Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) User Reviews

Cleverly Written

[pawanpunjabithewriter · 8/10 · 4 November 2021]

Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar make a stunning team together. Reema is a genuis; Zoya added her brilliance. This is a highly messed up story of an even more messed up family. It all happens on a cruise, where they bring everyone's life to the table without roaming into the past and get things even more messed up to create gigantic conflicts.

This is a story about family issues. One of Zoya's favorite genres including adventure; travel and trips to be honest.

I have known Zoya well, the films she chooses, her usual casts. There is hardly any movie where she has disappointed. If there is any, pardon me, I haven't watched.

The casting was amazing here. Ranveer, Farhan, Priyanka, Massey, they were exceptional. Anil, always, is. It was magnificent to see, how they brought everyone's life, little things, issues, social issues, to the table to make things completely messed up on a cruise trip. I am repeating messed up these many times since this is the second most messed up Hindi language movie I have watched in my whole life, first one, Welcome, being my all time favorite.

It was very slow burn. Few things weren't even required although the first fifteen minutes was just the introduction where they revealed only important things. Cunningly, they kept creating conflicts from then only to solve all at once at the climax.

This was really a tough story to write and direct, a job well done I must say.

Few more things, it was a brave and very good decision by Zoya not to cast her favorite actress in this movie. Two, I loved Galla Goodiyan song and the choreography along with the song's timing.

The song with Ranveer and Anushka was completely futile.

Must watch with entire family!

[pranalichoudhari · 8/10 · 14 October 2015]

Initially, I was hesitant to watch this movie as this movie did not do that well commercially(compared to other Zoya Akhtar movies). However,I must say I was very impressed with the way the movie was put together and executed.

DDD is a must watch for everybody regardless of what social status or financial category a person belongs to. Agreed, the drama takes place in a 'rich' people setting. But the family problems depicted in the movie are common across all classes in the country. So although it feels like they are rich people problems, they are actually not.

The performance of all the actors is superb especially Anil Kapoor and Shefali. The portrayal of Anil Kapoor as a shrewd, stubborn businessman is very genuine and so is Shefali's struggle to cope with unhappiness in marriage and maintaining social status. It is refreshing to watch Ranveer Singh doing something different than playing the usual macho/rowdy roles. Priyanka Chopra and Anushka Sharma are good as usual.

Overall the film is extremely pleasant to watch with no unwanted melodrama or item songs. It is a very sensible approach to depicting problems within a family that are often not spoken about but need to be discussed.And I must say Zoya handled it pretty well!

Fresh-witty-classy-awesome watch

[ravi-unadkat · 8/10 · 16 June 2015]

Loved the movie. Thank god I did not see the movie with high expectations and did not watch it in 1st week of it's release. If I had then I would have gone with ZNMD sort of expectations and would have felt otherwise, I got mixed reviews from friends and different web forums so went with low or no expectations and I was like wow, I did something good for me to watch this piece.

Enter the world of rich families with familiar problems of all classes. misfit couples, spoiled brats, ego classes, not speaking of problem until it's killing point, return of Exs, gossips, love & trust between sibling & friends, smart plans, foul plans, loud celebrations, ruling parents and most importantly follow your heart situations. I hope I did not miss anything.

This movie had everything I was looking for, 170 minutes it was long and I have habit to watch how much time is left to complete any movie, I did the same this time too, but wanted to see this movie even more, it was that sort of magic created on screen.

Acting wise everyone topped each other. I did not like Ranveer, but boy he managed to earned lot many more fans from this movie alone. PC looked gorgeous and acted fabulously. Anil Kapoor and his wife Shefali gave run for money to all young leads. Wanted to see more of Farhan and Anushka somehow they were underused. Rahul Bose did well as expected but more was needed from him to have a deep impact of how was he with his wife. Rest all actors filled the gaps so well.

Music could have been better, this is first time I felt the movie had less songs than it was required, two of the songs I liked and will be there on my playlist.

Loved the ending, and it has potential to have part 2, as what happened with all leads plus all side characters as you have invested in them as their built up was quite nice.

Movie had number of funny moments, so you catch your breath and then again lose it in quite a few situations. So movie keeps you engaged in those 170 minutes of run and entertains very well.

Zoya - I am your fan now, you did wonderful ZNMD and again you had your unique way of handling family drama, hats off to you lady. Awaiting for more from you. Please do not take another 4-5 years to come in :)

Underrated Film That Is Well Worth Watching

[GypsiB · 9/10 · 5 October 2018]

Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra) and Kabir (Ranveer Singh) join friends and family on a cruise to celebrate the 30th wedding anniversary of their parents Kamal (Anil Kapoor ) and Neelam (Shefali Shah). Kamal is overbearing, and both parents are strictly traditional, as well as worrying about what others think of their family. In addition, their marriage is less than successful. During the voyage, the siblings both go against their parents wishes in matters of love, creating more discord in their family.

This is not a lighthearted movie, though it does contain some humor and romance. It is, instead, a serious drama about family dynamics, expectations, and acceptance. The plot is rich and well-written. The music and choreography are average. Kapoor gives a stellar performance as the tightly-strung, controlling father. I had previously only seen Chopra in the rom-com setting, and was pleasantly surprised by her ability to play a deeper role. Both Singh and Shah are also convincing in their roles. Rahul Bose plays Ayesha's husband, and does a fine job with varying emotions. The movie also stars Anushka Sharma and Farhan Akhtar, and both give credible performances. I was impressed by this underrated film and found it to be just about perfect. This is one I certainly recommend.

Cast also includes Aamir Khan, Zarina Wahab, Vikrant Massey and Ridhima Sud, among others.

A movie good in parts !!

[akshay-ak-kumar · 7/10 · 28 June 2015]

Zoya Akhtar is an unusual film maker. In all her three films, she tells stories of the urban rich Indians. People who have all the money but have something missing in their lives which makes them incomplete.

She is not interested in telling the stories of the poor or middle class which is great because every second Indian film maker is telling us a story from there. And she is no Karan Johar who also makes films about the rich but in an Ekta Kapoor style, over the top melodramatic.

