'Dear Zindagi' review: Alia Bhatt delivers a powerful punch

Amusing Tweets, an appetising trailer and a 'Koffee with Karan' new season that kicks off with the film's lead pair - Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan - making an appearance. Gauri Shinde's second box-office outing had whetted the appetite.

'Dear Zindagi' is a tale of a twenty-something cinematographer, Kaira, played by Alia Bhatt who is a budding cinematographer grappling with love, relationships and men. Vibrant and energetic, Kaira is insecure and woefully unplanned.

Alia Bhatt fits into the role of an energetic, slightly-hyper girl who likes to live in the moment. After a break-up with Angad Bedi, she falls for Kunal Kapoor who is headed to New York to work on a feature film. While Alia wants to pursue her cinematic dreams in New York, Kapoor doesn't feel the same about her, though he pretends to help her, but is helpless.

#DearZindagi has a STRONG start... Hi-end plexes of major centres contribute maximum... Fri ? 8.75 cr [1200 screens]. India biz.

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) November 26, 2016

After two heartbreaks, she finally finds some solace in her therapist, Dr. Jehangir Khan a.k.a. Jug, played by Shah Rukh Khan. It is Jug who pulls her out of her low phase and adds perspective to life in general.

Thank you guys for all the love!!!!! Such a lovely feeling to wake up to :) wohoooo @iamsrk @gauris @karanjohar #DearZindagi ????????

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) November 26, 2016

The first half has some brilliant scenes when Alia explodes after an aunt touts her as 'pataka' before calling her 'Lebanese' which she meant 'lesbian'. In total control, Alia's body language is remarkable when she is fiddling with the furniture and twitching her lips or breaking a bottle of pickles when she comes to know of Kapoor's engagement.


Take 1 of 'Dear Zindagi' in which we find Jug, played by Shahrukh Khan playing kabaddi with the waves. (Image: YouTube)

The second half drags a bit with the introduction of a dapper-looking Zafar Ali at a nightclub and a romance which could have been avoided that follows.


This is the last picture before Raghavendra, played by Kunal Kapoor departs for NY, leaving Kaira heart-broken. (Image: Facebook)

While Shahrukh does the balancing act, stepping ahead, when needed, it is Alia Bhatt who carries the film on her shoulders.


Kaira, played by Alia Bhatt, unwinds by the beach in Goa, trying to wipe out all the problems in her life. (Image: Facebook)

The music by Amit Trivedi elevates the film, though one does feel that it was a bit overused.

Thank u all for the love this small lil film is getting. I feel so proud that I could be a part of @gauris & @aliaa08 journey.#DearZindagi

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) November 26, 2016

One also feels the script could have been crafted better to wrap in the two big stars well. Laxman Utekar's cinematography, however, could have been better.


The chemistry between Shahrukh Khan & Alia Bhatt elevates the film. (Image: Facebook)

A warm film that tugs at the heartstrings. Go, watch 'Dear Zindagi' this weekend and you might look at pop psychology in a new light!