Dil Dhadakne Do

wogma rating: Add to that never-watched 'To Watch' list (?)

quick review:

A few laugh out loud moments, a smile through and through. A few real problems looked at superficially. Some #FirstWorldProblem you smile a cynical smile at. Unfortunately, a little shallow, a little too flaky and preachy too.

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Director: Zoya Akhtar
Running time: 170 minutes
More Movie Info

Dil Dhadakne Do - Preview

Except for one “laugh out loud” moment at the end of Dil Dhadakne Do's trailer, it didn't look like an adequate successor to the director, Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Luck By Chance. Even though they belonged to a different social strata from us, there was some amount of connect with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara's chacters, even if in a fairy-tale like way.

There is something about Dil Dhadakne Do characters that makes you look at it as “their” story rather than could be my story. The question then is, will it alienate me or will it pull me into its narrative? Fortunately or unfortunately, I am not that excited about this film as I thought I'd be for the next Zoya Akhtar film.

Music Reviews:
Bollyspice - "3/5"
Bollywood Hungama – "3.5/5"
Milliblog - "Mature, classy soundtrack from the dependable trio."
Music Aloud – "7.5/10"

- meeta, a part of the audience

The Mehras are taking friends and family out on a 10-day cruise to Turkey and Greece to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. As a side note, they are also almost bankrupt. And they don't really like the people they are taking along – the society they belong to. This is served to you in the first few minutes of the film. Almost as if to get the shock of how rich and how flaky they are out of the way. To set the mood. To make you believe this is not your world, but is the real world of some people out there. This helps you to enjoy their world and feel for them, even if from the outside. However, you can constantly see through the superficial coverage of how fake that real world is.

As a positive, Dil Dhadakne Do is very aware that it isn't digging too deep. Making a judgment call that the glimpse is enough to give the audience an idea of what life is like if you are in the top 1% of the population – financially. It's wears its cynical take on its sleeve by making you laugh a hearty laugh in some really dark situations – a bit of a surprise from a film posing as a “feel good” one.

The laughter is as much an outcome from the situation as it is from the timing of the pauses. Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Shefali Chhaya, Rahul Bose all crack you up while they make you sad for their situation and/or personalities. Anushka Sharma looks like she started off from where she left in her previous film, Bombay Velvet. While each one did as great a job as the next one, I felt like slapping Rahul Bose and I felt for a confident, successful Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra) cowering to the men of her life (fine, with a few crores less). Jobs well done for sure.

While the rest of the character artists – and there are loads of them – do come across as real people too, there is a blanket judgement on the entire group. All aunties are focussed on getting their daughters married? Almost all uncles are politicians masquerading around as businessmen? All seniors are outward looking and shallow. All youngsters are inward looking enough to poke fun at their branded footwear but will wear them nevertheless.

This is where the film looks like it got a little too selective about the face of this world it wants to show. Priyanka Chopra and Shefaly Chhaya belong to this world in real-life, right? So does director, Zoya Akhtar. I can't imagine one of them taking the flak from men in the real world. Then, how come there is not one woman in Dil Dhadakne Do who defies that without the support of a man – be it a brother or a beau.

The superficiality creates deeper fissures as it deals with “social issues”. It is too in the face. For example, while it starts out showing a character's fake liberalism subtly by a casual remark he makes. An entire scene is created, quite literally, to explain how the liberalism is fake - no room for benefit of doubt to the audience's intelligence. At other times, a brilliant and necessary point is made and then underlined, italicized and emboldened by none other than a dog's voiceover.

While I have a problem of “telling not showing” with voiceovers in general, this one just takes it too far. Except for one line, that maybe couldn't have been made without the animal-human analogy, I couldn't see the reason for the dog as a character in the film at all. His inclusion felt like it was done when the writers realized the film lacked punch. Then, it doesn't matter if it is dialogue written by Javed Akhtar. A sermon is a sermon. Oh well, maybe that's what we should expect given the voice in the voiceover.

Not to mention it made the film longer. Every minute over the 120 mark counts, and this one runs over by all of 50!

Then come the personality transitions. I've always had a problem with one situation/dialogue changing a personality around in films. But Dil Dhadakne Do made me wonder. Are flaky people really the more aware ones? Deep down do they know very well that they have chosen their masks? All they are waiting for is something/someone to call their bluff and they will straighten out. Writers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti make this happen quiet convincingly. Until they go overboard (pun intended). The climax is rubbish and it is out of place and it is so not what we saw in their previous outing with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - a film with one of the best climaxes. Same can be said about the music and crisp dialogue.

