successful chef working at a high-end hotel, confident and career-focused, living her dream life in Mussoorie.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 17 minutes when Saloni discovers Akhil's infidelity and their marriage collapses, leading to divorce and emotional devastation.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 35 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Saloni actively chooses to embrace life again during her trip, meeting both Akhil and Gurbir, leading to unexpected romantic encounters., moving from reaction to action.
At 70 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Saloni seems to have both men working together harmoniously for the babies' sake, and she feels in control of the unconventional situation., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 105 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Everything falls apart: the arrangement becomes untenable, both men want exclusive rights, and Saloni faces losing both relationships and her vision of an unconventional family., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 112 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Saloni realizes that love isn't about possession or traditional structures - it's about what's best for her children and accepting an unconventional modern family., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Bad Newz's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Bad Newz against these established plot points, we can identify how Anand Tiwari utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Bad Newz within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Saloni is a successful chef working at a high-end hotel, confident and career-focused, living her dream life in Mussoorie.
Theme
A colleague mentions that "love and family happen when you least expect them" - hinting at the film's exploration of unconventional family structures.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Saloni's world, her marriage to Akhil Chadha, their relationship dynamics, and the setup of their life together before things fall apart.
Disruption
Saloni discovers Akhil's infidelity and their marriage collapses, leading to divorce and emotional devastation.
Resistance
Saloni struggles with heartbreak, debates whether to move on, and eventually decides to take a solo trip to unwind and rediscover herself.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Saloni actively chooses to embrace life again during her trip, meeting both Akhil and Gurbir, leading to unexpected romantic encounters.
Mirror World
Saloni discovers she's pregnant and medical tests reveal heteropaternal superfecundation - twins with two different fathers, introducing the core premise.
Premise
The fun and games of the premise: both Akhil and Gurbir compete to prove they're the better father, while Saloni navigates this bizarre situation.
Midpoint
False victory: Saloni seems to have both men working together harmoniously for the babies' sake, and she feels in control of the unconventional situation.
Opposition
Complications intensify as families get involved, societal judgment increases, jealousy between Akhil and Gurbir escalates, and Saloni's control begins to slip.
Collapse
Everything falls apart: the arrangement becomes untenable, both men want exclusive rights, and Saloni faces losing both relationships and her vision of an unconventional family.
Crisis
Saloni hits rock bottom emotionally, questioning her choices and whether she can actually make this work, facing the darkness of potential single motherhood with twins.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Saloni realizes that love isn't about possession or traditional structures - it's about what's best for her children and accepting an unconventional modern family.
Synthesis
Saloni delivers the twins, both fathers are present, and they establish a new co-parenting arrangement that defies convention but works for their unique situation.
Transformation
Final image shows Saloni with her twins and both fathers co-parenting peacefully, having created a new definition of family - transformed from a woman seeking traditional love to embracing modern complexity.