If you are planning to watch Dil Dhadakne Do with the benchmark of Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in your mind, you are probably being a bit unfair there. Because a masterpiece can’t be created again and again, but if you have an open mind, normal expectations and a soft corner for the star cast, you are going to enjoy this sailing experience!
Before anything else, the first thing which came as a surprise was when we read this on the screen: ‘Special Appearance – Farhan Akhtar’. We felt fooled because half the reason why the audience would be drawn towards the movie is this MARD.
The movie begins just like a fairy tale, where a narrative voice introduces us to a high-society family and its members, along with acquainting us with their dark/hypocritical side in a sarcastic undertone. The film essentially revolves around the Mehra family with Kamal (Anil Kapoor), a rich ‘self made’ businessman who can’t stop talking about his achievements, his wife Neelam (Shefali Shah), a typical Socialite with thousands of insecurities, their son Kabir (Ranveer Singh) whose passion lies in flying planes but he has been told since ‘bachpan’ that he has to handle his father’s business and their elder daughter Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra), a successful entrepreneur who is living in an unsatisfying marriage and despite having a better business acumen, she has no say in her family business as she is no more a ‘Mehra’.
On Kamal and Neelam’s 30th anniversary, they plan a cruise and there begins a trip which changes their lives forever.
Ranveer falls in love with fearless Farah (Anushka) while his parents want him to get married to Noorie (Ridhima Sud) to crack business deal with her father, and midst all this chaos and shrewd games, what you witness is a huge bunch of rich and pretentious families whose spurious whims will shock you as well as make you laugh your guts off. The journey takes a jolting turn when Ayesha tells her family that she needs a divorce and the next thing she knows, her ex beau Sunny (Farhan Akhtar) is on the cruise!
What follows is a series of hilarious scenes, dialogues, confrontations, confessions and of course, some foot tapping songs! What truly stands out in this movie is Ranveer Singh, who with his terrific comic timing, expressions and impeccable acting, pulls off the character of Kabir. His chemistry with Anushka Sharma (who is the one with special appearance) looks as fresh as Band Bajaa Baraat and makes you smile especially when break into a dance to the beats of ‘Pehli Baar’. Who follows him in performance is Priyanka Chopra who in her effortless style and strong character shines throughout the movie, and is exceptionally powerful in a few scenes like the one where she tells her husband Manav (Rahul Bose)that she tried really hard to love him. Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah also play their characters really well ensuring that they are not overshadowed by the young and beautiful cast.
The movie had some slow moments, some where the narration was getting on the nerves, and some where things looked too larger than life, but if entertainment, fashion, locations, and a few laughs are what you are looking for, this definitely is a must watch.
Jaipur Beat 