So, my 11-year old daughter has been desperately waiting for me to come back from the film because she wants to know if she can watch it. While watching the film, I wondered if she should be exposed to conniving parenting, lest she believe like the film wants you to, that all parents manipulate their kids. On the other hand, she might come out believing that how lucky she got with her parents. Yeah, maybe I will let her watch the film. See what I did there? evil grin

- meeta, a part of the audience

32 reviewers(?) - 16 yays 13 so-so 3 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Anna MM Vetticad, annavetticadgoes2themovies : ...DDD is not flawless, but barring that nutty ending, I had a rollicking good time watching it because it is funny, believable and sweet, the cast is lovely and most of all, because now that I’ve seen it, I’ve fallen in love with both Ranveer Singh and Anil Kapoor.... full review

Thumbs up, by Naresh Kumar Deoshi, Apun Ka Choice : ...Warts and all, 'Dil Dhadakne Do' is a delightful tale, albeit a tad too long (169 minutes). It takes a peek into the cracks of a dysfunctional family. It etches a beautiful episode of sibling love. It exposes the hypocrisy of the swish set. It tells you, like previous Zoya Akhtar films, to follow your heart. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Prateeksha Khot, Bolly Spice : ...DDD manages to state a point which many Indian kids struggle to explain to their parents – that every relation in addition to love also needs space to grow. In spite of the faults, DDD will definitely manage to bring a smile to your face when you walk out of the theatre. Do watch.... full review

Thumbs up, Bollywood Hungama : ...On the whole, if you want to understand the nitty-gritty's (read 'the do's and don'ts) of a complex family relationship, then, do yourself and your family a favour by taking them to meet the Mehras this weekend. In simple words, DIL DHADAKNE DO makes for a decent watch.... full review

Thumbs up, by Parampara Patil Hashmi, Desi Martini : ... It's ship of sinking relationships that finally finds it's lifeboat.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Every member of the literally big ensemble cast in DDD, comes together to make it feel like a family. You have a quirky Punjabi clan and their oddball friends dancing and singing to some great music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. They’re in good looking locations with fancy clothes and luxurious ambiance. It’s an exclusive peek into the lifestyle of the rich and famous. There’s a decent well-rounded story as well. It’s the perfect exotic weekend getaway. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Mihir Fadnavis, FirstPost : ...The only genuine complaint of the film is that it is long. The first half of DDD moves at a sluggish pace. A tighter edit could probably have made this film even better. It hardly matters in such a likable film though and it’s great to see such a mainstream film with such a huge star cast deliver with such ease. Faith in Zoya Akhtar has been restored.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nupur Barua, fullhyd.com : ...The songs are not very impressive, given that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are the music directors. They are feet-tapping, but not memorable. The editing of the film, whose length runs to over 170 minutes, could have been crisper. The visuals, on the other hand, are a treat. Carlos Catalan, who has been associated with all of Zoya Akhtar's films, is careful not to be too intrusive with the camera, nor too experimental. He takes you straight into the spaces that the characters are in, and you almost forget that it is a two-dimensional medium that you are watching. He does insert some establishing shots of locations, and of the ship, but he does not overdo it.... full review

Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...And though I have mentioned that every actor steals the show, for me it is Ridhima Sud, who powers through, in a very subtle, classy manner pushing her love story forward with meek enthusiasm. The music is cool to the point that you don't take anything home with you, but enjoy it while it lasts. Special mention must be made of the choreography by Bosco-Caesar. Superb. Every step falls in place! ... full review

Thumbs up, by Surabhi Redkar, koimoi : ...Dil Dhadakne Do is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is a high society drama that may tackle regular family issues too but may not suffice as entertainment for all. I am going with a 3/5 for this niche family drama.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shubha Shetty-Saha, MiD DAY : ...If this film looks like an entertaining, escapist film at the outset, it is, but it is also much deeper than that. Watch it for sure. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/dil-dhadakne-do---movie-review/16265195#sthash.WwXyvdNk.dpuf... full review

Thumbs up, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...Apart from performances and the direction, it is the visual appeal of the film that makes it worth a watch, an element that has become Zoya's cinematic trademark now. If you are fed up of 'goody goody' family stories, 'Dil Dhadakne Do' should be on your 'to do' list this weekend.... full review

Thumbs up, by Divya Solgama, MoviezADDA : ...Dum??? Well the movie is an elite entertainer with decent performances and great moments attached to it. It's not as classy as Zoya's debut film 'Luck By Chance' or highly entertaining as 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara', but still has its own merits to end up as a decent watch. The masses might find it tiring, bland and boring, but for the ones who love such types of ensemble films will not be disappointed for sure. On an overall basis, 'Dil Dhadakne Do' is like having a Pani Puri in a five star hotel, which is totally healthy and looks visually appealing, lacking a bit over the spices.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...There are some superb performances in store here. Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah are superb as the parent duo. Priyanka Chopra does full justice to her character, and makes us empathize with her situation. But it is Ranveer Singh who remains the absolute scene-stealer. Note the scene where he's laughing when his parents are offering him a bribe of sorts. The more they talk, the more he laughs. Or the moment where he has a final conversation with his family— he's simply supe... full review

Thumbs up, by Srijana Mitra Das, Times of India : ...But these are fleeting clouds on an otherwise beautiful sea, hosting a cruise which hilariously combines butter chicken with bruschetta while searching beyond Bollywood's emotional Botox for a family's warts - and its heart.... full review

