Movie: Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan, Inaamulhaq, Sushmita Mukherjee, Neeraj Sood, Rakesh Bedi, Sharib Hashmi
Directed by Laxman Utekar, “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” brings together the much-anticipated pairing of Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan for the first time in a romantic comedy. The film starts off with the promise of delivering fresh humor, edgy characters, and a storyline that breaks away from the usual Bollywood tropes. However, it ultimately falls short of expectations, turning into a loud and cringeworthy affair that relies heavily on overacting, dramatic dialogues, and tired Punjabi stereotypes.
Plot
The premise of the movie revolves around Kapil Dubey (Vicky Kaushal) and Somya Chawla (Sara Ali Khan), college sweethearts who are happily married and living with Kapil’s joint middle-class Pandit family in a small house in Indore. Kapil is a yoga instructor with a frugal mindset, while Somya comes from a modern Punjabi family and dreams big in life. In their quest to secure their own dream house, the couple fakes a divorce to qualify for a government housing lottery scheme. This leads them to live separately, pretending to hate each other. However, the ensuing drama takes unexpected turns, and the fate of their relationship hangs in the balance.
What worked, what didn’t
Clocking in at 132 minutes, the film manages to avoid dragging or unnecessary stretches. However, it has its fair share of highs and lows. The comedic moments, particularly in the first half, generate some genuine laughs with harmless jokes and light-hearted humor. The initial momentum keeps the audience engaged. However, the film loses its way in the second half, lacking a clear direction and becoming excessively melodramatic.
The script, co-written by Laxman Utekar, Maitrey Bajpai, and Ramiz Ilham Khan, fails to offer anything groundbreaking or truly memorable. Instead, it becomes predictable and relies on a comedy of errors that ultimately falls flat. The writing and direction flaws become difficult to overlook, leaving a sense of disappointment.
Acting Performance
The performances by the lead actors attempt to salvage the film to some extent. Sara Ali Khan displays restraint in her acting, with occasional moments of overacting that don’t become too bothersome. Vicky Kaushal, on the other hand, showcases a range of emotions and successfully embodies the small-town guy, maintaining a raw demeanor throughout. Their onscreen chemistry is better than what is typically seen in formulaic rom-coms, though it falls short of being extraordinary.
The supporting cast, including Rakesh Bedi and Sushmita Mukherjee as Somya’s parents, impress with their comedic timing and authenticity. However, some characters are underutilized, such as Daroga (played by Sharib Hashmi), the nosy colony guard, whose potential is wasted in a minimal role. Additionally, the portrayal of Kapil’s lawyer friend veers into overacting, detracting from the overall experience. One standout performance comes from Inaamulhaq as the crooked and dubious agent Baghwandas, who brings some comic relief to the story.
Music
One aspect of “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” that stands out is the music, composed by Sachin-Jigar and featuring lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The songs, including “Tere Vaaste” and “Phir Aur Kya Chahiye,” leave a lasting impression and create a vibrant atmosphere. They serve as one of the highlights of the film.
Conclusion
In the end, “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” is an easy-going family entertainer that manages to hold the audience’s attention without becoming boring. However, it lacks the depth and well-crafted screenplay needed to make a lasting impact. While there are a few laughs to be had and some enjoyable moments, the film falls short of its potential. With stronger writing and more focused direction, it could have been a more satisfying cinematic experience.