DDD is the story of the Mehras. From the outside, a very successful and happy family. But through the eyes of their dog, Pluto, its one huge dysfucntional family. Their business is running huge losses. Mr & Mrs Mehra don't get along because of Mr. Mehra affairs away from home. Their daughter, Ayesha is unhappy with her marriage and their son, Kabir is a pilot and not interested in the family business.

Mehra's 30th wedding anniversary is suppose to a happy reunion of friends and family but slowly turns into a disaster as the family falls apart when the cracks begin to appear on surface.

DDD is one of the best films in recent times I've seen which talks about the Indian family system and beautiful highlights the flaws as we are now in the 21st century. Men are suppose to work and women are suppose to take care of home and give birth to babies.

As my summary says the movies is good in parts because Zoya, Reema and Farhan create some very interesting & thought provoking premises in the film such as Ayesha's fight with herself and then with her family, Ayesha and Kabir's bounding, on women empowerment and selfishness of parents. Women will love this film because there's a lot spoken about the role of women today.

Somehow while connecting the dots, the three somehow fail to make a complete good film. The film slows down at times and then there is Pluto's commentary which starts to irritate because its spoils some good moments. Javed Akhtar is great writer and I loved his poems in the ZMD. But here is comes down as plain preaching at times.

And then the climax. Its hilarious but also stupid. Yes, we all love a happy ending but climax goes a bit over the top.

However, the music is nice, not many songs and some beautiful camera work by Carlos Catalan. However, the main strong point of the film is the performances.

The cast sink their teeth beautifully because the characters are so well written. Never such wonderful characters of screen.

Anil Kapoor as Sr. Mehra is at his best. Once a successful business man now in trouble, a scheming businessman, a man who shameless flirts in front of his wife and a man who fails to see that his heir is his daughter and not is son, Kapoor is superb and gives one fine performance after a very long time.

On the other hand, Ranveer Singh who plays Kabir put another wonderful performance. His comic timing is superb and is unapologetic about his family. He is a man who knows is limits and openly admits that his sister Ayesha is a heir to their father's empire and not him. Check out the scene in the clinic. He'll leave u in shock and splits as he confronts his parents.

Shefali Shah nicely plays the suffering wife and mother of two who cannot find her own identity and in somewhere a failure.

However its Priyanka who stands out. She lives and breathes Ayesha. A successful entrepreneur, somewhere neglected by her parents and cannot meet the expectations of her husband and in laws. She finds comfort in her younger brother and decides to speak when the time arrives to save herself. Hats off.

Farhan and Anushka in their small roles drives important points on how society needs to change with the times.

The rest of the cast is excellent. Rahul Bose as Ayesha's husband is the perfect chauvinist and he is unapologetic about it. His mother played Zarina Wahab hams it beautifully. Wish Zarina does such roles because she did this so well. And the rest, put the dose of the Punjabi culture in every scene.

Its not a bad film but could have been a great film.

Make sure you go with your whole family to watch this movie

[shashank-11594 · 9/10 · 13 June 2015]

I don't know why the movie is so under rated. Movie surely deserves at least 8 stars.

I read the reviews and rating on IMDb before watching the movie and thought that it was waste of time. But I went to see it with my family and I am glad that I went...

This movie revolves around an upper class Delhi based Punjabi family. The movie is light and very entertaining and the movie script contains no cheap stunts like emotional sympathy(showing a little girl who has cancer or has lost his parents)or cheap non-veg stunts. While I was in the movie theater all I could hear is the people laughing and enjoying their every moment from the start to the very end....

Those who loved Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara will really love and enjoy it.

The message from this movie is also very nice which is "Zindagi jeene ke liye hai....zabardasti kheechne ke liye nahi".

So just give it a try and do take your parents with you. Enjoy!!

Zoya Akhtar's Liberation of Life Manifesto Is Here; Break The Shackles With Dil Dhadakne Do!

[mohulghosh · 7/10 · 7 June 2015]

Zoya Akhtar wants to change this World; she wants to make a dent in the Universe, and her way of doing so is changing the world view. If Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was the bromance and bon homie between close friends, then Dil Dhadakne Do is the guide using which you can liberate one's life and break the shackles which are limiting you.

Yes, everyone is saying correct: the movie could have been shorter, with some strong editing. But the canvas of this story was so huge, that 2 hours wouldn't have done justice to the whole melo-drama.

Such was the intense characterization that the audience finds itself clapping when a stubborn father decided to protect his only daughter from a failed marriage; or when a son speaks up against his mother, and makes her realize her life's greatest mistake.

DDD is a direct assault on hypocrisy, fake emotions and dogmatic life (living on someone else's expectation); which our Indian society shamelessly tries to impose.

Screenplay was absolutely flawless, script loose at some points but the impeccable acting by everyone makes it a treat to watch.

Ranveer Singh was the show stopper of this movie, with his spontaneous acting and brilliant emotions. Anil Kapoor was the pillar on which the movie is based, and Priyanka Chopra is the dark horse. She scores above Anushka, only because her role was stronger, and she grabbed more screen time. Along with Anushka, Shefali and Rahul Bose strongly support this melo-drama.

Farhan Akhtar's role was strangely reduced, when he could have been another major pillar. Maybe Zoya didn't want to show partiality! Javed Akhtar's dialogues, wonderfully recited by Aamir Khan, were strong, massively emotional and touches the heart directly.

Humor is something which the move showcases at every point of time; with every major scene. The cruise journey, and some outdoor locations, especially Istanbul and Greece were shot magnificently.

Although, collectively, there is hardly any fault with the movie, but individually, there are some minor distractions which could have been avoided. Public had this hangover of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and wanted more of Farhan. But both of these expectations will reduce your joy of watching this movie.

Zoya, we will together change this world. Soon.

A beautiful masterpiece.

[rishabhkadam · 10/10 · 5 June 2018]

The people who are saying this movie is not good clearly don't know anything about films.Dil Dhhadakne do is one of my favourite films.It is inspiring,beautiful,funny and just a full package.The film has a soul and is just a masterpiece from the director Zoya Akhtar.

