Showing posts with label Dear Zindagi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dear Zindagi. Show all posts
Cinema | 5 Reasons to Watch Dear Zindagi
The headline may have left you wondering, "Didn't Dear Zindagi release last year already?" Well, it sure did. However, I know several folks who missed the chance to watch this acclaimed film on the big screen. But, guess what? The wait is finally over. The film is all set to air on the small screen this weekend, with a World Television Premiere scheduled on Sunday at 12 pm. For those who came in late, Gauri Shinde's directorial venture 'Dear Zindagi' stars Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead, and focuses on mental health as the core subject.
But, you may ask - Why should I spend my Sunday afternoon watching this film, instead of the good ol' drama show or match highlights? Well, we've got more reasons than one to prove why you must tune into Zee Cinema and watch Dear Zindagi this Sunday.
Alia - SRK Chemistry: In an industry where romantic on-screen pairs and characters rule the roost, we had SRK and Alia display excellent chemistry as a therapist (psychiatrist) - patient pair. Highlight of the film, of course, has got to be their counselling sessions. The ease and comfort with which they interact is fabulous. Their conversations look real and relatable, which makes it an interesting watch.
SRK in a different avatar: We have seen him steal our hearts as Raj Malhotra in DDLJ, and more recently, he taught us how 'Koi dhanda chota nahi hota' in Raees. Well, that's superstar Shah Rukh Khan for you - versatile as ever. While we have seen him essay several characters ranging from a lover boy to don, street side tapori to a heartbroken professor; his character in Dear Zindagi was a breakaway from everything he has done in the past. Khan plays the role a therapist for the very first time, and that too, with a twist. His character - Jehangir 'Jug' Khan has a unique approach for all his cases. What's it all about? You need to watch the film and find out.
Music: Most of us believe that the soundtrack of a film can make or break it. Fortunately, Dear Zindagi is packed with some refreshingly different and melodious songs. Amit Trivedi's compositions and Kausar Munir's soulful lyrics form a great melange, that is heartwarming, light and easy on the ear. Our favourites have got to be 'Love you Zindagi', sung by Jasleen Royal and of course, the recreated version of 'Ae Zindagi' sung by Arijit Singh. You can't help but fall in love with the OST, slowly and steadily.
Performances: One of the key highlights and strongest pro of this film has got to be the performances delivered by lead actors, and well, our reviewer too agreed. Alia's nuanced performance as the young cinematographer - Kaira, who fights against her inner emotional turmoil, earned her accolades from industry stalwarts. The actress took home top awards for her natural, balanced act. Khan's naturally flawless performance as therapist Jug strikes an instant connect. Minutes into his 'gyan filled session' and you will believe that indeed, this world is a beautiful place to live in.
The Takeaway: While Dear Zindagi does have its usual entertainment and filmy moments that stay with you, the biggest takeaway from this film has got to be the motivation to live, love and laugh. Today, we live a fast paced life, follow hectic routines and tire ourselves to no end, all in our quest to emerge successful and become the best. The crazy competition out there has got us stuck in a whirlwind, and the way out usually gets quite difficult. The result? We have forgotten to enjoy some of life's most simplest pleasures. Or like a friend of mine likes to call it - 'Theraav'. Enjoying a mango popsicle on a sunny day or watching the raindrops pitter-patter on the window pane with a cup of coffee in hand; we usually ignore these moments because everybody is in a rush to be 'somewhere'. In a bid to follow the herd, stick to routines or live upto societal pressures, most people lose their mental peace. Dear Zindagi explores this very concept in a beautiful way. It has the answers to a 20-something's inner turmoil, and also helps the audience discover a different side to life. A side that he / she may know about, but had to leave behind in order to join the rat race. It's about time we respect ourselves, enjoy the small joys of life and learn to live a little.
This Sunday, get your family together with a large tub of home-made popcorn (or maybe, some yummy lunch), tune in, sit back and relax. Watch the World Television Premiere - Dear Zindagi, on April 23 at 12 pm IST, only on Zee Cinema.
Dear Zindagi | Film Review
Jo dil se lage…Usey keh do Hi, Hi, Hi
Jo dil na lage….Usey keh do bye, bye, bye
Gauri Shinde’s second directorial film Dear Zindagi opens up as the diary of a young girl (nope, not quoting the book here) and her journey. It begins with Kaira’s (Alia Bhatt) dreams, ambitions and ends up by putting her broken past together. Although the story here revolves around Kaira’s life and her chronicles, but Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) aka Jug becomes a critical part of the story telling process.
Kaira is a cinematographer, who dreams of filming a feature film. Unfortunately, this golden opportunity arrives at her doorstep, along with a heartbreak. One on hand, she is chasing her dreams, while on the other, she suffers a heartbreak. As a result, the girl is unable to cope with all the trauma and loses her sleep. She seeks help from Dr. Jehangir Khan, a psychiatrist with a completely different take on mental health. Kaira finds a confidante in Jug and opens up about her broken past as well as the anxieties in her life. The film also has other characters that may not contribute to the story, but had their share of roles in the film. But, Dear Zindagi is predominantly Kaira’s story.
