The kind of vibe you get after watching Zoya Akhtar movie is always amazing. Watched it twice and am all praise over it, for the lifetime! Have read many reviews and all, but still here am I writing about the movie I loved so much.
The journey every family goes through, the complications everyone possesses, the shades everybody hides behind, the pretence every society surfaces on, and most importantly, the essence of family and love - Dil Dhadakne Do blends all these in one in such a simple, sweet and heart-warming narrative that one can easily relate to his/her own life; except the magnificent cruise though! Cruise is used as the metaphor and how!
Although the story is set in the elite class of India, it is relatable to all classes and societies. You laugh with them and you feel their pain, you will just feel good when you come out of theatre after almost three hours; that you just came out of the journey, parts of which you would eventually come across in your own life.
If writing and presentation is the heart of DDD, then performance is its heartbeat. Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have captured the different lives so convincingly in one and Farhan Akhtar has given them the words, as practical as it can get, to speak. However, Pluto’s understanding of people is more wonderful and thumps up for Javed Akhtar to give Pluto his words. Zoya has brought the depth onto the surface with so much ease, now not everyone can do the same as she does in her films. Every character has their own issues and they are projected in such a way that we, the audience, can feel them in a moment. Even the silences in the movie are loud as those silences deliver much intensely, specially for the characters Ayesha, Neelam and Kabir. We can actually get into their heads in those silences and feel them. The way every character has been given their individuality and importance is very endearing as is the way they are interrelated.
Neither the parents nor the children are
perfect, no family is perfect, but we still do love the family. This is what DDD has portrayed about the family; it is true and we all know it, may be realized even more after watching the movie. Likewise, the brother-sister relationship is another highlight of DDD and this shines through the film. Their eye-to-eye talk and their interactions are delight to watch. Equally delightful is to watch the family interaction scenes. Every time all four Mehras come on screen together, the intensity just gets higher. We become like, we do the family talk just in that way! And the main thing, movie floats as lightly as it deeply gets into our heart. It’s a fun watch but never fails to tickle our mind. There’s some serious issues raised but has a humor in all of them. Good movies continue to come, but this type comes rarely.
DDD talks about the women empowerment and gender equality too, and about freedom as well. How easily Frahan’s Sunny argues and makes sense about the talk of equality with Rahul Bose’s Manav that we just get into a thought “yeah, that’s the point”. Anushka Sharma’s Farah tells her story about choosing freedom and becoming a dancer, and we just love that.
Ensemble cast is awesome! The four, wait no, five Mehras are more than brilliant. They are the principal characters of movie and each of them has played their part amazingly. Anil Kapoor as the patriarch Kamal Mehra is outstanding, the perfect fit. He roars in every family discussion scenes, in his scene with Lalit Sood, his confrontation with Manav and many more. But the surprise package comes in the name Shefali Shah. Shefali as Neelam Mehra is marvelous; this is one of the powerful roles of mother in a movie. She has done the job so effortlessly and so outstandingly. Her expressions are too genuine that one can ask for. Why doesn’t she act often? We want to see her more on screen.
Priyanka Chopra has handled the most
complex part, Ayesha Mehra, and she has just nailed it like a champ. Her character is restrained one, she is suffocated but pretends to be happy; she is successful but she is lonely; but still never gets loud. Priyanka has done this superbly, her silences are deeper and she is every bit convincing as a smart successful businessperson, just as convincing as Shefali in a role of mother. Specially, when she confesses to Manav about not being able to love him and ask for divorce, PC’s awesome. Ranveer Singh is a delight to watch, he is superb as Kabir Mehra. His otherwise high energy gets controlled this time and this suave charming rich Kabir look is wonderful; he is too good in portraying it. He has charmed every time he has appeared on screen. His confused looks, his chemistry with Anushka, his confrontation with parents…he has come out as a gem. Finally, the fifth Mehra is the doggie Pluto Mehra and he’s cute, his explanations for his family in voice of Aamir Khan is even more cuter.
Anushka Sharma as Farah Ali is simply wonderful. So is Farhan Akhtar as Sunny Gill. They shine in their respective supporting roles. Scenes between Ranveer and Anushka and between Priyanka and Farhan are very good. They add a charm to the movie. Rahul Bose as Manav has performed very well. Ridhima Sud as Noorie, Zarina Wahab as Manav’s mother, Vikrant Massey as Rana, and Ayesha Raja Mishra as Indu Chachi have done decent jobs. All other supporting actors are good in their roles.
The direction, presentation, writing and performances only are not the beats of DDD, cinematography and music adds the equal beating to its heart. There are awesome visuals of the ocean, the grand cruise Sovereign and the beautiful Istanbul. Background score is perfect to the theme. Songs are fun and nice. Gallan Goodiyaan is a delight, Pehli Baar is rocking and Swing is fun. One can easily expect Phir Bhi Yeh Zindagi to come towards the end and title track as the end credits roll, but expectations doesn’t meet in case of these two songs!
Some flaws? Well, there might be. But I can hardly remember any as I’m in too love with this movie. The climax is a bit more filmy and dramatic. And hey, how does cruise dancers dance in Hindi language song? Not a problem, anyway. Movie is worth watching, that’s it.
Photo Courtesy: Official Twitter Handle of movie @DDDTheFilm