Thumbs up, by Ritika Handoo, Zee News : ...The music by Shankar Ehsaan and Loy is in sync with the feel of the film and seems fresh to the ears. The supporting characters too have done a great job in their parts and the film surely 'excels' in every sense. However, the pace is a little bit of a hindrance in the otherwise perfect venture.... full review

So-So, by Tushar Joshi, Bollywood Life : ...Dil Dhadakne Do boasts of a stellar ensemble, now only if we could say the same about the writing! You might want to get off this ship half way.... full review

So-So, by Shefali Saxena, Desi Martini : ...Ranveer Singh is the only saving grace in Dil Dhadakne Do!... full review

So-So, by Sara Naqvi, Desi Martini : ...Watch it if you have nothing to do this weekend.... full review

So-So, by Aneela Zeb Babar, Desi Martini : ...I am sorry ji. My fondness for Anil Kapoor be damned but I cannot pretend like they do and fake my enthusiasm for this movie. I am getting off this ship. Coincidentally also a scene from this film.... full review

So-So, by Mohammad Murtaza Ali, Desi Martini : ... The movie could have been much more than a clichéd melodramatic family affair had the makers given greater importance to storytelling... full review

So-So, by Sarita A Tanwar, DNA : ...DDD would've been a lot of fun had it been shorter, crisper and less indulgent. ... full review

So-So, by Rohit Vats, Hindustan Times : ...There is hardly any takeaway from Dil Dhadakne Do and its characters are not likely to stay with you for long. Also, it would be hard for you and me to identify with the doubts and troubles of the morally ambiguous Mehra family. However, the film has a good starcast and that can dictate the game at the box office.... full review

So-So, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah are absolutely riveting as the Senior Mehras. Anil brings a natural pomposity to Kamal, and walks away with the film’s funniest moments. Watch how he reacts with utter surprise when a business rival gingerly makes a proposition that he’d all along orchestrated himself. Shefali, for her part, brings emotional heft. It’s hard not to connect with her character when, in a heartbreaking act of rebellion, she practically chokes herself on desserts. It’s a deeply affecting moment and one that you’ll wish the camera had stayed longer on, allowing us to take in the full extent of her misery.... full review

So-So, by Ananya Bhattacharya, india today : ...In all, Dil Dhadakne Do demands a lot of patience and stifling of yawns on the viewer's part. Zoya Akhtar tells her simple tale well, but weighs it down with too many relationships and too much of drama. So much so, that after a point, you're no longer interested in the goings-on in front of you. Watch it for the ensemble cast. And of course, Ranveer-Anushka.... full review

So-So, by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint : ...Still, I’m sure there will be plenty of viewers happy enough to see beautiful people visit beautiful places and engage with problems that they think are earth-shattering but are actually depressingly commonplace. ... full review

So-So, by Namrata Joshi, Outlook India : ...A couple of men turn out as interesting, be it an embattled rich man Kamal Mehra (Anil) or the son and the heir Kabir (Ranveer), who wants to fly planes rather than wallowing in the family business. It only helps that the entire cast is in fine fettle, specially the likeable, energetic Ranveer, the rock-solid Anil and Shefali and Priyanka and Anushka.... full review

So-So, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadakne Do unravels like an entire season of soap opera condensed into a nearly three-hour movie that observes the clichés surrounding the affluent through wit and warmth but is, ultimately, too facile to rise above the charming fluff. ... full review

So-So, by ANUJ KUMAR, The Hindu : ...It may not have been her original choice but Zoya’s ensemble cast keeps the narrative flowing even in choppy waters. Anil Kapoor is an absolute delight as the self-obsessed and manipulative Kamal Mehra and he is ably supported by Shefali Shah as the ostrich wife, who ignores being getting ignored. But the film belongs to Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh and they excel as siblings who stand for each other. For once Ranveer channelises his energy well and Priyanka goes beyond the pout to embrace a character that every much like the film is a gorgeous cross between stupid and smart.... full review

Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Having said that, Zoya never made a film keeping in mind the viewers out of the multiplex culture before and this isn’t an exception to her set followed (secure) path either. However for me, Ranveer and Anil were the only two life-boats in this big sinking ship full of great performers, which can also be rated as the weakest movie till date from director Zoya Akhtar.... full review

Thumbs down, by Krish Sripada, Desi Martini : ...Too much funda, too little substance, too many stereotypes!... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Yawn! Dil Dhadakne Do is a snoozefest and a surefire cure for insomnia.... full review

107 tweeters(?) - 78 yays 7 so-so 22 nays

yaymini: Dil dhadakne do works cos of the nuances in the family and characters. Fun watch!

vandhnababu: Dil dhadakne do is good fun.. But why such a teensie weensie role @FarOutAkhtar

vaishalisoni96: Dil Dhadakne Do is one hell of a movie. Definite watch

UdayPratapSingh: Saw Dil Dhadakne Do @DDDTheFilm at the IIFA screening yesterday! Really enjoyed it! Brilliant direction and great acting by the entire cast!

twit2ram: Dil Dhadakne Do ...refreshing and fun movie with some amazing lines and performances @FarOutAkhtar and Zoya - Take a Bow ! #MustWatch

toxicsunny: Dil Dhadakne Do... Again

tiasha2300: Incredible performance in dil dhadakne do...well done guys@FarOutAkhtar@priyankachopra

thesaurabh: Let me tell you this, Dil Dhadakne Do is brilliant.

