Director: Zoya Akhtar
Starring: Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Anil Kapoor
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies that he has created in his career. However, “Dil Dhadakne Do” stands out as his most underrated movie. Released in 2015, Zoya Akhtar’s film offered a powerful portrait of dysfunctional families. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s a breathtaking Bollywood family drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Aamir Khan, who embodies the dog of a dysfunctional family. Although “Dil Dhadakne Do” is a fantastic family film, it isn’t a flawless movie. It builds to an over-the-top conclusion without resolution. That being said, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of Aamir Khan.
“Dil Dhadakne Do” tells a story of a broken family which embarks upon a cruise journey. Aamir Khan portrays Pluto Mehra, the dog of a dysfunctional family in India. Pluto has always shared a powerful bond with owners he has always loved dearly. However, Pluto’s life drastically changes when his family goes on a cruise adventure. As he witnesses grim arguments between his family, Pluto worries of his destiny. As all the odds soon become stacked against his favour, Pluto questions his love for his owner. Faced with a serious dilemma, Pluto questions whether he could find happiness in India.
Zoya Akhtar is fascinated with the stories of dysfunctional families. A brilliant Bollywood female filmmaker, Akhtar has often created movies about families facing disaster. With “Dil Dhadakne Do”, however, Akhtar created her first family drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the hardships faced by dysfunctional families but she succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Akhtar captures a dysfunctional family on a journey to find its identity. Emulating Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Akhtar expertly uses montages to capture struggles faced by a family of ordinary people. For instance, montages elevate the cruise journey scene. During this unforgettable scene, Pluto and his Indian family embark on a cruise journey. Using stunning montages, Akhtar creates a portrayal of dysfunctional families which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested, montages enhance movies about friendships. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using captivating visuals, Akhtar captures tensions that dysfunctional families are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Dil Dhadakne Do” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever watch. Evoking James Cameron’s “Titanic”, Akhtar has the production of a ship to capture the life of a family facing hardship. For instance, the production design of the ship enhances the Gallan Goodiyan song. During this joyful scene, the Mehra family engages in a party on their cruise journey. Using gorgeous sets, Akhtar creates a portrait of broken families that’s engaging. Moreover, the music score is magnificent. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that broken families bear. Using bold production, Akhtar captures dysfunctional families that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dil Dhadakne Do” is a Bollywood film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses narration to capture hardship broken families experience. Emulating Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty”, Akhtar expertly uses voice over narration to capture tension that broken families experience. Throughout the movie, the dog Pluto expresses his views on a family through narration. For instance, voice-over narration enhances the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Pluto expresses his views on his family through a use of clever voice-over narration. Narration is a tricky technique. As Rajkumar Hirani’s “3 Idiots” proved, narration elevates classic Bollywood movies about college. That being said, it works immensely. Using an engaging screenplay, Akhtar captures broken families facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Pluto. Khan first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Dil Dhadakne Do”, however, he took on his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a dog that seeks to care for a dysfunctional family but he pulls it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, strong and emotional in his most unusual role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and strong worldviews of a dog caring for broken families. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Anil Kapoor is astonishing, capturing intense hardships faced by a father struggling to care for a broken family. Ranveer Singh is remarkable, bringing authority to a young man that seeks to mend broken bonds with his family. Lastly, Anushka Sharma merits appreciation. As a business woman, she is unforgettable.
Although “Dil Dhadakne Do” is undeniably a riveting family drama, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s an over-the-top conclusion that lacks a satisfying resolution. At worst, it suggests dysfunctional families in India can easily overcome life’s tensions. Therefore, “Dil Dhadakne Do” can’t quite capture families in India which audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Aamir Khan would absolutely love “Dil Dhadakne Do” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A fantastic Bollywood family drama, it honours a legendary actor in India.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a dysfunctional family embarking on a cruise journey, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a legendary legacy through his ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies that audiences have always loved dearly.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 