Dil Dhadakne Do: Character-driven Brilliance minus the Cheese and Corn

[dangertoon · 7/10 · 5 June 2015]

**This review may contain spoilers**

Zoya Akhtar had a kind of a decent start with her debut Luck By Chance some years ago. From then on, she has come quite a long way with her last outing Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara which arguably was the spiritual successor to her brother's debut Dil Chahta Hai. With Dil Dhadakne Do, Zoya has made more than a statement as a filmmaker. She has quite simply announced her arrival as one of the best in the industry today.

Dil Dhadakne Do delves into the lives of a business tycoon, the Mehra family, consisting of Kamal Mehra (Anil Kapoor) and Neelam Mehra (Shefali Shetty), parents to Ayesha Mehra (Priyanka Chopra) and Kabir Mehra (Ranveer Singh), as they celebrate the 30th wedding anniversary of the Kamal and Neelam Mehra, which they plan to give shape in the form of a Mediterranean cruise while also inviting friends and family. Trouble starts when the brother and sister try to deal with their romantic lives while taking the pressures of their parents into consideration (or not).

The cruise also holds an opportunity for Kamal Mehra to save a sinking ship, his business, by finding a buyer for 49% of his company's stake in the form of a wedlock between his son and Lalit Sood's (Parmeet Sethi) daughter Nuri (Ridhima Sud). Then there also is also his daughter, Ayesha who is looking to walk out of her marriage with her husband Manav Sangha (Rahul Bose). Things get slightly more complicated for the Mehras with the entrance of two more characters: Farah Ali (Anuskha Sharma), an dancer performing on the ship, and Sunny Gill (Farhan Akhtar), a journalist and Ayesha's estranged lover.

Without doubt Dil Dhadakne Do is essentially a character-based film in its soul. There is relatively little in terms of the story but what takes the cake is Zoya Akhtar's treatment to it. And there are quite a few of them characters, alright. This brings us to the performances of the actors who played them:

It's refreshing to watch Anil Kapoor in this all greyed-out avatar of his in Dil Dhadakne Do. He stands out with his performance as the father who feels the need to stamp his authority on his children even though they are adults. Then again he has played the neglectful husband to his on-screen wife with his usual brilliance. He has literally played a character which has shades of grey (pun intended) to it. There is also a certain growth to his character as the film progresses which takes its full form toward the climax. Superb.

This is Ranveer Singh's best work till date. Starting out as the confused son to a rich dad to an almost lovelorn guy in the second half of the movie, he has outgrown himself as an actor.

Priyanka Chopra has definitely been much better in Dil Dhadakne Do than some of her previous, more loud performances.

Shefali Shetty is simply amazing to watch. She plays the rich housewife to the T. the chemistry between Anil Kapoor and her deserves a special mention for sure.

Anuskha Sharma, Rahul Bose and Farhan Akhtar provide great support throughout the length of the film. They have well-written characters which definitely can be seen through their performances in this otherwise crowded ship of characters.

The song Gallan Goodiyaan deserves a special mention for being an amazingly shot one-take song. There have been quite a few of such sequences in the past but this one is really great to watch since it involves so many actors performing and dancing without breaking their characters.

Dil Dhadakne Do is certainly not immune to some plot holes and continuity errors. The film most certainly needed a better ending. In fact, the last fifteen minutes do grave injustice to the rest of the film. There are some loose ends that have been just left with no explanation from the protagonist which has been played by the dog of the family named Pluto, and voiced by Aamir Khan.

That said, the good in Dil Dhadakne Do certainly outdo the bad. Zoya Akhtar needs to take a bow for Dil Dhadakne Do. She has created a niche for herself. A slot that will be very hard for anybody fill.

There might just be a feeling that Zoya Akhtar's films have particularly "rich" people in the lead characters which is definitely true. But what makes her successful as a filmmaker is the fact that she is able to create characters that are so very relatable to every Indian family.

Strictly speaking from the heart, Dil Dhadakne Do might just be the film of the year. There might be the Khans lining up their releases later in the year and which also might do much better commercially than this one. But this is a film that has its head firmly on its shoulders.

Below average, monotonous and flawed

[psbanerjee · 5 June 2015]

The good things:

• Visuals of Mediterranean cities, cruise, sea etc - Some good performances by Anil Kapoor, Shefali, Anushka and Priyanka

What didn't work:

• Story: When you make a film about the riches, the only to way to make it resonate with the not-so-riches is by showing primal, human limitations or challenges or problems. Not by highlighting the problems which are a function of them being rich at the first place - threat to status in the society, priority to money making over family etc. We have enough of our own problems to deal with, thank you!

• Lackluster screenplay: Narrating a film like this from a dog's point of view makes it look silly from the word go. Pushing in a song in the second half when you should be having the audience gripped in attention. Less than convincing character arcs.

• Too many characters: Adding more characters just for the sake of it does not compensate for a lame script. It just puts pressure on the audience to keep a track of who's who and how they even relate to the main story.

All in all, it looks and feels like a film made by the riches for the riches, with no clue about the real problems of the world. If you have money to throw, go with family. If you have just got a bonus, go as a couple. If you are not so well off, wait for it to hit the TV screen, and watch alone, with headphones on.

Boring Characters Doing Boring Things in a Boring Movie

[the_horned_owl · 3/10 · 5 June 2015]

What has happened to Bollywood. It used to be better than this. Every day I wake up with this hope that one day Bollywood would become what it used to be but I am not sure of it anymore, and I don't think that would happen in the near future. We hardly get 4-5 good movies in a year.

I am a fan of Zoya Akhtar. I loved ZNMD and was eagerly waiting for this film as she is one of the few directors in India who can make good films. First Anurag Kashyap and now Zoya Akhtar has disappointed me.

This is a crappy film. It does not know what to do with itself. There are way to many unnecessary characters and subplots. The music is awful and the lyrics are out of the world. The songs do not fit the storyline well. I won't waste my time by writing a detailed review. Stay away from this film.

