Sweet Dreams

This dude, Victor Mukherjee, needs to spend more time learning and making stuff than he does consuming. Literally every frame of this project, as well as all of his previous so-called "endeavors," have been ripoffs or, as he would like to put it, "nods" or "homages," to his favorite shows and movies. These F. R. I. E. N. D. S. Watchers can never become actors or writers as much they have deluded themselves on the contrary.

Coming back to this movie, there's nothing else. Just nothing. Never until those typical final fifteen minutes would a character ever appear without a stupid smile on their face. The delivery of the lines make me think androids have long infiltrated among humans, while those embarrassing dialogues themselves are like translations of some kind of young adult novel - baseless "philosophical" discussions.

Bollywood has long been done, and I should have stayed away from this movie.

I have always been a great admirer of Amol and Mithila, but seeing them together on screen was truly a treat for the eyes. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and they brought a depth and nuance to their characters that was captivating to watch.

What resonated with me most, however, was the way the movie beautifully showcased the delicate balance between dreams and reality. In a world where romantic comedies often peddle unrealistic expectations and fairy-tale endings, this film offered a refreshing reality check.

Instead of relying on melodrama or clichés, the movie presented a thoughtful and relatable exploration of love, relationships, and the complexities of adult life.

Can life and love intersect in two separate dreams occurring at the same time to two different people? Sweet Dreams, a fluffy and fuzzy rom-com starring Mithila Palkar, Amol Parashar and Sauraseni Maitra, would have us believe that they can. The film is predicated on that fantastical notion. Willing suspension of disbelief, anyone ?

In support of its 'dreamy' narrative construct that moves between the real and the apparently imagined, the film, a Jio Studios presentation directed by Victor Mukherjee and out on Disney+Hotstar, enlists William Shakespeare and Hamlet. In a stray scene, it casually evokes what the Prince of Denmark said to a friend: "There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Kenneth "Kenny" Fernandes (Parashar) and Dia Jaisingh (Palkar) not only dream daily of each other without ever having met, but they also spend the rest of the film, and all their energies, looking for each other. They have friends and well-wishers who readily believe them and help them out.

Dia has her best friend Tanu (debutante Mohini Shimpi) by her side in times of need. Kenny's business partner Akash (first-timer Sukkarann Vats) and the latter's girlfriend and colleague Nubra (Ayesha Adlakha, also a debutante) are his go-to people. But eventually it is their own devices that the duo must rely upon as their "textbook attraction" draws them out of their dreams.

If love makes the world go round, Sweet Dreams makes two individuals go round and round in circles. The boy, coming off a messy break-up, has lost his grip on reality. He consults a therapist (Faye D'Souza in a special appearance).

The girl, an aspiring singer-songwriter, admits at one point that "I need to grow up". She is in a relationship with a restaurateur Ishant Chhetri (Meiyang Chang) who wants to relocate to Canada and open an eatery. They are in love all right but they aren't kindred spirits.

Kenny is a recycle artist, an unusual profession for a romantic hero who wants to escape the here and now and find solace in his dreams. In the real world, he finds a soulmate in the free-spirited Roop (Sauraseni Maitra) and takes her into confidence about the current state of his mind, confused and fragile.

The roles do not demand much from the actors but to their credit they infuse the characters with palpable charm. Mithila Palkar is especially good as the girl who chases elusive certitudes in a world where everything is in a state of flux.

Amol Parashar provides the perfect foil with his effortless fleshing out of a man whose heart and head work at cross-purposes. Sauraseni Maitra makes her supporting role count for much more than the footage apportioned to it.

While the idea behind the story was interesting, the way it was presented didn't work for me. The pacing was very slow, and many parts felt unnecessary. It seemed like the creators were trying too hard to make everything perfect, but instead, it ended up feeling forced and incomplete.

The characters didn't feel real or relatable, which made it hard to care about what happened to them. Some parts of the story didn't connect well, leaving a lot of confusion. Instead of feeling mysterious or thought-provoking, it just felt like something was missing.

I kept waiting for something exciting or engaging to happen, but it never did. By the time I reached the middle, I was so bored that I almost gave up watching.

I gave two stars because the concept had potential, but the execution wasn't great. If the pacing was faster and the story was more engaging, it could have been much better. Unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.

"Sweet Dreams" (2025) tells the story of Kenny, a recycling artist recovering from a breakup, and Dia, an aspiring songwriter in a complicated relationship. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they start connecting in their dreams, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

The movie introduces a fresh and unique concept, offering something new for audiences. The acting, cinematography, and overall presentation are commendable, giving it a feel-good vibe. However, the story lacks the depth and engagement it needs, and the pacing feels slow at times. Some scenes feel unnecessarily stretched, and a tighter runtime would have improved the experience.

If you're in the mood for a one-time watch with an unconventional premise, Sweet Dreams is worth a try. A solid 6/10.