Film: Dum Lagake Haisha
Director: Sharat Katariya
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Sheeba Chaddha
Year: 2015
We'are very late in reviewing this amazing movie. Produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Sharat Kataria starring Ayushman Khurrana and debutante Bhumi Pednekar.
Spoilers alert ahead. The story set in the 90s in the temple town of Haridwar. An average Joe, Prem with no qualification or talent with an overbearing father runs a cassette shop. He is a die-hard Kumar Sanu fan as he was quite a rage in the 90s. Prem is forced to marry an educated, but overweight Sandhya who aspires to be a teacher. His disinterest in marriage is palpable from the beginning and both sets of parents worry about the future of their relationship. Taking the advice of her mother, Sandhya tries to seduce Prem and couple consummates their marriage. At a function, Prem insults Sandhya in front of everybody, so she leaves him and goes to her parent's home. Being a headstrong woman she applies for divorce. But they are asked to live together for 6 months on court's order. Here again Prem is pressurized to participate in town's annual competition "Dum Lagake Haisha where husband has to carry the wife on shoulder in a race and to over come all the hurdles. Will they participate? Will they win? Will their marriage survive? Well you got to see the movie for that.
WeReflect: Ayushman Khurrana is natural as a clueless and helpless man. It is a delight to watch him emote. Sanjay Mishra as Prem's interfering father is endearing. All other characters make their presence worthwhile. But it is Bhumi Pednekar who steals the show and carries the movie on her shoulder. Her role as Sandhya is a woman of substance. She is educated and it is implied she is going to be financially independent too. That is the main reason for this alliance in the first place. She takes no-nonsense from her husband or in-laws. She knows how to take charge. Our favourite scene where she throws her brother's stuff out of her room, which was occupied by him when she moved out after marriage. She refused to believe her home is not her's anymore after marriage.
It is a breath of fresh air to come from Yash Raj films who for decades endorsed Swiss Alps, chiffon sarees, and drop-dead gorgeous heroines. It is a simple story which tackles many stereotypes effortlessly. Feminist in us is very happy to see an unconventional strong woman character on screen. It takes you back to 90's of cassettes, songs recording, VCP era. As a kid who grew in 90s we can relate to it very well. Make time for it.
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