Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Dum Laga Ke Haisha is produced by Yash Raj Films. Thinking about the Yash Raj productions of the early 2000s, one cannot escape the vision of glossy, expensive mainstream films, very romantic, often based abroad and if not, centring on wealthy individuals. Some of them were wonderfully entertaining, including Hum Tum and Salaam Namaste, which were racy and socially progressive for the times, but generally most of their films became quite synonymous with superficial and shallow commercial potboilers with nothing substantial to offer. Following quite a few exceptional gems earlier, like Band Baaja Baaraat and the likes, which started the trend of social and realistic romantic films, Dum Laga Ke Haisha is even a bigger step toward a whole welcome change in Hindi cinema, and it really is a breath of fresh air in both story and execution. This new brand of mainstream Hindi cinema, which deals with everyday issues within simple families from India's lower middle class, is a real blessing. Gone are the days when Indian filmmakers insisted on showing only the glamorous side of India or being ashamed of its simpler reality. On the contrary, recent commercial films, and this film definitely among them, celebrate this simple part of India, celebrate its beauty and cultural richness, going back to the magic of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's memorable middle-of-the-road cinema.

Indeed, Dum Laga Ke Haisha is one such film - it is beautiful, authentic, and it has this sense of everydayness that makes it a terrific watch. Obviously, the core theme of a young guy who is caught in an arranged marriage with an overweight young woman for whom he has zero attraction, is a true draw in and of itself, but it's not just that. The film is charming, just charming in the way it embraces its characters, its story and situations, in the way it rejects stereotypes, and in the subtle portrayal of the romantic buildup between the two leads. Acting-wise, too, the film is a delight. Ayushmann Khurrana as always does his socially conscious cinema, and he is terrific here. He is easy to judge or dislike, but at the same time so easy to understand and feel for. His gradual growth is convincingly portrayed. It is Bhumi Pednekar though who dominates this film with her brave turn. Obviously, the physical change is admirable (she put on quite a lot of weight for the part), but just as a character, she is wonderful, putting in a consistently credible, compassionate, and touching performance. A host of tremendous supporting actors all work together brilliantly. Dum Laga Ke Haisha is set in the mid-1990s, and it also manages to bring some nostalgic value for the music and innocence of those days. The film's last sequence is a cinematic triumph and a great conclusion to this wholesome entertainment that is both enjoyable and educational.

DLKH brings the much needed freshness in Bollywood romance movies. And it comes with a very strong message woven around a very sweet love story. The direction is impeccable with moderated melodrama.

Ayushmann Khurrana might never get the stardom like the Khans and the Kapoors but he is definitely one of those actors never afraid of doing path breaking movies and top them up with amazing natural acting - be it comedy or drama. But he gets a good competition from the new girl Bhumi Padnekar who delivers a very good performance, depicting a struggle of a fat girl in a white skin - size zero obsessed society of India. Sanjay Mishra, playing the role of Ayushmann's father, gives a memorable performance with really good dialog delivery topped up with brilliant comic timing.

The length of the movie is unusually short for a Bollywood movie but then quality is always more important than quantity. Overall, for someone in a mood to watch a light romantic movie, your search ends at DLKH.

This movie comes easily into the list of "movies I can watch anytime".

If the idea of a perfect girlfriend for you is defined by her size, this film is for you. Unlike the 60s and 70s when voluptuous women ruled the fashion scene, in the 21st century models eat tissue papers to fill their stomach. Coupled with a few movies and the business propaganda of health products and gyms, you have the perfect formula for disaster.

In DLKH, the story surrounds a family which has reached an agreement with another for the marriage of their children. The groom is particularly unhappy with the shapelessness of his bride, but having to abide by custom chooses to get married anyway lest it should make his family upset. Soon after the wedding, the bride realises the extent of her husband's mental block, when he refuses to get anywhere close to her.

The narrative is slow, covering the intricacies of the character's behavior coupled with the happenings of a small town in India. The acting is top-notch, allowing the viewer to diagnose every aspect. The film throws out its moral at you and even if you don't accept it, you are left with no choice but to appreciate it nonetheless.

Worth a watch.

This movie does touch the realistic side of commoners with a hint of comedy within it. In a span of two hours the movie covers all the problems and changes a newly wed couple go through. Groom not ready to accept that bird watching is no more an option for him and bride trying to settle in a house where her education is an envy point for others. The comic melodrama keeps the viewer glued to their seats till the end of the movie. Music is nice and simple which pushes viewer to cherish the old and simple times. It was hard to believe that Bhumi Pednekar debuted with Dumb laga ke Haisha. Her eyes and facial expressions never made me feel that I was missing anything in the movie. Part I loved was, when Ayushmaan and Bhumi fight over the songs to be played in the tape recorder. Must say a brilliant idea!!

When a movie teaser is released, it has to be catchy and interesting that should fuel the curiosity among the moviegoers to spend few bucks for that cinema. Dumb Laga Ke Haisha exactly works on that strategy. It had limited release ( 769 screens all over India) with shoe-string budget ( 13 crores) and unknown star-cast. What worked in its favor - is applauding performances, immensely likable story and mind-blowing script.

Marriages are made in heaven but for Prem( Aayush Khurrana), it was made in hell. In Dumb Laga Ke Haisha, marriage is made between two people of different background, different thinking and in different size.

New-bee director Sharat Katariya( 10 ML Love) is probably the talent to watch out for. The theme of the movie is simple yet noble, set in the mid-90's with background of beautiful city of Haridwar about simple, ordinary and middle-class business family which will remind of classic movies by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee. The movie is intrinsic to its core right from the beginning with hilarious moments enough to tickle your funny-bone. The initial reel will definitely bring down the house when the boy meets the girl. Even the divorce scene, the fight between the neighbours has been executed brilliantly that would put a smile on your face. Hats off to the director and script writer for making the best out of it. Background score and music is limited yet convincing. Art direction representing a typical middle-class household is worth-mentioning. Cinematography capturing the essence of Haridwar is eye-catching. Coming to the performances, Ayush Khurrana does a fabulous job as a push-over, introvert, loyal son. He does a good comeback after series of flops. New talent Bhumi Pednekar should walk away with few awards this year. This is her first film and the amount of maturity she shows in her acting is astounding. Sanjay Mishra as usual is brilliant.

Do yourself a favor, go and grab the tickets and embrace Dumb Laga Ke Haisha. Astounding 5/5