Dum Laga ke Haisha Review: The sweet, crisp and dumdaar tale from the rural India, will surely win your heart. It is amazing how simple and subtle yet gripping a story can be. With no extended drama and glittering masalas, this elementary yet intriguing story just touches hearts. Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar are adorable as the couple who are mis-fits under certain societal norms, but are people who belong with each other.
The romantic comedy by Sharat Kataria is just what you need to make you see there is love in all shapes and sizes. The film’s essence is captured truly and Dum Laga Ke Haisa is a film that will break all stereotypes. The film draws its title from the competition that happens in the towns where the husband carries his wife on his back and races. And like they say in the film, “tu bahu ko leke bhaagego”, we can say about the film that too. “Dum Laga Ke Haisa bhaagego” at the Box-Office.
Imagine a man who didn’t complete his education, and was married off to an educated and well-read woman. All he wanted was a perfect wife, with good looks and great body type. All she wanted was to get married, have a job and a man who’ll respect her. Though they don’t get that from their married life initially, but love seeps in and makes their not-so-perfect-match, perfect!
In term of acting, both Bhumi and Ayushmann bring subtlety and authenticity on the platter. The film’s duration is apt and in that it beholds the viewer’s attention. In our vast country, such love stories are very common in day-to-day lives around us. But bringing that unadulterated tale on the big screen, seemed like a cinch for the makers.
Star Performances:
Ayushmann Khurrana wins hearts and is back with a bang. He has always been an actor banked upon his acting capabilities and the man surely doesn’t disappoint. He got under the skin of his character and pulled off the modest man brilliantly. His character is of Prem, a man who loves Kumar Sanu; finds life in those old 90s tracks on cassettes; is scared of English as a language and wants a wife of his dreams; but finds disappointment when he is married off to a girl heavier on the weight scale. Khurrana shines too bright in the film and pulls off the role like no man could have done. He smoothly flows on the screen and ultimately realizes that there is more to life and love doesn’t see anyone’s body-type.
Debutant, Bhumi Pednekar, has shattered all stereotypes and is the image of Indian Woman from that stratum of the society, who is scorned upon for their body-weight. She only wished for simple things in life and just wanted respect out of her husband. On the acting scale, Bhumi is heavyweight and extremely convincing. She has acted well beyond any doubt. Her sensibilities are genuine and her execution of the role is lasting.
Sanjay Mishra as Prem’s father is just so suitably done, that you’d forget once that he is acting. Other actors too are very certain and have done full justice to add more to the rustic feel of the film. Kumar Sanus cameo acts as an invisible catalyst in the film’s plot.
Technicalities:
Sharat Kataria has finally delivered a film which is a piece of normal life of Haridwar and Rishikesh, placed amazingly on the big screen. The tale is very genuine and has daily dramas and chores depicted masterfully. The man has helmed the tale in a very artful manner. The story flows beautifully and there would come a time, the viewers might forget that they are watching a film and not witnessing the drama that is a part of day-to-day life of some Indians. Even the dialogues of the film are too legitimate.
The film is shot so nice and the twin towns, Haridwar and Rishikesh are shown just the way they are. The rustic feel of the film will teleport you to the towns and, those who have been there would know about the genuine appeal it has.
Watch or Not:
If you are looking for earnest performances, which leave a smile on your face throughout the film, then you shouldn’t really miss out on Dum Laga Ke Haisha. It is a very simple film, with a magnetic appeal and will show you the real India.
If you love masala commercials and are a fan of tadkas and item songs and larger than life action sequences, you wouldn’t watch it. But it would be a different experience if you consider embracing a film no different than real life.
Thumbs Up: Screenplay, beautiful story, natural acting
Thumbs Down: No major flaws
Yawns: Not really
