Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani

While it is admirable to watch an LGBTQ themed film, I felt there was scope for so much more. Casting two appealing actors who are so uncomfortable with being perceived as gay is so deeply unconvincing for the audience. It was after watching this film that I felt that perhaps casting queer characters (who are comfortable with their sexuality) would have made so much of a difference. The vibe between the two protagonists were those of two besties rather than lovers. The embrace, or kiss, if it was one at all, might have passed had it been a pantomime. Certainly not for a film. That the heterosexual kiss was more convincing than the embrace of the two queer men was an absolute shame. The comic elements in the script was what worked well. One moment that stood out for me was the grandmother being accepting of her grand-son-in-law knowing that he too is a child created by God. What we definitely need are films with actors who are comfortable embodying their characters.

Many people are criticising about how they failed as a LGBTQ+ movie , being gay in an Indian family, not showing those moments fully but for me this movie isn't focused on how you face difficulties for being gay in an Indian family or how much you suffer in relationships , it was just a good , romantic , simple movie with just happiness with the purpose to enjoy it with whole heart Although I also feel that everything happened so fast in the movie but as we know India is still trying to make LGBTQ+ projects so we should be patient and enjoy these little projects Personally I enjoyed it so much.

With some endearing numbers from the movie, I felt compelled to check this out. But it only has these musical numbers going for it.

The story follows a closeted Punjabi boy from a joint family who meets an extroverted Bengali boy, falls in love, and plans to get married. Amid culture clashes and wedding chaos, how they navigate their wedding dreams forms the crux of the story.

On paper, this story may have seemed promising, but in execution, it fails miserably. The entire plot feels like it's based in a utopian world. The screenplay is patchy, with no narrative flow, and everything unfolds far from reality. The whole Punjabi vs Bengali clash feels outdated, and if the creators thought it was comedic, it came across as cringeworthy at best. The acceptance of the couple by an orthodox Punjabi family, along with a girl trying to sabotage the wedding even after knowing the guy's sexuality, is far-fetched.

Sunny Singh could certainly benefit from some acting classes if he intends to pursue a career in acting; he looked highly uncomfortable in this role. Aditya Seal is decent and manages to balance the performance to some extent, though their chemistry is lacking. Forget appearing as lovers-they didn't even seem like best friends. The rest of the cast is simply a mockery.

The best part of the movie is its soundtrack. From beautiful melodies to dance numbers, the album is worth a listen. But strangely, they even faked kissing scenes between the leads, while showing a proper kissing scene with a girl. If you're making an LGBT movie, either do it properly or don't. The cinematography is poor, and even with foreign locations and wedding sets, the movie fails to be visually appealing.

It's encouraging to see known actors taking on such projects to normalize representation, but this movie is a poor example. Watch the songs on YouTube and skip the movie to save your time.

#pranureviews #AmarPremKiPremKahani #AmarPremKiPremKahaniReview.

Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani attempts to break new ground in Bollywood by portraying a same-sex relationship, and for that reason alone, it deserves recognition. In an industry where LGBTQIA+ representation has often been sidelined, having a mainstream movie like this signals progress. I was excited to see a film that had the potential to bring authenticity to the queer community's relationships on screen. While the film is full of feel-good moments and is overall entertaining, it falls short in areas that matter the most when portraying a same-sex love story.

Let's start with the positives. The fact that this film was made at all is a step in the right direction. Bollywood has a long-standing history of underrepresenting queer relationships, and to see a director and production team finally take the leap deserves praise. The film's visuals are bright, the soundtrack is memorable, and the pacing keeps you engaged. Additionally, the actors are undeniably talented, with both having delivered phenomenal performances in their past roles. The emotional climax towards the end of the film, where tears are shed and emotions come to the forefront, was easily the most compelling and heartfelt scene.

But, despite the earnest attempt, Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani doesn't quite land the authenticity that a queer love story needs in 2024. The romance between the two leads feels forced and lacks genuine chemistry. The characters behave as if they are close friends rather than romantic partners. If you've ever seen a truly well-executed LGBTQIA+ love story on screen, you'd know it isn't just about putting two men or two women together and calling it a romance; it's about capturing the nuances, the struggles, and the deeply personal emotional journey that queer individuals go through. That is sorely missing here.

One of the major flaws in the movie is that the relationship depicted feels oddly straight. By that, I mean that the dynamics, the interactions, and even the tropes in the love story feel like they've been lifted from the playbook of heterosexual Bollywood romances. Queer relationships are unique, and while there are overlaps in the human experience of love, there are aspects specific to LGBTQIA+ relationships that this film barely scratches the surface of. There's no deep exploration of their identities, no examination of the challenges queer people face. Instead, the movie sticks to a formula we've seen over and over in countless Bollywood romances - a formula that doesn't fit when the characters are queer.

The lack of romance is a huge problem as well. Even though the actors are phenomenal in their other roles, their performances here feel awkward and hesitant. It's almost as if they are holding back, and this is painfully obvious during the kissing scenes. The awkwardness of these moments is distracting. While one lead actor previously played a romantic scene with a woman convincingly, their interactions with their male co-star feel stilted, and the "kissing" scenes barely register as affectionate. You can tell the actors are moving their heads in ways that avoid any real intimacy, which completely undermines the emotion of those moments. When you are watching a love story, whether straight or queer, you want to feel the romance, but here, it falls flat.

Despite these flaws, I'm giving this film 10 stars because we have to acknowledge the courage it takes to create a movie like this in Bollywood. There's no doubt that Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani is a fun watch - the pacing, the music, and the light-hearted moments will keep you entertained. However, it's crucial that Bollywood filmmakers understand that queer representation is not just about swapping out the gender of a romantic lead; it's about telling stories that resonate deeply with the LGBTQIA+ community. It's 2024 - we watch films not just for entertainment but to see parts of ourselves reflected on screen. Queer relationships deserve the same level of care, relevance, and authenticity that straight relationships have received for decades.

Here's hoping that this film opens the door for more realistic, emotionally impactful, and genuinely queer love stories in Bollywood's future.

A Heartfelt Journey with Flaws

This film offers a touching storyline that beautifully weaves together emotion and music, creating moments that genuinely resonate with the heart. The plot is engaging, with a climax that delivers a satisfying conclusion, leaving viewers with a sense of fulfillment.

However, the acting performances, particularly by Amar, fall short of the film's emotional potential. Instead of immersing the audience in the story, it often feels like they are merely going through the motions. In contrast, Prem stands out with a more authentic performance, managing to bring a sense of realness to his character, despite the fact that he doesn't align with the character's background.

Despite these shortcomings, the film is still worth a watch. Its beautiful music and poignant moments make it an experience that many will appreciate, even if the acting could have been stronger. Overall, it's a heartfelt journey that, despite its flaws, leaves a lasting impression.