The first half of the film manages to entertain the audience with Alia’s natural act as Kaira. A few other characters too perform well. However, the film has a slow pace and a few moments here, there tend to lead towards boredom. Moments before the interval, Shah Rukh’s entry as Jug creates some serious curiosity and you look forward to watching the story move forward. As the second half kicks off, we see how Jug imparts gyaan and helps Kaira find herself back. He inspires her to look at life through a different perspective. Shah Rukh’s character uses some absorbing metaphors in the film to convey these points, which we thought was quite interesting. However, after a point, his character takes a turn to being just a philosophical guru.
The screenplay of the film is scattered and we don’t know if it was done deliberately in order to symbolise Kaira’s own scattered emotions and life. Amit Trivedi has done a good job with the music, and even after the film, the song ‘Love you Zindagi’ stays with you. Film maker Gauri Shinde had really raised the bar with English Vinglish and our expectations were high. However, it seems like while focusing on the characters and making them the highlight of this film, the story got lost in the process. For us, the only thing which kept the film going was Alia and SRK’s fabulous performance. The young actress has once again proved that she is indeed one of the finest female actors of her generation.
Verdict: Good performances overshadow the flaws in this one. Give it a watch for Alia and SRK!
What are your thoughts on Dear Zindagi? Leave a comment below or join the conversation on Twitter
No relationship exists without love - Alia Bhatt | Exclusive Interview
It has been a great year for the effervescent Alia Bhatt. While her films went on to become successful, the actress earned much praise for her performances and the wonderful transformation - from the metropolitan free spirit Tia in Kapoor & Sons to the rustic girl with dreams in Udta Punjab. With two successful films behind her, the actress is now gearing up for her next release - the much anticipated Dear Zindagi, helmed by Gauri Shinde. We have seen her hop-skip-jump to attend one promotional event after another and single handedly managing most tasks, to spread the word about her film. In between one such hectic day, we managed to catch up with Alia at a suburban hotel, in a very candid mood. The actress walked in looking pretty as ever, with minimal accessories and make up. She was oozing confidence and perhaps telling the world – what you see is what you get. Excerpts from our candid tete-a-tete with the actress:
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| Image Credit: Verve Magazine |
Now that the film is 3 days away from release, how will you sum up your experience working in Dear Zindagi?
It was a very fresh and wonderful experience. Dear Zindagi is a unique film, as the idea and theme is very different from what we usually see nowadays. The entire experience is very dear to me.
Kaira – the character you are playing in Dear Zindagi, is also very different. Do you relate to her in your real life?
Well, Kaira is impulsive, while Alia is not. Having said that, I must admit that from all the characters I have played on screen till date, this was the closest character to my real life. Also, this film is meant for the youth in their twenties. They will relate a lot to it. Ditto their parents.
This is also your first film with Shahrukh Khan. What has been your biggest takeaway from this particular experience?
He has been in the industry for 25 years. But still, he is so humble. What I like most about him is the fact that he will go out of the way to make you comfortable. It's a rare thing for a superstar like him. And also he doesn't carry the burden of his stardom on the sets or even otherwise. He treats everyone equally. While shooting, we would talk about anything and everything. He would always make sure that we are comfortable. One common thing between me and him would be our thinking patterns. They match very well.
He has been in the industry for 25 years. But still, he is so humble. What I like most about him is the fact that he will go out of the way to make you comfortable. It's a rare thing for a superstar like him. And also he doesn't carry the burden of his stardom on the sets or even otherwise. He treats everyone equally. While shooting, we would talk about anything and everything. He would always make sure that we are comfortable. One common thing between me and him would be our thinking patterns. They match very well.
Can you tell us about your first meeting with him?
He always says that he never avoids my dad's phone calls. I remember my father’s friends wanted to meet him, so we all went to his house. I must have been around 11 years old. I was spellbound while looking at him, and my dad still has that picture of me with him. And when I started shooting for Dear Zindagi, dad actually sent me that picture.
Shah Rukh is known as the King of Romance. But he has not played a romantic role opposite you in this one. Would you like to play such a role opposite him?
There was no scope for romance in this film. But, I also believe that no relationship exists without love. We don’t share a romantic relation with everyone, but still, there is love. Although, if given a chance, I would want to be cast opposite him, provided the story is appropriate. The story should make sense, with an older man and a younger girl. Because obviously, we can’t play people of the same age.
Your next release, Badrinath ki Dulhania, how is that shaping up?
It is a desi, heartland romance. It's like that flavour of desi ghee. I feel Varun (Dhawan) is doing great in the comedy space and is growing. We are proud of each other and the way we are growing are artists. Recently, we have completed a schedule in Singapore for the film. It was great fun.
Recently, your father commented that you are more talented than your sister Pooja Bhatt. What do you have to say?
Pooja Bhatt is a great artist, and an amazing producer and director. I will never be able to do that.