ThatFilmyGirl: Watched Dil Dhadakne Do ! Loveeeedddd @RanveerOfficial

ssshyammm: #dil dhadakne do #superb #full2masti https://t.co/rEzgGBO8rv

Spicysangria: Loved Dil Dhadakne Do! Superb family drama ! Ranveer Singh is amazing so is Anil Kapoor both play their characters fantastically

snhmrl23: Dil Dhadakne Do. Do not miss.

simranxgujral: dil dhadakne do is such a good movie.

shrutisus: Dil dhadakne do was amazing. Loved it, especially Ranvir. He was the life of the movie and rah

ShonaArora4: Dil Dhadakne do...❤

shlokes: The best, most happy-making thing you could do this weekend is watch Zoya Akhtar's new movie, Dil Dhadakne Do: http://popculturescribe.blogspot.com/2015/06/dil-dhadakne-do-cruise-of-lifetime.html

shaveeeena: Dil Dhadakne Do was incredibly awesome! @priyankachopra 's acting was on top of the world! @TeamPriyanka

ShahzebHajiani: Dil Dhadakne Do was a really fun movie

Shahana_Islam: dil dhadakne do has become my favorite movie right next kuch kuch hota hai☺️

saypaneer: wow...wat a film..dil dhadakne do..ranveer singh awesome as always!!

RDSampson_25: Watched Dil Dhadakne Do. Was a pretty good film. Well done @DDDTheFilm #DDD

RanveersCafe69: Subtle. Classy. And very funny with superb performances - this is how we would like to describe Dil Dhadakne Do in short. - Films of India

RakhiMhatre: Dil Dhadakne Do!!!!!!!!!! So danm awsome movie. :-*

rajivvijayakar: My review—thoroughly enjoyed & can repeat #DilDhadakneDo.Isn't that what films are for? @priyankachopra http://t.co/01FJDSvS28

rahulbobde1: Dil dhadakne do... Superb movie gayzz..

rabzA_95: Story of my life... Dil Dhadakne Do ✌

pyllehs: Dil Dhadakne Do was amazing. @RanveerOfficial now has my heart.

PsuedoSadist: Dil Dhadakne Do, is a decent, feel-good movie :)

prashant_dracus: Dil Dhadakne Do!! An absolutely wonderful and refreshing movie!!

Pooja0903: Loved Dil Dhadakne Do .. What fun moments and dialogues ❤️❤️!

PeeCeeLoverz: Movie Review: Dil Dhadakne Do: Its the perfect exotic weekend getaway

pbkulkarni: "Dil Dhadakne Do" happened :-) Amazing movie... (@ City Pride in Pune, Maharashtra) https://t.co/DA4KqjLRIm

payely: #dil #dhadakne #do :D :D

parth9714823847: Dil dhadakne do is very nice movie.

pakistella: Dil Dhadakne Do was so good

NewGirlinACity: It's a must watch! Miss any film this year except for this one!! #DilDhadakneDe http://newgirlinacity.com/2015/06/06/dil-dhadakne-do-film-review

Neerusabharwal: Dil Dhadakne do a must watch film...

navvyB: My review of Dil Dhadakne Do Movie: I don't know where to start. This movie is brilliant. The story is little... https://www.facebook.com/NavjyotBandiwadekar/posts/10153480547914095

NaazRanbir_xx: Dil Dhadakne Do! Amazing! Mind blowing! Fantastic!

mst5feh: Dil Dhadakne Do was amazing

moushmimerchant: "DIL DHADAKNE DO" vry fresh,young,fun and entertainment movie....the AKHTARS soon will be ruling the Bollywood

misssmileyy_: Dil Dhadakne Do was so good!!!

MihirRavani: Saw Dil Dhadakne Do yesterday. Actually managed to catch a film after a long time. And it was refreshing! A really good film..

mghouri9: Dil Dhadakne Do..simply amazing @priyankachopra @RanveerOfficial @AnushkaSharma best movie I've seen in such a long time

meghatron2020: Dil Dhadakne Do so good tho, plus ranveer

mdabusarwar786: #Dil_Dhadakne_Do a fantastic movie by Zoya Akhtar. Loved it.

