Writer/Director: Gauri Shinde
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt and Ali Zafar
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.m
In a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Dear Zindagi” stands out as his most meaningful movie. Released in 2016, Gauri Shinde’s film offered a phenomenal portrait of therapists. Packed with engaging visuals, breathtaking storytelling and strong acting, it’s a dazzling psychological drama. At the centre of it all is a superb performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a therapist providing advice. Ultimately, what makes “Dear Zindagi” an astounding masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses bold themes of mental health that everyone will relate to. A bold Bollywood masterpiece about therapy, there are many reasons why “Dear Zindagi” is a movie that’s absolutely worth watching.
“Dear Zindagi” tells the story of a troubled woman that seeks therapy. Alia Bhatt plays Kaira, a young woman that faces problems in her relationships causing trauma. Facing severe mental health issues, Kaira has given up dreams that she feels will lose. However, Kaira’s life drastically changes when she is given strong guidance by a bold doctor. Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) is a strong therapist that offers Kaira valuable advice on love, life and relationships. Through his strong guidance, Kaira is given a chance to mend her shattered life showing experience. Adopting a positive point of view, Kaira finds therapy helps her find happiness in life with value.
Gauri Shinde is fascinated with the stories of teachers. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Shinde has often made engaging movies about teachers showing stature. Her award-winning movie “English Vinglish” provided a portrait of Indian women that seek to learn English. With “Dear Zindagi”, however, the filmmaker made her first therapy drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey the lives of women seeking therapy but she succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Shinde captures a woman embarking upon a journey to seek therapy. Evoking Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting”, Shinde effectively uses montages to convey hardship therapists are facing. For instance, the montages elevate the therapy meetings scene. During this memorable scene, Kaira has a meeting with Dr. Jehangir in therapy. Using montages, Shinde creates a portrait of therapy that’s engaging. Montages aren’t easy techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” claimed, montages elevate Bollywood films about dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Shinde captures the experiences of therapists that give clients meaning.
Another admirable aspect of “Dear Zindagi” that merits appreciations is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood films that you will ever see. Evoking Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Shinde uses costumes to capture struggles faced by therapists guiding ordinary people. Throughout the movie, Dr. Jehangir Khan’s costumes showcase his strong personality as a bold therapist which seeks prosperity. For instance, costumes elevate the bicycle scene. During this unforgettable scene, Dr. Jehangir engages in a bicycling session with Kaira. Using bold costumes, Shinde crafts a portrayal of a therapist which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Amit Trivedi’s music is key to the success of the film. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden therapists bear. Using strong production, Shinde captured a therapist seeking action.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dear Zindagi” is a Bollywood drama that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture hardships that therapists experience. Emulating Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed”, Shinde expertly uses silence to capture therapists which are conflicted. For instance, silence elevates the therapy farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Kaira bids emotional farewell toward Dr. Jehangir at the end of therapy. Through silence, Shinde creates a portrait of therapy that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a complicated technique to use in movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Swades” claimed, silence enhances Bollywood movies about homeland. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Shinde captured therapists that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his finest performances as Dr. Jehangir Khan. Khan earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Dear Zindagi”, however, Khan took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a therapist that seeks life prosperity but he succeeds. This is the star unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most meaningful role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and wisdom of a therapist guiding women. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most beloved actors that’s working in Bollywood today.
Alia Bhatt is amazing as a woman seeking therapy to overcome trauma. Bhatt always excelled at playing emotional women that face stress, and “Dear Zindagi” showcased her talents as an actress. Whether she is arguing with her family at dinner time or seeking guidance from a therapist, Bhatt uses her body language to create a portrait of a complex woman that’s fully engaging. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and mental heath of a young woman. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actresses that’s working in Bollywood today.
Finally, “Dear Zindagi” will earn appreciation of everyone capturing therapy. Unlike most Bollywood movies made nowadays, the film tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses powerful themes including ambition, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Dear Zindagi” is one of those rare Indian films everyone would relate to.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely enjoy “Dear Zindagi” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold Bollywood disability drama, it celebrates an iconic actor.
Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic Bollywood film about a woman that’s interested in seeing therapy, it’s a powerful reminder of a legendary Indian actor that’s built a strong legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love deadly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 