Director: Zoya Akhtar
Starring: Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Anil Kapoor
Not many actresses in India are as beloved as Priyanka Chopra. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Chopra has become a beloved actress with iconic movies. Whether it’s famous fashion figures, doomed lovers or criminals in danger, Chopra has played many iconic characters. Arguably, Chopra’s greatest strength as an actress has always been her powerful commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses that has never been afraid to take risks in her career by portraying complex characters. Through her abilities to create characters which are simple to relate to, Chopra has become an actress audiences value. Even when she is not the main focus of a movie, Chopra has always left a lasting impression. Throughout her strong career, Chopra has created many memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Chopra and adore all the movies which she has made in her career. However, “Dil Dhadakne Do” stands out as her most meaningful film. Released in 2015, Zoya Akhtar’s movie offered a compelling portrait of dysfunctional families. Packed with breathtaking music, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a breathtaking Bollywood family drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Priyanka Chopra, who embodies a woman torn apart from her family with trauma. 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 Priyanka Chopra.
“Dil Dhadakne Do” tells a story of a broken family which embarks upon a cruise journey. Priyanka Chopra embodies Ayesha Mehra, a woman trapped in a broken family in India. Ayesha has always had a conflicted bond with her parents that rarely support her life choices. However, Ayesha’s life drastically changes when his family goes on a cruise adventure. As she sees painful arguments with her family, Ayesha worries about her destiny. As all the odds are soon over time stacked against her favour, Ayesha is soon forced to question love for her family. Faced with a broken marriage facing a dilemma, Ayesha questions if it’s possible for her to truly 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.
Priyanka Chopra delivers one of her finest performances as Ayesha Mehra. Chopra earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in Bollywood movies. With “Dil Dhadakne Do”, however, the actress took upon her most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a woman which is trapped in a dysfunctional family but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most meaningful role. With mesmerizing expressions, she conveys the angst, bravery and frustrations faced by a woman facing a broken family experiencing tensions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most celebrated actresses that’s working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Chopra, the supporting cast is brilliant and worthy of appreciation. 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 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 Priyanka Chopra will absolutely enjoy “Dil Dhadakne Do” and so will audiences seeking bold entertainment. A breathtaking Bollywood family drama, it honours an actress that’s beloved 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 bold reminder of an actress that has built a legendary legacy through her ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies that audiences have always loved dearly.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 