MahreenL: Loving every part of Dil Dhadakne Do! And @RanveerOfficial is

maahin: Really, really enjoyed Dil Dhadakne Do. I can see that it might not be everyone's thing, but its a brilliantly made film.

lu_piku: mission "dil dhadakne do" :)

joysankar_IND: Dil Dhadakne Do: One Super Fun Cruise: Director Zoya Akhtar is back with yet another enlightening entertainer ... http://www.hourdose.com/dil-dhadakne-do-one-super-fun-cruise/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

JasmenFakhri: Rock on ZNMD BMB aur ab Dil Dhadakne Do ,Farahano ROCKS

Jaf_K7: #DDD Dil Dhadakne Do..! Awesome movie full family package.. :) and @RanveerOfficial just gave a performance of his success story.. <3

iamrupadutta: Dil Dhadakne do very sophisticat class family melodrama.go watch it. You will love it for sure. Zoya you rocks again

hungryheels: Dil Dhadakne Do was good. Bollywood is lucky to have a talented director like Zoya Akhtar. Finally a Bollywood movie with bearable clothing!

GuptRogue: Verdict on Dil Dhadakne Do: Go watch! Hilarious hai. And Priyanka Chopra is so bloody hot it's unbelievable.

GarimaPatel5: ON A SIDE NOTE: EVERYONE STOP EVERYTHING AND GO WATCH DIL DHADAKNE DO CUZ ITS LITERALLY THE BEST THING EVER.

farahcamel: Everyone please go watch dil dhadakne do!! Best Bollywood movie in a long time

dhruvmalik01: Go watch Dil Dhadakne Do.

dey_indu: Awesome movie dil dhadakne do both actors r fav rocks cheers

Delhi_Bwoy: Loved Dil Dhadakne Do. Zoya Akhtar is a hugely talented filmmaker. Superlative dialogue writing by Farhan Akhtar. What a movie!

Darshita_MUFC: Everyone do take ur parents to watch Dil Dhadakne do ;)

bollywoodmv: Just watched Dil Dhadakne Do would give it 8/10 stars. It was really funny and good but the ending was abrupt.

bhuvvii: #Dil Dhadakne Do is a nice movie .some great performances & most important superb dialogues...#DDDTheFilm @FarOutAkhtar @priyankachopra

BeingChandler__: Watch Dil Dhadakne Do for one of the finest work done by Anil Kapoor.

BaeBaePink: Dil Dhadakne Do. The music and aura still in my mind. Its a really mushy, emotional virtual delight.. go catch this weekend. u ll lovein it.

BadassNemesis: Absolutely loved Dil Dhadakne Do .. I can watch it again.. Superb!

aymanmuraj: Ahh just watched dil dhadakne do!

aunewse: http://au.usnewsapp.com/post/120827419841?utm_content=buffer5a234&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Dil Dhadakne Do - Pulsates With Fine Performances #DilDhadakneDo Dil Dhadakne Do - Pulsates W… http://twitter.com/aunewse/status/607051831605370880/photo/1

aslibollywood_: dil dhadakne do was amazing!! @AnilKapoor @RanveerOfficial @AnushkaSharma @priyankachopra @FarOutAkhtar were all amazing

arvi4137: Still can't get over all the laughs from DIL DHADAKNE DO

Arcothesis: Dil Dhadakne Do was amazing wow.

aNuShaNanavati: Loved the movie Dil Dhadakne Do! "live the way you want , be happy and don't bother about what people will think about you ,it's ur life"

ankitgoel87: Seen DIL DHADAKNE DO last nighr..and it was awesome with a hidden message

aneesinha: It's all about family and relations n those who value ...is a must watch #Dil Dhadakne Do...

allthelovehoran: Dil Dhadakne Do is hilarious. Best movie I've watched in a while.

aashika28: Watched dil dhadakne do ... awesome movie D best sibling love shown on screen.. mehras as a family were worst nd best all at d same time..

_ZaiKhan: Every desi family needs to see Dil Dhadakne Do. Made my top 5.

_ashupatil: Wow Dil Dhadakne Do..... again

Shailza: Except for Anil Kapoor's fake tee shot at the beginning, Dil Dhadakne Do is not a bad movie.

on1stmarch: OKAY SO I WATCHED DIL DHADAKNE DO AND ITS OKAY LIKE ITS CUTE BUT NOT THAT GOOD BUT ITS NICE. WORTH A WATCH.

nishith_pandya: Dil Dhadakne Do wasn't bad. Most of the movie was watchable except for the last ten mins which were retarded.

KJ115: Dil Dhadakne Do...wasn't as bad as some people made it seem!

itzAarush: Dil dhadakne do is zoya's weakest movie, even though the concept of the movie was superb. Overall a decent watch.

f_oxymoron: Dil dhadakne do is breezy, has its moments, drags a bit in the first half but all in all, a one time watch.

Aarozga: Dil Dhadakne do is rather decent

vinstar4444: Watched Dil dhadakne do. 2nd half mein neend hi aa gayi.

