Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

I wanted to watch this in the theatre but skipped it due to not-so-great reviews. Now, I don't think that was a wrong decision.

It's a love story where Krishna and Vasudha drift apart as Krishna gets involved in a double homicide, only to reunite after 23 years of prison time.

Mature love stories are generally rare in Indian cinema, which adds a sense of novelty to this film. Unfortunately, the love story itself hasn't been explored properly, leaving you feeling unfulfilled. Additionally, the story is told in a non-linear fashion, alternating between flashbacks and the present, which causes emotional disconnect at several points. Just as you start getting engrossed, the timeline shifts, pulling you out of the moment.

Ajay Devgn does good in such serious role where he has to majorly hold one emotion throughout which he did decently. Tabu, as always, shines with a first-class performance. Shantanu Maheshwari, playing a younger Ajay, transitions seamlessly and performs well. Sai Manjrekar, portraying a young Tabu, surprisingly holds her ground. Jimmy Shergill has limited screen time but makes his presence felt with his performance.

The songs are average, with some forgettable tracks that may not stay with you long. The makers did a good job with the VFX, recreating Bombay of that era, but strangely neglected to dub for Shantanu and Sai. How do Ajay's and Tabu's voices change as they age? It's not like their younger versions were children. The VFX of half constructed Bandra work sea link was nice touch.

When a movie comes from Neeraj Pandey, you naturally have high expectations but here you are left unsatisfied. It's a decent movie but lacks depth and emotional weight, despite a strong ensemble cast. Watch it for the love of the cast, and not much else.

#pranureviews #AuronMeinKahaDumTha #AuronMeinKahaDumThaReview.

If you love old school romance movies like 99 & all, you will like this.

Minus some slow motions and needless shots with mediocre actions scenes as compared to Neeraj Pandey's previous work.

Basic story line with Love at its core. Feels like 90's movie in 2024. Brilliant background score and some beautiful melodies.

I am sucker of this kind of movies. So I loved this.

This movie could have been wrapped under 2 hours screen time, a little long but you won't regret it as the last turn was unexpected.

And I wasn't expecting much as it didn't perform well in theatres but I was surprised because it's a really good watch.

Hope you enjoy it as well.

Neeraj Pandey is the creative mastermind and director of some of the finest nail biting crime thrillers of recent times like A Wednesday, Special 26 and Spy thrillers like Baby, Special Ops so the automatic expectation from a movie directed by him is a edge of the seat thriller that will keep us guessing till the final scene. His movies are fast paced, larger than life and focused on the "thrill" like a modern age Hitchcock. Just like it would be very difficult to imagine Hitchcock dish out a slow burn character study, dealing with complex emotions and relations, expecting a movie like "Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha" from Neeraj Pandey is equally difficult and unexpected. With this movie Neeraj Pandey shows that he can do so much more than thrillers, unfortunately he lost most of his audience at the box office that expected to watch another Neeraj Pandey styled thriller.

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha which was mislabeled as a Romantic thriller maybe a box office debacle but it is a masterful examination of a real bond of adoration and a true connection of the heart and soul between two humans. Pandey does a good job of gradually peeling the onion to show the internal strength of Ajay's character with a great use of flashbacks and new character integration as the story moves forward. Ajay and Tabu deliver brilliant performances in their respective roles and are the heart and soul of the movie. Shantanu and Saiee are good and believable as the younger version of the movie's protagonists even though they dont look anything their senior counterparts who completely overshadow them with their talent.

The movie falls below expectations of a quick paced Neeraj Pandey thriller, firstly by setting the wrong expectations of a thriller for the audience, secondly by its slow burn approach and finally by the almost expected twist at the end which renders the climactic jolt of emotions at the end of the movie a bit impotent. Ajay Devgn and Tabu excel in their roles as two people who share an unbreakable bond as Neeraj Pandey explores complex themes of love, friendship, relationships that many wont have the courage to try making the title of the movie not only fitting for the movie's characters but also for its creator.

