As a fervent lover of cinema, I walked into the theater with an open heart, ready to experience the newest Bollywood offering, “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke”. With a promising star cast including Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan, I was expecting a roller-coaster ride of emotions, humor, and perhaps a deeper exploration into the theme of love and aspiration in a small town.
But alas, the film disappointingly fell flat in every aspect. Overloaded with clichés, burdened by lackluster humor and weighed down by a predictable plot, “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” turned out to be a chore to sit through. Thus, with a heavy heart and deep dismay, I am left with no option but to rate this film 1 out of 5.
Let’s start with the film’s premise – a young couple aspiring to own a house and live a nuclear family life in Indore, a small town in India. This premise, in and of itself, holds potential for a compelling narrative.
The socio-economic realities of small-town India and the youthful aspirations of its residents could have been portrayed in a meaningful, poignant and humorous way. But the film instead chose to trivialize these realities, using them as mere props to concoct an insipid romantic comedy that had neither romance nor comedy.
Movie Stills: Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
Director Laxman Utekar’s insistence on repetitive plotlines and predictable twists hampered the overall narrative flow. The romantic arc between the lead pair is built on clichés that we’ve all seen and rolled our eyes at numerous times before.
The quirky tale of their attempts to achieve their dream home, the plot’s primary hook, quickly devolves into a dull and wearisome spiral of manufactured problems and easy resolutions. The supposedly humorous situations are so bereft of originality that they evoke more sighs than laughs.
Performance-wise, “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” offered its cast very little room to shine.
Sara Ali Khan, who plays Somya, the ambitious, modern woman from a Punjabi family, tried her best to bring sincerity to her role. But with a script that is more intent on making her character a cardboard cutout of the ‘modern woman’, she was unable to fully showcase her capabilities.
On the other hand, Vicky Kaushal, as the traditional middle-class yoga instructor Kapil, was a disappointment. His usually reliable knack for playing the average Indian guy seemed lost amidst the haphazard writing and direction. Their onscreen chemistry felt forced, and their romantic moments felt like staged afterthoughts rather than authentic expressions of love.
The film’s supporting cast was wasted in roles that required them to simply fill the screen without adding anything significant to the narrative. Characters that could have been well-drawn and compelling were reduced to mere caricatures, and skilled actors like Rakesh Bedi and Sushmita Mukherjee, who play Somya’s parents, were limited to enacting predictable and boring scenes.
“Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” also failed to harness the vibrant and diverse culture of small-town India. The film’s depiction of the city of Indore and its residents was stereotypical and superficial, thereby denying the audience a genuine glimpse into the lives and nuances of these characters and their surroundings.
Another area where “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” severely disappointed was in its music. Despite being helmed by the usually reliable duo Sachin-Jigar, the soundtrack lacked the infectious energy and lyrical depth of their previous works. With forgettable tunes and uninspiring lyrics, the music added little value to the overall experience.
In terms of technical aspects, the film’s cinematography and art direction felt lackluster. There were moments where it seemed the film was attempting to communicate visually, but these were few and far between, and generally underwhelming.
The most disheartening aspect, however, was that the film never seemed to grasp its own narrative potential. The concept of aspiration and the struggles faced by small-town individuals trying to attain their dreams is rich with dramatic and comedic opportunities.
However, these were never explored beyond surface level, and the plot often felt like a weak excuse for slapstick comedy and forced sentimentality.
In summary, “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” failed to deliver on its promise of a refreshing romantic comedy.
Despite having talented actors and a potentially intriguing premise, it was dragged down by clichéd storytelling, uninspired humor, and a lack of thematic depth. The film lacked the charm, wit, and warmth that one expects from this genre. Instead, it offered a hollow and tedious viewing experience that tested the patience and goodwill of the audience.
Unfortunately, for a film that aimed to present a “different” and “careful” tale of aspirations, love, and dreams, it was anything but that. It was the same old wine in a different but equally dull bottle. “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” gets a regretful 1 out of 5 stars from me. Better luck next time, Bollywood!
Update: The Movie will be available on Jio Cinema in September