Impactfull and hilarious DDD is my cup of tea, will taste it again obviously!

[maulin5 · 9/10 · 5 June 2015]

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is surely one of the most favorites of many people, especially youngsters. This film, directed by Zoya Akhtar, is also a delight watch and gives same feeling as we got in ZNMD. Though, this film may not take you to the top of the world as ZNMD did, but, you can not miss this wonderful film on family issues. Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have panned the story. Some people may find it little bit slow. But, I don't think it's slow. This type of storyline is required a steady flow, which DDD has for sure. Live your life, do what you want to do, don't give so much attention to other person's advice, just be with your family, support them in their respective steps and let the heart beat - The simple and sweet storyline of DDD with some romance, some melodrama, some serious issues of married couple, some strategy of business and some really understandable things of life in very simple words through a dog narrator. Anil Kapoor is terrific. His expressions are totally hilarious. Shefali Shah looks like a rich woman, delivers a superb performance. Priyanka Chopra is as usual sweet and funny. I don't like her hairstyle, but, dresses are cool. I don't know why I hate Anushka Sharma, in this film also, she is no where according to me. One can never forget Farhan Akhtar's small but effective role. His entry made his fans to shout in the theater. Two character which are so important in this movie, have been done brilliantly by Ranveer Singh as Mehra's son and his dog Pluto. These two characters are the heart of this movie. Without them DDD is nothing to me. I loved Ranveer Singh, he steals the show this time. And Pluto and his dialogues are off to mark, written by Javed Akhtar and dubbed by Aamir Khan. These dialogues can make anybody to watch this movie again and again. Other dialogues have been written by Farhan Akhtar. They are fabulous as always. Cinematography is superb. Every outdoor scenes, as well as the scenes which were shoot in the cruise, are just awesome. Music as well as background score is given by the trio- Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. Gallan Goodiyaan is my the most favorite song. Choreography of that song is so crispy and engaging that your eyes can't decide where to watch or where to not. Pehli Baar is a masti song. Swing is also enjoyable. Background score is good. No doubt in direction. This type of products is my cup of tea. I was born to enjoy this type of cinema. So, I'm enjoying a lot. And will definitely go for the second time. One of the top 3 movies of 2015 as per my opinion. Go and enjoy with your entire family.

A Potpourri of Vestiges Review: Dil Dhadakne Do (2015): Zoya Akhtar's insipid family drama about a Delhi-based upper class Punjabi business family

[murtaza_mma · 6/10 · 5 June 2015]

Dil Dhadakne Do is a 2015 Indian family drama film directed by Zoya Akhtar and co-produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. Co- written by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, Dil Dhadakne Do features a star-studded ensemble cast led by Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Rahul Bose, Shefali Shah, and Farhan Akhtar. The movie revolves around an upper class Punjabi family on a cruise trip. The father, Kamal Mehra (Anil Kapoor), is a self-made businessman who is married to Neelam (Shefali Shah), a housewife, and the couple has two children, Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra) who is married to Manav (Rahul Bose) and Kabir (Ranveer Singh) who is a bachelor. The cruise is planned by Ayesha and Kabir to celebrate their parents' 30th marriage anniversary. However, Kamal Mehra is facing bankruptcy, and, being a shrewd businessman, he sees the cruise as an opportunity to revive credibility by selling off 49 percent of his company's stake to a powerful adversary, by hook or by crook. Soon things begin to take an ugly shape as Kamal's ambitions once again come in the way of his children's happiness.

Dil Dhadakne Do is essentially about rich people, their extravagant lives, scandalous affairs, and the problems that surround them. Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar must have had the Indian diaspora in their minds while devising the movie's script. Since independence, the Hindi cinema had been instrumental role in highlighting the issues of national importance; time and again, it played a pivotal role in eliciting a strong feeling of patriotism that kept the nation together in the times of need: be it war or natural calamities. But, it all began to change around the 1990s as the Nehruvian socialism made way for liberalization, globalization, and privatization. As the Indian economy slowly opened up, the Hindi cinema began to experience an Anglicization of sorts with the growing influence of the Indian diaspora which is best demonstrated by films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Pardes, Namastey London, etc. Bollywood started catering more and more to the English speaking Indians as oppose to the whole of India as used to be the case earlier. While some recent films have shown a change in this trend, many major production houses are still sticking to the time- tested formula of making films that cater to the Anglophonic tastes of the ever expanding urban middle-class. It can be said with absolute certainty that Dil Dhadakne Do is targeted towards the very class of audience.

Dil Dhadakne Do brings to the fore the issue of marital incompatibility between partners. It's a topic that's seldom been touched upon in Hindi films. Even the modern Indian families haven't yet fully come to terms with the important issue of gender equality. Yes, the women certainly have greater liberty but they still don't enjoy the equality that's associated with the fairer sex in the western societies. For all important matters (like marriage, family planning, work, etc.) the females must seek permission from their fathers/husbands. And then there's this childish fascination for a male heir to take forward the family legacy. Why can't a daughter assume the mantle, if she has both the interest and the qualification? It is questions like these that lie at the heart of Dil Dhadakne Do. The movie also poses some important questions about life: Why we humans despite being gifted with the power of speech fail to propagate our innermost thoughts to the ones we love? Why we spent most of our time doing things that have little relevance to life? Why we allow our ego to come in the way of our love? Why we complicate the lives of ones we love and care about instead of showing them the right path? Most of these questions appear in form of voiceovers, brilliantly delivered by none other than Aamir Khan whose narration is certainly the movie's USP.

