Not so Dear Zindagi.

With all the excitement built up, finally went for the much-awaited film Dear Zindagi yesterday. Was eagerly waiting for the film because it’s the second film from the English Vinglish director- Gauri Shinde.

Alia Bhatt is seen as Kaira aka Koko who is a cinematographer and doing well for herself, until her character’s layers are revealed step by step. From her breakups to her issues with couples to she being a single independent girl and being kicked out of the house by the landlord because of the very same reason to going back to her parents in Goa to she being jealous of her brother, Uff the list is endless. When you discover that ok that’s the problem in her life, there is a new problem thrown on our face. She has a group of friends, out of which two are her best friends- Fatema (Ira Dubey) and Jackie (Yashaswini Dayame). Angad Bedi plays the role of Sid (business tycoon), Kaira’s boyfriend no-1 then there is Kunal Kapoor as Raghu (director), boyfriend no-2 and Ali Zafar as Rumi (musician), boyfriend no-3.

Amidst her boyfriends and crazy relationships only and only because of Kaira , JUG aka Jehangir Khan played by none other than Shahrukh Khan comes to the rescue. Since everything was falling apart for me in this film, my only hope was that JUG will seep in some sanity in the film, but as always I was thrown aback. From his opening scene with cracking the lamest joke to random heavy morals about life to playing kabaddi with the sea on the beach to comparing the men with chairs or to sharing his personal issues. Nothing out of the all made any sense or stated humor to me.

Just like any other story, Kaira overcomes her problems and fears in life and manages to make a short film and win accolades from her family and friends. Wow, finally some achievement in life after so much of struggle and negativity.

Music and lyrics of the song fails to create any magic, even the background score is pretty ordinary. DOP, Laxman Utekar, has captured the Goa part pretty well although. Anaita Shroff Adajania has done costumes for Alia Bhatt; Aki Narula for Mr. SRK and Theia Tekhchandaney handles rest of the cast.

Kaira like any other urban girl has a mix of wardrobe, from regular t-shirts to denim and Military green shirts paired with skinny and boyfriend jeans. Light layering is pretty evitable. Ganjis and camis are layered with light cardigans and longer-shirts. In Mumbai part she was seen wearing more of sneakers and eventually in Goa shifts to leather thongs, which one can usually get from flea markets. Through her personality transition one can see her wardrobe getting more fluid and colorful with prints. Hippie vibes seeps in with maxis and skirts with beachy waves hair and tasseled leather bag. Accessories were pretty constant with a necklace and a few rings and arm candies. Obviously nothing new again in the wardrobe, has seen these looks on almost every other actress.

JUG was seen in his usual attire, which we see him wear usually. Regular jersey and linen rolled up shirts in greys, blacks and navies with linen pants. The pants surely gave a relaxed goan vibe but didn’t suit SRK at all. At certain times his hair was jet black and certain scenes there was hints of grey. I wish his hair were salt and pepper and look more relaxed almost like mature and sexy George Clooney. He wore more of leather thongs and chapppals and not slip on shoes.

Rest of the cast again living in urban areas and Goa had a very strong influence and was great. Fatema was more of Indie boho vibe girl with silver jewelry and Jackie a regular Tomboy girl with short hair.

Sid barely had two scenes and was seen in formal suits. Raghu’s look worked the best for me with those rugged shirts and jeans and manbun, he looked the cutest. Rumi’s look and character was pretty annoying, and what was with that moustache?

Aditya Roy Kapoor had a cameo in the film and looked decently attractive in black.

Just like Vikas Behl let us down post Queen with Shandaar, similarly one more director is part of the commercial clan after such an amazing offbeat film like English Vinglish, surely didn’t expect this from her. So guys this film is surely not a must watch. 

This Wednesday will share my vacay details with you all, till then Happy Sundays.

Love,

Cine Closet.