SujitPatel99: Dil Dhadakne Do. Shit movie. Up next: Tanu Weds Manu Returns. Hoping it's much better.

saumya1230: Dil Dhadakne Do a major disappointment. Not worth paying for. Strongly not recommended!

sanyamagrawal01: 'Dil Dhadakne Do' would make you laugh & cry. Laugh at your decision to go & watch the movie, Cry for your wallet getting ₹200 lighter

SanjayGMusafir: Dil Dhadakne Do - Bore, Slow Movie

pv030: Dil dhadakne do Most boring movie of this year :-\ @priyankachopra @RahulBose1 @FarOutAkhtar @RanveerOfficial Iska sequel mat banana pls.

preetikareddy: Dil Dhadakne Do. Worth a miss.

misspensive: #dil dhadakne do...so boring

LeftOverWoman: Troll me all you want but I feel Dil Dhadakne Do is Zoya Akhtar's worst film till date.

KaminaPun: kyaa bhasand boring movie banai hai Dil Dhadakne Do.

jaysolanki: Dil Dhadakne Do is so thanda as if the cruise were around Antartica #Overrated

imbeliever: 2 ways to harass yourself this weekend : 1. Eat 1 cupful of Maggi 2. Go and watch Dil Dhadakne Do! Feeling Yuck at Fun Cinemas.

desidalek: Looks like they ran out of money in the end, what an awful ending. #DDD Dil Dhadakne Do

DapinderSingh6: Dil dhadakne do .. what a torture.. :(

bisprad: Very difficult to feel sorry for the super rich Mehras in Dil Dhadakne Do. Just lot of fluff and not even token substance

BeingSKShahnaz: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara >>>>> Dil Dhadakne Do....ZNMD much much much bttr film than DDD!!

Bangobondhu: "Dil Dhadakne do" what serious shit of a movie. Bollywood script and storytelling gets worse by the day.

BabaBakChod: Please don't go for Dil Dhadakne Do. Because it's a film about rich people's problems.

anuraagtrivedi: Dil Dhadakne Do....a galactically stupid movie, total waste of time !!!

amdavadi: Do yourself a favor... Do NOT watch Dil Dhadakne Do... Atrocious film

Ambalika4u: Dil Dhadakne Do review: Zoya Akhtar one of Bollywood's finest, but the film is shallow - When a camera does... https://www.tumblr.com/Z5j4Kk1mYH-wv

alicewandering_: Dil dhadakne do is the worst movie ever man. @FarOutAkhtar

7 readers - 2 yays 4 so-so 1 nays

Not Interested in Watching, by raj

Want to Watch, by TimELiebe : More Like a "Maybe Want to Watch"...?

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Ajay Jindal : Go watch it and enjoy it....albeit ONCE.

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Fan

So-So, by Der Samurai

So-So, by Ivo dhyan : low on comedy, high on drama, everyone should go on a cruise atleast once!

So-So, by Murtaza Ali : Dil Dhadakne Do is essentially about rich people, their extravagant lives, and scandalous affairs

So-So, by Suman

Nay! Thumbs Down, by Anuj

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: None
  • Language: Clean
  • Nudity & Sexual content: A couple of liplocks. Sex is suggested. Pre-marital sex, casual sex, extra marital sex referred to. One scene with a woman taking off her top. No other sexual content shown explicitly.
  • Concept: Problems of an urban Indian family.
  • General Look and Feel: Rich.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction:
Story:
Lead Actors:
Character Artists:
Dialogues:
Screenplay:
Music Director:
Lyrics:

Comments (34)

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Fan

Well, if you are going to let your 11 year old daughter watch this one, then you are not adhering to your rating of "even the keen wait for the DVD"

;-)

Just kidding, don't take it seriously. Dil Dhadakne Do.

@Fan I didn't say I'll let her watch it in the theater :P Not to mention that not all readers go by my ratings - even if I gave birth to them. :D :D :D

Fan

:-)

If she is keen on theater then let her watch it on big screen. I always believe that if a movie has to be seen, then it is best enjoyed on big screen. Yes, expensive affair compared to DVD - but much richer (in abstrac sense) experience.

Yes sir/ma'am!

Given Priyanka Chopra's the Celebrity Spokeperson/Chairperson of Girl Up!, a UN organization empowering young women, maybe she did this to show how even successful women can get pushed around by men, as a sort of "teaching moment"? (That was kind of great for us in the US who knew who she was, and saw an Indian actress/model chosen for a feminist NGO over the usual American or British one.) Admittedly, now that she's starring on an American television series, Quantico, I guess fewer people over here will ask "Who's Pri-YANK-a Chopra, anyway...?"

Anuj

Yet another rich film shot in exotic locations with a wafer thin story line and humor that mainly caters to the elitist diaspora. Yeah, it will make its profits just as ZNMD did thanks to the "Gold Class" audiences. But frankly, Hindi cinema needs a lot more of Baby's, Badlapur's, Piku's and Tanu Weds Manu's than these sugar coated piles of trash!

Fan

@Anuj : changing your stance from this movie will be a flop to this movie will make money like ZNMD?

Fan

The theatre where I watched it had 100% occupancy. Majority of crowd were youngsters. And they were constantly in splits, though i personally found only a few genuinely funny scenes.