‪Overall, Dil Dhadakne Do‬ comes across as a breath of fresh air with a rainbow of touching performances. But, the movie could have been much more than a clichéd melodramatic family affair had the makers given greater importance to storytelling than merely trying to accommodate a stellar ensemble cast in the screenplay. Dil Dhadakne Do can be watched for the performances and the scenic locations (although the movie proves to quite underwhelming even in this department, especially when compared to Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara). This critic, for one, certainly expects more in the creative department from the able duo of Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti. Is in asking for too much? Speaking of performances, the sizzling romance between Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma proves to be a major highlight (it's their first outing after a long hiatus following their break up and it has certainly been worth the wait). Also, it's good to see Priyanka Chopra being her a-game to the table. While Farhan Akhtar puts up a rather sedate show during his special appearance, Rahul Bose is solid as ever in the role of a chauvinistic husband. One particular scene between Bose and Chopra wherein the husband-wife duo plays Tennis is both funny and intense— the sequence brilliantly sums up their rather lopsided relationship. Amidst a series of solid performances, it's Shefali Shah's performance of a troubled housewife that stands first among equals. Dil Dhadakne Do certainly lacks a universal appeal, and while it will best be appreciated by the Anglophone urban audience, anyway who is not particularly uninterested in rich people's problems can afford to give it a try.

(This review was first published at A Potpourri of Vestiges)

This heart pumps blood (mechanical function) most of the time rather than emotions

[dineshprakash · 3/10 · 5 June 2015]

Look of film is rich as their characters but they behave like a typical middle class family. I could have accepted it with few ones but every one!!!! Then what was the need to show them upper class!? Cruise thing was just stuffed to add some grandeur in film and it adds but nothing to add any entertainment or any good use of it in film plot except in boring way in climax. Writer and director had taken audiences for granted as if they belong to the family, whose story is being told. Lots of character confuse audience to understand the movie. There are very few emotional scenes and that too are mixed with some quirky humour so nothing comes to audience very clearly. There are few good emotional scenes, precisely shot actually, Neelam Mehara eating cake while crying, Anil Kapoor grabs Rahul Bose neck. Love track doesn't have any scene to mention. Its narrative style from the dog perspective doesn't appeal. Film bores and length makes it more boring. Performance wise Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah as Neelam Mehra are very good. Rest are just OK. Music also bores as the lyrics.

Dil Dhadakne Do is charming fluff

[loveanni08 · 8/10 · 5 June 2015]

Preserving wealth is a lot of hard work. When a man has labored life long to project enviable luxury, it's essential that he appears to relish it with his family and flaunt it among his friends. Footing in a large bill every single day for a group he requested to come along on a scenic Mediterranean cruise to celebrate his 30th

wedding anniversary, Kamal Mehra (Anil Kapoor) feels the pinch of keeping appearances.

A self-made billionaire, he's still in touch with his middle-class values when it comes to matters of the money. Everything else is as superficial as it gets -- be it his jaded marriage to ace cupcake- chomper Neelam (Shefali Shah), his tediously old- fashioned expectations from kids Ayesha and Kabir (Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh) or his relationship of convenience around his equally catty tycoon friends.

Zoya Akhtar's breezy outlook and aversion for melodrama are something I've constantly appreciated in all her previous films.

Her latest Dil Dhadakne Do retains this virtue whilst exploring the woes of well-heeled lifestyles without turning them into caricatures of a dysfunctional family.

Farhan Akhtar's pat dialogs contribute significantly -- they're the best takeaway from this cruise confection. As is the spot-on timing they're delivered in.

In one fine scene, Ayesha is discussing incompatibility issues in her marriage with her mother. The latter brushes it off arguing how her husband (Rahul Bose) provides her with everything she needs. And there you have it -- "Aisa tha toh phir meri mall se shaadi kar dete (If that was the case, you should have married me to a mall ?"

In another, a hysterical Kabir goes on a spontaneous spree of puke-themed jokes ranging from 'Vomatino' to 'Louis Vomiton.'

One cannot say the same about the voice-over provided by Aamir Khan for Pluto Mehra, the darling mastiff pet of the Mehras. His sagacious captioning of scenes (in Javed Akhtar's words) robs Dil Dhadakne Do of much of its delicacy and caters to Bollywood's annoying tendency to 'see, what just happened there?'

For a script that's bold enough to sail without a plot, simply as a whimsical slice of freewheeling vacation and untapped impulses, Dil Dhadakne Do is surprisingly stale in fleshing the circumstances of its protagonists.

Bickering parents, daughter trapped in a loveless marriage, son whose heart is not in running the family business, progressive ex-flame around the corner, free-spirited Londoner facilitating a long- due coming-of-age, competitive uncles and their matchmaking-obsessed wives -- all these are lamentably one-note or familiar facets from her past work.

It's an eclectic group of impressive actors led by Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Shefali Shah, making sure they own their respective parts.

Right from the moment Kapoor delivers his first punch line clad in a pair of spiffy golf pants to the final scene seizing his vivacious, winsome grin, he crackles the screen with his portrayal of a deliciously calculating Punjabi patriarch.

Alternately refined, bumbling, rascally and vulnerable, Kapoor is the life of Zoya's opulent multistarrer. Though unfairly neglected to highpoint her live-wire co-star, Shefali bites into the part of his disenchanted sounding board just as avidly as her diet in the movie.

I've always found Ranveer Singh's excessive energy to be a major deterrent but here he contains it so deftly making his low on ambition, dry-humored albeit tender Kabir a delight to watch. Easily his most realized, assured and nuanced delivery.

Priyanka Chopra's Ayesha invites judgment in her submissiveness and silence as a self- deprecating achiever who allows her husband to think he 'allows' her to work. All the more so because she doesn't look the part even if her chic styling is right on mark.

Also cast against type, Rahul Bose has more success in getting the tone of his chauvinistic mamma's boy (a terrific Zarina Wahab) just right.

Farhan Akhtar and Anushka Sharma remain at the periphery triggering romance, realization and rebellion into the complex Mehra kids. Even if their role isn't as meaty, their lovely, likable persona infuses quick, believable chemistry. There are occasions when Zoya digs into their darker spaces -- pity sex, history of infidelity only to retreat back into the safety of all that is cosmetic, chirpy just like the Mehras.

Clearly, the leisurely-paced family dreamed isn't in a rush to get anywhere.