Howeever the slow pace of the movie with a run time of 2 hours focused on a study of characters and their relationships is a bit counterintuitive to the introduction of its protagonist as a deadly and violent individual feared in prison. This augments the incorrect expectations already set up by Neeraj Pandey helming another so called thriller. The result is disappointing to fans of action flicks and thrillers and somewhat of a deterrent for fans of serious romantic and emotional dramas. Perhaps this is the reason the movie has not been able to find its audience.

This is not the movie for fans of a loud Devgn in Singham, Golmaal, Shaitaan etc but is a movie for fans of an introspective and reserved Devgn of HDDCS, Raincoat and Zakhm. I liked the movie but my wife dozed off pretty early on in the movie. It would have benefited from shorter run time, a lower budget (Why did it need Rs 150+ crore), better and more honest marketing as a romantic drama. The movie along with Ajay and Tabu's performances definitely deserve an audience. This movie is not about an outward display of power AKA dum but an introspection of the dum inside us. A slow and emotionally rewarding drama. 7.5/10.

Neeraj Pandey's Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha is a departure from the typical romantic fare and a slow-burn exploration of love, loss, and longing. The narrative unfurls in a prison, introducing us to a formidable Krishna (Ajay Devgn) before it shifts gears to unveil a tender love story. The flashback takes us to a younger Krishna's (Shantanu Maheshwari) romance with Vasudha (Saiee Manjrekar) and how an incident sends him to prison for 25 years. Upon an earlier release owing to good behaviour, Krishna reunites with a now-married Vasudha (Tabu). The ensuing story between the past and present is the film's core.

Pandey's script is a lesson in subtlety, allowing the characters and their emotions to take centre stage. The narrative is anchored by Ajay Devgn's nuanced portrayal of Krishna and his transformation from a formidable convict to a vulnerable lover. Interestingly, Shantanu Maheshwari has a completely contrasting character arc (from a simple and noble guy to a savvy prison survivor) but is as effortless as his senior co-star. Tabu delivers a performance of quiet intensity, capturing the complexities of a woman haunted by the past and coming to terms with her present. The duo's chemistry is palpable, adding depth to the film's emotional core. While Saiee Manjrekar delivers an equally good performance, Jimmy Shergill has a short but impactful role as Vasudha's husband, Abhijeet.

In addition to the powerful performances, MM Kreem's evocative background score is a standout element, contributing significantly to the film's poignant vein.

On the flip side, the movie is inconsistent in its tonality, with elements reminding you of 90s Bollywood fares, complete with festival songs, an athletic Krishna taking on beefy goons, action sequences in the rain, and so on. Kathikuloth Praveen's editing is jerky at various places in the first half. The major twist and the crime's revelation are predictable and have nothing new to offer. Although deliberately languid, the plot feels stagnant by the interval, picking up pace in the second half. Post-interval, the movie also elicits a few chuckles thanks to Krishna's best friend, Jignesh (Jay Upadhyay).

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha is an attempt at a mature love story that falters in execution, with its slow pace and predictable plot hindering its impact. Watch this one if you appreciate deliberate pacing and emotionally charged narratives.

"Auron Mein Kaha Dum Tha" may not break new ground in terms of its storyline, but it excels in direction, BGM, and authentic performances. The director's ability to create a visually engaging and emotionally resonant film is commendable. The BGM enhances the narrative, providing an auditory experience that deepens the emotional connection with the characters.

The performances are the heart of the film, with each actor bringing their character to life in a way that feels genuine and relatable. This combination of skilled direction, evocative music, and powerful acting makes "Auron Mein Kaha Dum Tha" a worthwhile watch. It serves as a reminder that even familiar stories can be told in ways that resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. While the plot may not be groundbreaking, the film's execution transforms it into a memorable cinematic experience that lingers in the mind and heart.