Dear Zindagi has mixed reviews. Some find it introspective, some find it excruciatingly long and sermon giving. Some find it too relatable, some couldn't stay longer post interval. So if you're heading to the theater expecting some song and dance sequence, some upfront jokes, double meaning jokes, and other bollywood-esque stereotypes, then please change your mentality but do not miss the movie. Why, you ask? Let me list it all down for you:
Acting par excellence, by both Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt. SRK, who has taken a leap by the laid back role of a Dimag Ka Doctor complacent with his own ways and clientele, one to be precise. Barely saw any other client visiting the doctor. Alia proves that she's good at what she does. What if she doesn't know basic G.K. questions, but as far as her job is concerned, she has aced her role as a talented, career-centric, selfish, spurned, damsel in distress with such nonchalance that you can't help but feel her happiness, dismay, jealousy, confusion, etc. And isn't that the way we are, how often are we able to talk about our feelings with someone who isn't going to judge us or provide us with a solution.
The Alia Breakdown scene. If you don't feel a lump in your throat in that scene, you probably are stone hearted. The ease with which Kaira narrates the feeling of a 6 year old abandoned by her parents who are trying to figure life out for themselves. You can, at some point, relate to the complaints she has from her parents assuming that at some point or the other we all have been angry with our parents for one reason or the other. Whether it be the jealousy from the attention they gave to your younger sibling, enforced a career on you, had unrealistic expectations you had to live up to, the list is endless. If anything, it will at least sort out your undisclosed childhood issues. Dr. Khan (SRK) mentions with utmost ease "Ek baar, apne parents ko maa-baap ke unche ohde se thoda neeche, regular logon ki tarah dekho". You understand that humans make mistakes and its natural. So, forgiving becomes easy.
Subtle messages. Gauri Shinde has brought into light many strong messages with such subtlety that they don't seem like the heart of the movie but the message is very well conveyed. For instance, accommodation problems for single women in cosmopolitan cities, labeling women based on their partners and women being affected by such labels, acceptance of homosexuality in Bollywood, etc. So, these are just a few issues that are brought up oh-so-casually.
Ze Therapist. When your psychiatrist is as suave and gentlemanly as SRK, you can't help but spend most time at his clinic than anywhere else. He is natural, powerful and every single word uttered by him has a meaning to it. With limited screen time, he has made the difference.
Goa like never before. Serene beaches, affluent houses, no pollution, the Goa shown in the movie is so beautiful, you end up booking a vacation when in the middle of the movie itself to play Kabbadi with the waves. Just wondering where was this Goa in my recent vacation there?
You walk out with a smile on your face. With settled issues, emotions sorted, understanding life as it comes, as Kaira dances her way back to her place, so would you, with a million dollar smile on your face.
A feel good film. Stick through the first half, it gets better, I promise!!
