Dum Laga Ke Haisha

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

Dumb Laga Ke Haisha is a movie that celebrates the unfounding of size and space, and juxtaposes it against the flight of ambitions in a detailed, layered, yet breezy romance that acts as both a social commentary, as well as a mainstream romantic comedy.

A narrow by-lane in Haridwar leads to a narrow minded class ten failed simpleton Prem (Ayushman Khurana in a refreshingly natural role) of the 1990s who dreams of Juhi Chawla but is instead married off to a portly and much more educated Sandhya (Bhumi Pednekar in a supremely brilliant and dauntless debut).

While she dreams of a government job as a school teacher and a husband who respects her, he has nightmares about everything she stands for - be it her intellect or weight. What follows is a refreshingly original and daring film that overcomes stereotypes while bringing a smile on our faces, even as it tugs at our heartstrings.

Here the 90s is captured in stunningly nuanced detail by writer-director Sharat Katariya several times, as is the language of Uttar Pradesh (mostly), and the life of a small town (perfectly).

Be it a dash of Limca to get over retching, the unspiralling of cassettes using pens, watching of movies in VCPs and VCRs, using landline phones, giving missed calls, the fascination with Kumar Sanu, or a fight using songs being played by a warring couple, the makers get the 90s spot on. What also makes the majority of the scenes worth the 'wait' is Bhoomi Pednekar who 'weighs' her emotions while adding ample 'weight' to her character through a gamut of emotions that are sure to resonate with your heart.

Adding 'weight' to the plot is a series of sub plots involving a separated elderly aunt, parents and in-laws struggling with their values, ethics, and modernity, a young brother preparing for his board exams, a 'sankha' with its moralistic lessons, jealous friends, and a contest 'Dum Laga Ke Heisha' aimed to test the ultimate bonding between a married couple. There is humor, action, emotion, shame, romance, and triumph in equal measure that help the film measure up to the 'weighty' expectations of any discerning viewer gasping for a breath of fresh air. What helps is an able supporting cast that makes you want to 'wait' and watch the proceedings.

This small film involving small town people is sure to occupy a not so small space in your hearts and minds. All you need to do is give it a chance - just like the leads of this film are told time and again, and love will surely follow.

Watch it for an era gone by, for an unconventional heroine, for relationships that survive against the test of time, and for that sense of nostalgia that is impossible to ignore. And last, but not the least, for Kumar Sanu - who is back (along with Sadhana Sargam and Annu Malik no less). This 'Ishq' is 'Kararaa' indeed... and definitely worth its 'weight' in terms of originality, story, and execution. What are you 'waiting' for? Watch it in your nearest theater and do your bit to support good mainstream cinema with a refreshing storyline... Take a bow Yashraj Films!

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.

A film released.... a stereotype breaks.... an actress doesn't need to be size zero to become a heroine.... A strong story line, screenplay, dialogues, performances by Ayushman khurana and the newcomer bhumi phednekar.... is ready to surprise the audiences.... Music by Anu Malik gives a down to memory lane ride of the 90's.... its a Kumar Sanu Musical all the way...this is the first time i saw audiences sitting right till the end until the song is finished.... Finally with Dumb LAGA KE HAISHA.... Yash raj Films comes up with another love story with a standard of DDLJ and Rab ne bana di jodi..... Its a thumbs up for this movie.....

There are certain films that you go to watch with low expectations and they just blow you off with impeccable story telling. DumLagaKeHaisha is one of them.

There is hardly any moment in this 2 hr movie that can bore you and every scene has something to offer to the viewer. Its a simple story from Hindi heartland set on the basic premise that love cant be forced, it will happen if it has to no matter how the opposite person looks.

Performance wise lead protagonists - Ayushman Khurana and Bhumi Pednekar - are good. More importantly their odd chemistry works. Sanjay Mishra is top notch. Other supporting cast is also noteworthy.

Director Sharat Kataria is the one who deserves maximum credit for this lovely movie. He does not give too much space to melodrama and keeps the narrative simple. He does take some cinematic liberties to tell his story but that can be easily ignored. Finally, kudos to YashRaj banner (which has produced some obnoxious movies recently) for supporting this movie.

Go watch this movie. It deserves a share of your income to say the least.