Let me break this "rich" and "dysfunctional" tag. They are as average a family as any family. Such relations and such generational or other gaps happen in every family, case in hand Tanu and her family. I have yet to find a guy anywhere in the world who doesn't have issues with his dad.

Performance wise: superlative from Shefali, guaranteed nominations for the best supporting actress. Very ably supported by Anil Kapoor as the loud millionaire Punjabi, Ranveer as the brat and Priyanka as the sibling. Full marks to all of them. Rahul Bose is top notch too making us hate him as much as his on screen wife hates him.

Meetu's question about being unable to comprehend why a modern and commercially successful Priyanka is shown cowering in front of the family is a valid question. Even Farhan says it so at one point that how could a smart girl like you be so idiotic (or something similar)?

Verdict? Surely a hit with metro and multiplex crowd. Movie is made for that target audience and it delivers on the expectations.

Where is it in reference to ZNMD? For me ZNMD is still better than D3.

Enjoy. Don't curb your instinct, Dil Dhadakne Do.

Anuj

@Fan : ZNMD in itself was barely a partial hit and just about saved its ass courtesy the sons and daughters of rich urban Indians who're fantasizing about the American and European dream. It was a movie with a wafer thin plot and just a few genuinely funny gags to make it a reasonable watch. As for DDD, the mediocre film-maker that she is, Zoya's desperate attempt at portraying a bankrupt family in order to get rich of the "rich" factor in the film will not change the fact that this is yet another silly film about silly urban middle class Indians with firang ambitions and lollypops in their mouth. DDD for all its fan following among dumb college goers whose idea of entertainment is watching a noobish couple sleep around with multiple partners before they realize that their "tastes" are suitable only for one another, will at best be an Average to Above Average affair at the box office. If an average film-maker like Zoya alongside her high on dope pal Reema Kagti really want genuine inspiration on making urban family entertainers, they need to take a cue out of films like Piku or even Farhan's very own DCH. Else make mass entertainers like TWMR which are adored by single screens and multiplexes alike. Purposeless movies like DDD are neither here nor there, just like the entire cast and crew of the film starting with the extinguished star Anil Kapoor whose worst nightmare in life is that he's soon gonna be a senior citizen.

rajesh

I fully agree with Anuj. Although i have not watched D3, i found ZNMD too sugary & fake.

Anuj

In the middle of all this, Aamir's/Raju Hirani's all time blockbuster PKcontinues to smash records left right and center, the latest one being the $20 million first week collection in China. It has crossed INR 700 cr worldwide and shows no signs of stopping. With multiples markets left to be explored over the next year or so, and considering the fact that its being loved, adored and appreciated the world over, this might be the first Indian movie to clock 1000 cr worldwide. 2 minutes silence for those who gave it a thumbs down :P

Gokul

@Anuj Dude why the hate???Zoya's target audience are the urban youngsters and they are liking it.Bhai makes movies for people who like to watch him on the screen and Zoya makes movies for people who like good looking people having a fun time in picturesque locations.

Anuj

@Gokul : Yes. And another similarity between bhai and Zoya is that both of disappoint on most occasions with the only exceptions being Wanted/Dabangg and Luck By Chance (Zoya's most grounded movie thus far)

Anuj

@Gokul : Did u just put Anil Kapoor, Rahul Bose & Ranveer Singh in the category of "good looking people"? :D

Suman

Direction: 2
Story: 1.5
Lead Actors: 3
Character Artists: 2

Dialogues: 2.5
Screenplay: 1.5
Music Director: 1
Lyrics: 0.5

Murtaza Ali

My thoughts on the movie...

Dil Dhadakne Do is essentially about rich people, their extravagant lives, scandalous affairs, and the problems that surround them. Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar must have had the Indian diaspora in their minds while devising the movie’s script. Many major production houses are still sticking to the time-tested formula of making films that cater to the Anglophonic tastes of the ever expanding urban middleclass. Dil Dhadakne Do too is targeted towards the very class of audience.

Dil Dhadakne Do brings to the fore the issue of marital incompatibility between partners. It’s a topic that’s seldom been touched upon in Hindi films. Even the modern Indian families haven’t yet fully come to terms with the important issue of gender equality. Yes, the women certainly have greater liberty but they still don’t enjoy the equality that’s associated with the fairer sex in the western societies. For all important matters (like marriage, family planning, work, etc.) the females must seek permission from their fathers/husbands. And then there’s this childish fascination for a male heir to take forward the family legacy.

Dil Dhadakne Do comes across as a breath of fresh air with a rainbow of touching performances. But, the movie could have been much more than a clichéd melodramatic family affair had the makers given greater importance to storytelling than merely trying to accommodate a stellar ensemble cast in the screenplay. The movie can be watched for the performances and the scenic locations (although the movie proves to quite underwhelming even in this department, especially when compared to Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara). Dil Dhadakne Do certainly lacks a universal appeal, and while it will best be appreciated by the Anglophone urban audience, anyway who is not particularly uninterested in rich people's problems can afford to give it a try.

