1. First and foremost, you had me at Banta, Aanand L Rai! (That fizzy lemon drink with the marble in it.) I have a billion great college memories of drinking that stuff (even if Covid 19 pretty well put an end to the concept, eh?)
2. While playing a woman that is rough around the edges, Sara Ali Khan looks very stunning. I just adore her in it. With her unkempt hair, filthy language, and ability to avoid being crass by being so attractive. Also a great win is Chaka Chak in a bright sari on the big screen. I’m so glad this is her post-pandemic release because she demonstrates variety and vulnerability well beyond her experience.
3. Nani, the badass (who you’ll love to despise), exudes mad boss vibes. I’m not going to F with her.
4. I’m not sure if it was the slow-motion sprinting around old Indian courtyards or the several sequences where everyone is casually wet in rain, but it all felt extremely pre-pandemic to me. Even if there is some lowkey shade due to Delhi’s pollution levels, there isn’t a mask in sight!
5. Oh, my goodness! Everyone in the theatre, I believe, will be crushing on him to the extreme. I kind of want to rewatch the entire movie with someone who speaks Tamil just so I can comprehend what he says, even though he expresses it all so perfectly with just a few tear-filled eyes and tone. His brilliance shines through in an outstanding performance that is both subtle and heartfelt, making you want to embrace him all the time.
6. Can we agree that, more than a knight in shining armour, what a girl needs these days is a male who does a joyous dance outside her door because he loves her and she delights him, and who will make the entire world celebrate whatever she wants to celebrate? This is love, my friends. #Goals
7. Kudos to the filmmakers for creating a storey about the good guys while also including an important lesson on female respect for males of all ages.
8. It’s difficult to romanticise mental health, especially if you want to keep it upbeat without being frivolous. PTSD is a serious issue (not just for war survivors), and the film does an excellent job of addressing it in a setting that I believe a broad audience would understand if addressed gently like this by the writer Himanshu Sharma. In reality, the picture has a modern edge and is evocative of Sadma (a 1983 film starring Sridevi and Kamal Hassan).
9. Akshay Kumar delivers the promised glitz and glam and does what he does best: smile a big smile that brightens up the room. Also, props to him for being a superstar and enjoying an unconventional position!
10. Finally, the music is by A.R. Rahman. There’s no way to go wrong there! Every song is well timed and a unique experience in and of itself.
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