Cinematographer Carlos Catalan's sublime visuals, whether he's capturing the gorgeous ocean, majestic heritage sites, Zoya's expressive cast, the lavish breakfast buffet of freshly baked goodies, are effortlessly attractive.

Unfortunately, it doesn't lead up to anything distinct. Despite all the gyaan Pluto belts out, the movie wraps up hastily in a rather unfulfilled, problematic manner. Except that the actors play out the ensuing irrationality with such infectious gusto, it doesn't bother straightway.

Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do unravels like an entire season of soap opera condensed into a nearly three-hour movie that observes the clichés surrounding the affluent through wit and warmth but is, ultimately, too facile to rise above the charming fluff.

A Well-Made & Well-Acted Film!

[namashi_1 · 7/10 · 5 June 2015]

Zoya Akhtar's 'Dil Dhadakne Do' is A Well-Made & Well-Acted Film, although its not without its share of problems. Its overtly long & also not always sharp, and yet it gives us moments of pure emotion & the performances are stellar by its solid ensemble.

'Dil Dhadakne Do' Synopsis: A dysfunctional Punjabi family go on a cruise, where they egos & problems clash. Chaos Follows...

'Dil Dhadakne Do' tells the tale of a dysfunctional Punjabi family, with loads of humor & emotion. Akhtar & Reema Kagti's multi-plotted Screenplay is definitely lengthy & concentrates on too many characters, which at times acts as a deterrent, but overall, the madness works for the most of it. The primary characters are interestingly diverse & their on-going disagreements on issues, are fun to watch. While the first-hour is slowly paced & also loose, the second-hour is emotionally heavy. However, the usage of narration in the form of a dog, is a bit too much. Although Aamir Khan nails it in the voice-over, in terms of Writing, it seems as a lazy move. Nevertheless, The Screenplay is fairly decent. A Special Mention for the wonderful dialogue.

Akhtar's Direction is excellent & she deserves credit for churning out such terrific performances from its large ensemble cast. After 'Luck by Chance' & 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara', she has emerged with another impressive fare with 'Dil Dhadakne Do'. Carlos Catalan's Cinematography is stunning. Each & Every Moment has been captured beautifully. Editing is slightly loose, as the film goes on for nearly 3 hours! Some trimming, especially in the first-hour, was needed! Art & Costume Design are fabulous. Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is energetic.

Performance-Wise: Every Actor delivers in 'Dil Dhadakne Do'. Anil Kapoor takes the lead, enacting the money-minded businessman with effortless ease. Shefali Shah as his Wife, is extraordinary. She's so natural all through. As their children, Priyanka Chopra displays sincerity as a women torn between a shaky marriage & society issues. Ranveer Singh, on the other-hand, is simply awesome as the young blood who has a passion for flying. Ranveer also contributes to the film's funniest & best bits. Anushka Sharma lends adequate support as Ranveer's lady-love, while Farhan Akhtar is nicely restrained as Priyanka's ex-flame. Rahul Bose as Priyanka's annoying husband, is in super form, yet again! Zarina Wahab leaves a mark.

On the whole, 'Dil Dhadakne Do' isn't enjoyable entirely, but its still got merit & is superbly acted! Go, watch it!

Dil Dhanakne Do : A story of a which most of the family can relate to in one or other way.

[nehakanyalkar · 8/10 · 19 June 2015]

The Movie was in all Fantastic. Great recipe with comedy and seriousness. It had a message behind it. Which I think was important to convey. Parents controlling their grown up child and child lying to their parents. This movie can change the views "Child and Parent" or "Family".

About the characters,much unnecessary crowd in their. When it comes to acting they have killed it. (compliment) I always hated the song system in bollywood a typical dance where hero heroin dances and other background dancers shows up from nowhere and sync with them.But here in this movie songs are more relevant.

In all totally worth the 170 mins.

Totally recommend to watch the movie. And lastly... Dil Dhadakne Do

Enjoyably watchable, but ultimately just a slightly poor film about rich people

[Peter_Young · 6/10 · 14 February 2022]

Money runs the world, as they say. Like many Hindi films, this film has a simple plotline, only that it tells its story through the lives of outrageously wealthy people. Many have accused Zoya Akhtar of focusing many of her films on the rich and famous, but I see no problem in that. Yash Chopra made the most beautiful films centering on the lives of upper-class, urban people. The problem is that Dil Dhadakane Do is just not as good as it could have been. First, I really don't get the message that Akhtar was trying to convey here. Was it that rich people have problems too? Yes, we know that already, and besides that, thousands of soap operas did this before. Was it that rich people tend to be shallow with no values? That's the silliest kind stereotype I can think of (although it often turns out to be true). And yet, indeed, most of the characters in this slightly poor film are uni-dimensional, boring, and their struggle is mostly unconvincing. It is in the portrayal of human relationships, which this film seeks to deal with, where this film did not always ring true. Having said that, DDD remains a consistently watchable film. It is beautifully shot, which is a big bonus, and the photography of the different, breathtaking locales, as well as the sailing ship most of the story takes place in, is excellent. I like the concept that there aren't really any leading stars in the sense that the old couple is the lead pair just as the brother and sister are.

Indeed, the ensemble cast makes for a nice watch although, as stated above, their characters are just, simply put, not very easy to relate to (not because they're rich but just because often they're either not well written or not very well played). Among the good players, Shefali Shah, one of India's most natural, instinctive actresses, shines through and is always believable and truthful. She can obviously always be counted on to deliver, and she does here with her extraordinary expressions. Anil Kapoor is over-expressive most of the time but suits the role. Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh have good chemistry as siblings and are shown to be troubled and introverted just as kids with such parents could end up being. Chopra is successfully conflicted although she struggles where it takes to register the real complexity of her character, Ranveer Singh is reserved and subdues to good effect. Bit turns from Farhan Akhtar and Anushka Sharma are pretty good, and Sharma in particular is always natural and easy on the camera. Rahul Bose is wasted and so is Zarina Wahab, although they're both very good. Generally, the cast do their best, although sadly it's the script that falters and often makes some of them look unnatural. Some of the situations which naturally should have been emotional just don't manage. But the film is enjoyable in spite of its flaws and it is quite a nice ride which flows well.

