3.0/5
Director: Sharat Katariya
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa and Alka Amin
A simple story is often the most profound. Sometimes, what seems like a skim on the surface actually goes much deeper than anticipated. Sharat Katariya’s Dum Laga Ke Haisha is one surprise package. What seems like a happy-go-lucky movie about odd love actually turns out to be an almanac for life. The series of events depicted in the film aren’t just limited to the goofy love saga of its protagonists. This is actually how real life pans out in matters of the heart and matrimony. If any film deserves to be a hit in 2015, it’s this brilliant piece of cinema.
The setting is Haridwar. The situation is a stereotypical marriage arrangement between two families. As is the norm in Northern India, two families pile up and meet at a common location. And even before the boy and girl can exchange glances, the alliance is on. The problem arises, when the boy’s family disregards his dislike for the girl because she’s fat and unattractive. Surprisingly, the movie never gets sexist. Instead, it portrays the girl, who is plus size, as a very attractive and self-respecting woman. Yes she loves the guy only after meeting him once and getting married to him on the second go. But even so, when it comes down to their moment of conflict, she chooses her dignity over her emotions. The contrast between the setting and the way the characters behave in a completely unorthodox manner is fascinating. Full marks to the writing team of Dum Laga Ke Haisha, who’ve painstakingly etched out great detail in the story, narrative, dialogue and characters.
It’s the characters who are the driving forces of this film. The most complex of them is the leading man Prem, played by Ayushmann Khurrana. He is your typical small town boy from the ’90s. His only worthwhile ambition is to take control of his dreams and life. He doesn’t want to be the richest guy in the world. Nor does he aspire to become powerful. He merely wants the world to know that he’s not invisible and he’s not useless. Even though that description seems like the most clichéd character in cinema, you have to see Ayushmann Khurrana’s portrayal to believe in how wonderfully flawed Prem is as a person. He’s closed his eyes, he’s deafened to the noise of the world by the Kumar Sanu hits blasting on his headphones. He’s hiding behind a wall of audio cassettes. A complete contrast to this guy is his wife Sandhya, played by debutante Bhumi Pednekar. She’s chubby, bubbly, outspoken and she can break into a dance at the first whiz of a whistle. When they come together you get a love story that’s not only fresh, but mature. It’s nothing like the usual Mills and Boons charade that happens in romantic movies. For once, a love story focuses on the respect needed between individuals to bond.
Seasoned actors like Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Alka Amin and Sheeba Chaddha chip in with the best of their talent. But the one person who really lives his character with branded authenticity is Ayushmann. The accented twang, the body language, the sense of frustration is all there. His performance is perfectly restrained and deftly nuanced. If you ever want to see a character spiraling downhill, this is the performance to go to. He just wrenches your heart. The background score by Andrea Guerra helps enhance the drama too. Bigger than all the drama is the charm of Bhumi Pednekar. In her debut film, she shows consummate ease with various emotions. The one reason your heart melts like chocolate lava cake, is because of her. She has to be the most gorgeous plus size woman in the film industry right now.
There are some great musical compositions by Anu Malik in the film. It’s a pity they’re not used as much through the final cut as would in another commercial film. Reason being, the story doesn’t really require that much music, but when that music plays in DLKH, it creates the perfect mood. This film is based in the ’90s, it even has a cameo by Kumar Sanu. And that treatment for this story is perfectly novel. A lot of thought and effort has been put into making this film. You’ll appreciate the seamless intertwining of humour and drama. And acting performances that are phenomenal.
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