Rating: 3.5/5
REVIEW:
“Glossy wrappers lack good gifts” is a phrase that might have to take a small break from the real world, for Zoya delivers such an enjoyable piece of art that it becomes tough to get over the impact. Dil Dhadakne Do is happiness gifted to us by Zoya, in a really glossy gift paper.
When the film begins, we come to know the internal problems through which the Mehras are suffering. A family headed by a headstrong couple who are desperate to expand their failing business, Mehra parivar is nothing but an exaggerated reflection of our own families. A modern high class family with primitive thoughts.
The best thing about the film is the way in which Zoya has played with relationships. For instance, we have never seen siblings which are so supportive of each other. Instead, we have always seen a boring, love-hate-fighting relationship. It is thoroughly examined that the film is a visual masterpiece, credit here to the cinematographer. Dialogues, by Farhan Akhtar are outstanding. They win the audience’s heart and thus, win half the race. The background music is average. The music is decent, with Gallan Goodiyaan being an impressively enjoyable song in the film. The script is quite convenient. For a director like Zoya, who has the guts to direct fearless films, this kind of script does not quite suit. A dog being used to narrate human behaviour is again not very admirable. This narration tool should be used only when your film needs to connect to the masses of small towns, in order to make them understand. But Zoya, knowing her target audience should not actually have used this style. In films like DDD, such narration acts as quite a distraction when audience is enjoying delightful scenes, and they suddenly get a tip on human behaviour, something that quite fails to make any impact. Another flaw comes when Kamal Mehra decides a cruise trip. Now, not even the richest of all kings would dare to pay for a cruise trip when facing bankruptcy. Again, the film’s climax is very hurried. In fact, it packs up without even giving a proper ending. But the climax, despite being such a hurried one, has a strange feel good factor about it.
Performances are by far the best thing about this film. Ranveer Singh as Kabir Mehra does a wicked job. It is for the first time after Lootera, that he has done something so good as to be honoured. Special mention should be given to his sublime comic timing. Moreover, the way his character develops through the film is remarkable. He starts off as a man who is absolutely aimless in life, one who is a spoilt brat before everyone but his parents, seeming very confident on the crust, but very nervous inside. And by the end of the movie, even the fear of his parents has vaporised, and in a very realistic way.
Priyanka Chopra as Ayesha Mehra is very good. Hers is a role of a smart, yet grounded woman, and she does justice to it. The best thing about her is that despite having such a nervous role, it is her body language that brings comedy in her parts.
Anil Kapoor as Kamal Mehta is absolutely outstanding. He delivers the best performance in the film. He is a real character to be remembered. He is facing bankruptcy, and yet prefers to pay for a cruise trip to keep his respect high. He appears to be a very steel hearted man, but yet, when a finger is put on his daughter, he’ll choke you to death. Splendid.
Shefali Shah as Neelam Mehta is again very good. A woman who seems to be modern, but can go to any limit to save her daughter from a divorce. A woman who fights her tears when her husband ignores her for other women on her anniversary, she is a very strong character.
Anushka Sharma in her role is quite good, while Farhan Akhtar leaves us rooting for him. Rahul bose also gives a good support, while Ridhima Sud as Nuri seems to be a trained perfectionist.
On a whole, Dil Dhadakne Do is a really enjoyable fare. Although the kind of film it is, it deserved a lot more than being victimised by such a flawed script. Yet this heavily inappropriate script cannot stop this film from being a good watch. Even its hurried climax has a feel good factor about it.