Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is a respectable directing debut from Dhar, and a film with its heart in the right place. The writing ought to have been braver. That would’ve made this film something worth crowing about; a film as memorable as the one whose iconic romantic song inspired this title.

What it comes down to is this: yes, we want to make a progressive film, but we have to show our women getting freed up only after getting male approval-and-help.

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga wishes to lend itself as a significant voice of change and support towards the LGBT community, but its woefully apologetic tone regarding individual choices repeatedly negates it when characters — both traumatised and enlightened — spew things like, ‘Yeh janam se hi aise hai’ or ‘I wish I was normal’.

Funny how a woman can fall in love with another woman and still need a man to ensure she gets her happy ending.

That’s normal enough for Bollywood.

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is entertaining as a film but fails to live up to the huge promises made by the promos. A brave attempt and full marks for the implementation. The very strong supporting cast and uproarious dialogues keep you attracted towards it.