Watch! Watch! Watch!

[Sruthi_Me · 9/10 · 28 June 2015]

This movie for some reason excited me. Perhaps it was because of the fact that I could never pronounce 'Dhadakne' properly , who knows?

All I know is, going for it, was probably the best decision I had made that week. Yep, you read it right. Forget everything anybody told you and just go watch it. You will not be disappointed.

The movie itself - 1. Hardly shows you Turkey or Greece (even though they are apparently on a cruise there).

2. Basically is shot on a ship. The only scenery you will see is a ship and water.

3. Has a great cast of big big Bollywood names. Huge bonus, yes?

4. If you are looking for a crappy people's pleaser that has the usual problems about love and the average citizens of India, this movie is not for you. Perhaps something like Tanu weds Manu returns is up your alley.

5. But, if you are looking for something that really showcases the rich, their lifestyle and the amount they go through and the fact that perhaps being at the top isn't all that awesome afteral but maybe just is a case of the grass is greener on the other side - then look no further. Get onto bookmyshow and buy yourself a ticket right now.

I for one, thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a brilliant idea. Oh, plus, I thought Ranvir killed it in this one (p.s. I have never liked that guy).

A Good Film! (For the most part)

[tcraut · 7/10 · 28 May 2020]

The film revolves around a rich family and their internal problems. For the world, they are the perfect family, which is not actually the case however.

I loved the way how the shallowness of the characters was depicted throughout the film. Nobody wants to talk about their true emotions because of the fear of "society". Even though the story is about an upper class family, it is quite relatable across all classes.

While the film is entertaining, it does feel a bit stretched at times. The songs are forgettable except one. The climax could definitely have been better.

Overall it is a fun, light film and can be watched with your family.

A lot of positive things to take away from!

highly disappointed

[rdheeru_98 · 5/10 · 7 June 2015]

To start off with, Zoya's last movie was Zindagi na milegi dobaara, which I liked down to bits and pieces and had rated it with 10. Coming to Dil Dhadakne do, something vital seems to be missing, maybe ZNMD's charm? I'll try not to compare it with ZNMD.

Ranveer singh is the Saviour of this movie. His character well carved and he does justice to what is given to him.

Priyanka Chopra is good as Ayesha and her chemistry with her On-screen brother is superb.

Anil Kapoor hasn't lost his charm yet. He is perfectly casted. But, still, just for fun, too young to play a father's role?

Shefali Shah as Neelam Mehra compliments Anil Kapoor. As a classy and super elite mother, she does quite well.

Anushka Sharma has a "cameo" kind of a role. Nothing much for her.

Farhan Akhtar is good as always in a special appearance.

Rahul Bose gets into the character easily and does a fine job.

Special mention to Aamir Khan and Pluto Mehra. *Watch the movie*

The story lags and drags till intermission. There are some genuine laughs throughout the movie but major part of the movie is dull. Zoya Akhtar, unfortunately, wasn't able to wand out a magical spell which she did on ZNMD.

Music is quite average except "Gallan Goodiyan" which is a 'One shot' song.

An average One time watch if you go in without any Expectations.

DDD is the most fun of had in the theaters this year!!!

[jmoneyjohal · 8/10 · 5 June 2015]

The Mehras host friends on a luxurious cruise - but what happens when the hosts discover another journey?

Straight away, Dil Dhadakne Do redefines the Bollywood family drama. Millionaire Kamal Mehra (Anil) faces bankruptcy. To shore up credibility, Kamal and his wife Neelam (Shefali) invite their rich friends on a luxurious Mediterranean cruise, joined by son Kabir (Ranveer), daughter Ayesha (Priyanka), her pompous husband Manav (Rahul), his complaining mother (Zarina Wahab), the gentle Mehra dog Pluto - and lots of bitchy buddies.

What happens when tension between Kamal and Neelam becomes obvious? When Kabir refuses marrying heiress Noorie because he loves dancer Farah (Anushka)? And when Ayesha's attractive ex Sunny (Farhan) joins the cruise?

Dil Dhadakne Do goes behind the glossy grins of Indian family life, presenting screaming, sobbing dysfunction, heart-ripping extramarital affairs, bitter gender discrimination and heavy parental control. Yet, it has a light hand, not preachy but breezy while sensitively making modern points.

Family scenes - Kamal sourly taunting Neelam's weight, Kabir silently supporting Ayesha, Neelam weepy binging on chocolate, Kamal tackling bills with pills - are little gems, capturing the daily friction, the deep hurt, the bonds and binds families represent.

Performances impact - Anil Kapoor is terrific as dominating, steel-haired, stressed-out Kamal, Shefali as stiff Neelam, whose coldness to her daughter chills a Turkish hamaam, whose plasticly response to her son's worries is, "Awww, cheese toast banwayun?" Priyanka Chopra presents a finely tense Ayesha, building a winning business - but crumbling under a miserable marriage, her last straw being Sunny (Farhan, who smolders satisfactorily).

The revelation however is Ranveer Singh in a new avatar - his Kabir is unsure, vulnerable, sometimes weak. Combining gentleness with slow grit, Ranveer makes this family saga also about a boy.

Hilariously, another Indian 'family member' appears - the aunt, several sparkling entertainers on board, gossiping, judging, surprising partying progeny whose guilty drawl, "I was hanging out..." meets an outraged, "Hanging out what - clothes?!"

Cameos, clashes, confessions - and the pulsating long-take 'Amritsari Chooriyan' - crescendo in a climax when an 'amargancy' forces the Mehras to sink or swim.

With her quirky third, Zoya Akhtar further sharpens her oeuvre - the stylish ensemble tale, where journeys take over destinations. On this ship, a few bolts could be tighter. The Kabir-Farah track over-extends while British Farah's Indian accent and Indian Ayesha's American accent should'vie been ironed out.

But these are fleeting clouds on an otherwise beautiful sea, hosting a cruise which hilariously combines butter chicken with bruschetta while searching beyond Bollywood's emotional Botox for a family's warts - and its heart.

