Dum Laga Ke Haisha: A big-hearted film

Dum Laga Ke Haisha is a small film that evolves laboriously to end on a strong feel-good mode, Deepa Gauri writes

By Deepa Gauri

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Published: Sat 25 Apr 2015, 9:34 PM

Last updated: Thu 25 Jun 2015, 10:19 PM

All you have read about Bhumi Pednekar shining through her role as Sandhya, slightly rotund and hugely self-respecting, in Dum Laga Ke Haisha is correct. As a fresher and coming with no expectations in a tailor-made role, she indeed is good.

More rebellious than mute, more self-assertive than docile, Sandhya is the type of character that Indian cinema needs more of.

But the true force that pulls the movie through, because of its sometimes forced smart-aleck-ness, is Ayushmann Khurrana and a small group of seasoned actors who lend support in significant supporting roles.

Dum Laga Ke Haisha, arguably, offers one of Khurrana’s best performances to date. As the meek, on-the-brink-of-failure 25-year-old, he is outstanding.

Giving him tremendous support are Sanjay Mishra, Alka Amin, Sheeba Chaddha and Seema Pahwa, among others, who simply transform into household members - whining, fighting, belittling, loving, caring and being how people in ordinary situations really are.

Bringing the best out of them and ensuring their believability is a real triumph of the film’s director Sharat Katariya. And that alone makes Dum Laga Ke Haisha worth a watch.

A small film that takes its sweet time to make a point, Dum Laga Ke Haisha becomes a winner largely because of the feel-good note in which it ends. Add to it the subtle humour that saves the film from stooping into melodrama, fantastic background score by Andrea Guerra, and you have a film that isn’t Bollywood-ish at all.

Set in Haridwar in 1995, Dum Laga Ke Haisha sticks to its milieu, and that is its beauty. So we are transported to the era of Kumar Sanu songs and audio cassettes, in which is buried the life of Prem Prakash (Ayushmann).

Prem is forced to marry Sandhya, who is a bit too obese for his taste, and the fissures in their relationship surface from day one. As viewers, you are given a good explanation post-interval, of how youth are pushed into marriage not knowing what awaits them.

But soon after setting the scene, the film goes for a mighty unbelievable toss, as Sandhya is seen desperately trying to win over Prem, well, in bed.

While a condom is thrust into Prem’s hands by his father on his first night, it is a bit of a stretch to watch his wife trying to coax him with an ‘English’ film on VCR. Really? In that joint family?

Other than Sandhya being slightly obese, there is little reason for Prem to dislike her but for his own inferiority complex for being a school dropout, and the film meanders before the divorce-card is dangled.

But post-intermission, the film really gets going. In throwing at us two big thoughts – on the need to accept one’s failures and reality, and to face one’s worst fears – Dum Laga Ke Haisha gets that ‘feel-good movie formula’ spot on.

From an underdog who has nothing to lose to acceptance and triumph, the film finally leaves you with a warm heart and a great feeling.

Performance-driven, Dum Laga Ke Haisha wins you over with its simplicity. It does not make for outstanding cinema but in the torrent of mediocrity, it definitely serves as a clean relief that also restores a bit of faith in oneself.

In all its philosophical undertones, Dum Laga Ke Haisha reminds you that it is ok to lose and what matters is to just be oneself – rotund, obese or illiterate.