Dil Dhadakne Do

Dil Dhadakne Do is a 2015 Indian comedy-drama film that explores the dynamics of modern relationships, marriage, and familial ties. The movie was conceptualized under the visionary direction of Zoya Akhtar and showcases the extraordinary acting prowess of a star-studded ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anushka Sharma, Farhan Akhtar, and Ranveer Singh. The screenplay, also written by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, touches upon deep issues while offering respite with light-hearted humor and satirical overtones.

Set against the luxurious backdrop of an extravagant cruise trip across Europe, Dil Dhadakne Do follows the lives of the posh Mehra family. The family heads, Kamal Mehra (Anil Kapoor) and Neelam Mehra (Shefali Shah), seemingly have it all — a successful business, a lavish lifestyle, and a perfect family image. Nevertheless, underneath this veneer, struggles, issues, and tensions are boiling relentlessly.

Kamal Mehra is portrayed as a self-absorbed, successful businessman nearing bankruptcy. His wife, Neelam Mehra, is a high-society woman obsessively trying to maintain the façade of a happy, affluent family. The Mehra couple, in an attempt to salvage Kamal’s failing company and uphold their highly cultivated image, plan a grand 30th wedding anniversary celebration on a cruise and invite their affluent friends in the hope of making a profitable business alliance for their son.

Ayesha Mehra, played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, is the successful and independent elder daughter of the Mehra family. However, she is trapped in an unhappy marriage. A fiercely independent woman, Ayesha is a reluctant participant in the high-society game, dealing with her own intricate web of personal and professional issues.

Completing the Mehra family is the youngest member, Kabir Mehra (Ranveer Singh), a free-spirited individual, who is expected to take over his father's business. This is the last thing Kabir wants, as he is heavily into aviation; nonetheless, he finds himself cornered by his parents’ ambitious designs.

The storyline unfolds over the epic journey across the pristine Mediterranean, revealing the hidden rifts and complexities of the family through everyday interactions, leading to unexpected encounters and moments of introspection. As the cruise sails, dramas unfold, secrets tumble out, and emotional dilemmas intensify, providing a cinematic magnifying glass into the deeply rooted issues of societal norms, love, relationships, marriage, and familial expectations.

Adding an interesting layer to the narrative is Anushka Sharma, playing the role of Farah Ali, a dancer on the cruise, her chemistry with Kabir ignites a subplot that offers a fresh take on love and individuality.

Farhan Akhtar makes a significant cameo in the movie as Sunny Gill, a journalist and Ayesha’s former lover. His character adds another dimension to the multilayered narrative, a voice for gender equality and individual freedom, entangled in the complexities of love and marriage.

Dil Dhadakne Do is a visual spectacle. The vista of exotic European locales, coupled with the luxurious interiors of the cruise, makes it a visual delight. Glamorous outfits, grandeur, and glitz are balanced with prevalent emotional undercurrents, creating a textured narrative, true to Zoya Akhtar's signature storytelling style.

The film's narrative is held together by a rather unique narrative tool – the voiceover of the Mehra family's pet dog, Pluto Mehra (voiceover by Aamir Khan), who provides distinctive, insightful, and often amusing commentary on the human relationships unfolding before his eyes.

Dil Dhadakne Do beautifully highlights the changing dynamics of familial relationships and societal norms through the lens of humor and sarcasm, making it a compelling watch. The film leaves audiences with a thought-provoking message - to let the heart beat or 'Dil Dhadakne Do,' indicating the importance of listening to one's heart and breaking free of societal constraints when it comes to one's own happiness. With a well-crafted screenplay, high production values, commendable performances, and an engaging story, the film is bound to resonate with audiences who appreciate meticulous storytelling.