4/5* or 8/10

A satirical and yet emotional take on modern day life and problems

[kalpa-778-854780 · 4 June 2015]

Like every Zoya Akhtar movie "Dil Dhadakne Do" is perfect blend of life, family, friends, marriage, business and the problems that surrounds them. The first half is an extended introduction of every character and their problems shown in a satirical manner. The post interval half is more serious and emotional. Overall it is a good and refreshing movie. The type of movie Bollywood needs. No unnecessary masala, 'herogiri' and clichés . The only thing the film lacked is good songs. The songs are not up to the mark in an otherwise good movie. If you are bored of the masala entertainers Bollywood is offering every Friday, than this is the movie for you.

"Dil Dahdakne Do" ("Let the Heart Beat") is an ambitious and enjoyable Indian film.

[CleveMan66 · 7/10 · 14 June 2015]

Indian society is undergoing dramatic changes in terms of gender roles and rules regarding marriage. Marrying for love (as opposed to the rate of arranged marriages) is on the rise and, although still relatively rare, India is also seeing more divorces. These trends indicate more self-determination for the current generation of young Indians – especially young women. Related trends include couples having fewer children and more women working outside the home. I've noticed these changes (and the tension they cause between young Indians and their parents) in every Indian movie I've seen in the past ten years. Still, I've never seen so many of these changes depicted in a single movie before "Dil Dhadakne Do" (NR, 2:50). The title translates from Hindi into English as "Let the Heart Beat", very appropriate for a film that deals with so many different, yet related matters of the heart.

This is a drama and a romance (or maybe I should say multiple romances), with a good bit of comedy mixed in. The story centers around the Mehras, a small Punjabi family (father, mother and two grown children), their familial relationships to each other and their business, personal and romantic relationships with other families in their community. The father, Kamal (Anil Kapoor, increasingly recognizable to western audiences after roles in "Slumdog Millionaire", "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" and TV's "24"), is a wealthy businessman whose business has recently been struggling lately, whether the outside world knows it or not. His wife, Neelam (Shefali Shah) is not happy in the marriage but stays, for the sake of personal security and societal tradition. Their adult son, Kabir (Ranveer Singh), is being groomed to take over his father's company someday, but doesn't seem to have either the talent or the heart for it. Kabir's sister, Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra) runs a business of her own and is quite successful, but is very unhappy in her marriage to Manav (Rahul Bose, who happens to look like India's version of Hank Azaria). In fact, no one in this family is particularly happy with his or her life, but the film's story is meant to give each of them at least a shot at the kind of personal growth that could lead to happiness for each of them.

To celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, Kamal and Neelam take several other families with them on a two-week Mediterranean cruise. The confines of the cruise ship allow (or force) the Mehra family to deal with the myriad of issues that have built up among themselves over the years – as well as between them and others on the cruise. Kamal has to face how he has neglected Neelam over the years and comes to understand how she has felt for the past three decades. Ayesha is finally honest about how she feels in her marriage and has to decide what to do next. Meanwhile, Kabir's parents are trying to get him together with Noorie (Ridhima Sood), who was recently jilted at the altar by her fiancé and whose father is a businessman who might be interested in investing in Kamal's company. Unfortunately for the plans of Kabir's parents, Noorie becomes interested in Rana (Vikrant Massey), who happens to belong to a family that Noorie's parents hate (ala "Romeo and Juliet") and Kabir develops an interest in Farah (Anushka Sharma), one of the ship's employees. Hey, what can you do? As Selena Gomez would say, "the heart wants what it wa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ants." The cruise ship setting plays into the story in other ways too. It gives the movie some good excuses for the musical numbers that seem to be required by law in all movies made in India. We see a nice production number in the cruise's stage show and a very energetic celebration during a family party on the ship. It's all part of the fun – and a break from the sometimes intense drama. We also get to see some beautiful scenery and sites as the cruise makes port at various picturesque and historic locations in the Med. The ship's route also makes it convenient for successful but nomadic journalist Sunny Gil (Farhan Akhtar) to join his father (one of Kamal's employees) on the cruise by meeting the ship at one of its stops. (Sunny just happens to be an old flame of Ayesha's – the one that got away, as we Americans say.) Oh, and the setting for most of the movie being a family cruise means that Pluto, the Mehra family's dog, is never far off. This is important because he is the movie's sometime narrator. Well, there is a lot going on in this movie, so someone has to help us keep it all straight.

"Dil Dhadakne Do" ("Let the Heart Beat") is a very ambitious – and very enjoyable movie. Through its multiple story lines, it tackles several of the societal changes modern India is facing and suggests some ways that its people can deal with those changes – and each other. The script also makes some very interesting observations about human nature, both in the dialog between the characters, and in the words of one very astute canine. Many of India's most popular actors appear in the film, lending their gravitas, comedic skills, good looks and musical talents to the proceedings. This is one very long movie but the number of story lines, twists and turns, and the talent of the cast generally hold the audience's attention. The movie could have been shorter and still accomplish everything that director Zoya Akhtar and her screenwriters set out to do. I also have to point out that the climactic scene crosses over into the ridiculous – but it is fun to watch. Having said all that, the plot's scope is impressive, the story wonderfully acted and the romance, drama, comedy and music skillfully woven together into one entertaining film. "B+"

The lamest of all, Period!

[sidin · 2/10 · 5 June 2015]

Dil Dhadakne Do is a pale and lame film about some pale and lame people. I am not even comparing director Zoya Akhtar's previous two works as this movie is beyond comparison not because its lame but it lacks the substance and the sheer soul of being a Zoya movie.

The only high points of the movie are Ranveer Singh aka Kabir Mehra and the bullmastiff (read: dog breed) Pluto Mehra's dialogues on life lessons penned by Javed Akhtar. You want to see more of Ranveer, while you wait for the movie to pick up pace, but that sadly happens only towards the end.

This cruise sinks miserably, you may like to give it a miss and surprisingly you won't regret it! Happy Weekend folks!