– BY REEMA CHHABDA
Story:
Shakun Batra’s Gehraiyaan, starring Deepika Padukone, Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Dhairya Karwa, is a modern-day love narrative in which it’s okay to fall out of love and find it elsewhere. Alisha (Deepika) and Karan (Dhairya) have been together for six years and are planning a get-together with her cousin Tia (Ananya) and her fiance Zain, who are visiting from Los Angeles. Alisha and Zain are instantaneously drawn to each other with a few words and lovely glances.
Tia is completely unaware of what is going on behind her back, as is Karan, who is trying to have his work published while also running a family with Alisha. In the midst of it all, some lies are exposed while others are kept hidden.
Direction and Writing:
Shakun’s story, which he co-wrote with Sumit Roy, Ayesha Devitre, and Yash Sahai, has a good heart but falls short in several places. You’re frequently left wondering why, how, and if that’s all there is to it. The characters in this film carry on with their lives without ever desiring to know what conspired behind the scenes. Despite its limitations, Gehraiyaan delves into the complexities of relationships and the lengths to which people will go to save or destroy them.
The film’s subtly dramatic canvas is greatly enhanced by the cinematography and sound. Scenes are constructed with many pauses and silences for us to understand and comprehend.
The length of the film and its lack of clarity stand out like a sore thumb here. The tale goes off the rails in the second half, leaving you wondering where it’s going. With a running time of 2 hours 28 minutes, it does become a little repetitive and tiresome.
Performances:
Deepika Padukone is unflappable in some of the most heartbreaking scenes. Siddhant Chaturvedi, too, holds his own in portraying a complex and conflicted character. This love story slowly unfolds like a thriller and lures you into its dark universe. The characters’ quiet is contrasted with the roaring of the waves. You’re afraid of the consequences the two might face, like a ticking time bomb.
Ananya Panday creates a likeable performance out of what is given to her. Except for a few scenes, Gehraiyaan doesn’t give her much of a chance to express herself. Dhairya Karwa, who appears amiable on television but is reduced to a man suffering from writer’s block, is in the same boat.
In their individual characters, Rajat Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah make an impression.
Music:
Gehraiyaan’s music is a breath of fresh air. If the seductive lyrics and groovy melody of ‘Doobey’ make you float in the air, the title track provides some food for contemplation for the messed up souls. ‘Bekaboo’ is a fun song to listen to.
Verdict:
Gehraiyaan is a mature relationship drama that appeals to a limited audience. Even with the film’s bravura performances and thrilling climax, it fails to touch your soul.
Gehraiyaan Review