The full review can be read here:

http://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/2015/06/dil-dhadakne-do-2015-zoya-akhtars.html

Anuj

Okay so how many times have we heard of rich pot bellied Punjabi businessmen for whom every relationship is a 'deal'? How many times have we heard of brooding wives of these rich businessmen who have no work in life except kitty partying and bitching behind backs? How many times have we heard of a smart, intellectual & intelligent woman with brilliant business acumen being forced to live a submissive life and dancing to her hubby's tunes? How many times have we seen a dominating and detestable husband for whom the definition of a wife is one whose a baby producing machine? (The most frustrating part is to watch actors such as Priyanka & Rahul Bose play such characters). How many times have we seen a lazy good for nothing son of a wealthy businessman falling for a cabaret dancer well below the economic strata of his family?

DDD reinstates every damn stereotype in the most boring, detestable and hypocritical way u can ever imagine. This one's a turkey even by Zoya and Kagti's mediocre standards!

Anuj

Here's my review :

http://thesimplemoviereviewer.blogspot.in/2015/06/dil-dhadakne-do-reinstating-stereotypes.html

Ivo dhyan

Theres a nice flow to your review. Agree with the telling not showing problem in the movie. Movies tend to be enjoyable when they show. But they went the honeymoon travels way.
Another issue i felt was that the characters take time to react to each other, which need not be the case. Also some scenes drag on a bit. Could be a reason for slight increase in length.

I liked watching anil kapoors sincere performance and do think a much better script - with well thought out lead characters- went a bit astray during execution.

Fan

"Its gonna be rejected by even the plex audiences for whom it is targeted."

This one's anything but rejected by the plex audience.

For once even Anuj got it entirely wrong. That is the danger of predicting a film's fate even before it is released.

Anuj

@Fan : 36 cr in 3 days. BIG DEAL!! This one will not even hit 100. Even the collections are concentrated towards just 3-4 metropolitan cities. Its got a cost which is twice that of TWM-2 (which is gonna run close to 150) and will be an Above Average grosser at best. So much for the breath of fresh air (read rich air) called Zoya Akhtar.

Anuj

Even ZNMD had a modest beginning but did reasonably well in the final tally thanks to its fantastic word of mouth. Unfortunately, neither is DDD as funny nor as deep as ZNMD (which in itself was just an above average movie at best). DDD is just a wealthy man's solidified waste coupled with some wine. Zoya needs to watch PIKU a few times before attempting a realistic meaningful movie on urban family relationships the next time around.

Thank you @Ivo.

Anuj

"I liked watching anil kapoors sincere performance and do think a much better script - with well thought out lead characters- went a bit astray during execution." ~ perfectly summarized. Unfortunately, script and plot is something we rarely witness in Akhtar sibling productions (with DCH, Lakshya & Luck By chance being the only exceptions).

@Meeta : What do u think of my review for this movie? :P

@Anuj Well, I didn't read it.

Anuj

56 cr in week 1. 80-90 cr lifetime collections. Verdict - AVERAGE. Fail !

As a layman what do you expect from a movie. One that gives you something to laugh about, basic cleanliness in terms of skin show, better than average acting and if possible some message. If yes then the movie surely has all of this. In fact the most disappointing factor is music.
Shefali's performance for me was by far the best and Ranvir followed brilliantly. Anil Kapoor must have done some effort to look old as he is simply a GEM.
All in all the movie deserves one time watch. Some cinematic liberty has to be given or else a real life and movie will resemble just too much.
Good work.

ehinome okojie

This film's first weekeng in the US is greater than Jai Ho's lifetime.

Anuj

When you make a film with as limited a target audience as ZNMD or DDD, its important for the film to have a 70%+ word of mouth among that limited target audience for it to perform well at the box office & have a good theatrical run. Both ZNMD and DDD are mainly catering to the audiences frequenting the high end premium multiplexes of metropolitan & semi-metropolitan cities. ZNMD had an 80%+ word of mouth among the multiplex audiences of metros and hence ran for weeks together in the high end multiplexes of metropolitan cities thereby collecting 90cr+ in 2011 (would be around 130cr in today’s times if adjusted for ticket prices) and thereby became a HIT. DDD unfortunately has carried just a 50% word of mouth among the audiences of these very multiplexes and hence will end up with just about an 80cr lifetime figure thereby just about saving itself from becoming a FLOP. Its evident that this formula of mushy films shot in exotic locations and portraying the lives of ultra rich urban Indians is well past its sell by date.

Fan

"portraying the lives of ultra rich urban Indians is well past its sell by date."

There are very few films that come to mind over the past 5 years that portray the lives of ultra rich Indians. Yes ZNMD is one of them. But beyond that I really have to scratch my head to think of some other names.

So with 2 movies we could not say that the sell by date has been passed.

The genre of films for which the sell by date has really passed are the Singham type of films. Whereas Singham (coincidentally released just a week after ZNMD)was something new - its success saw so many similar films that now they don't entertain at all. Unless they are of a calibre par excellence.

Anuj

@Fan : Please explain the disastrous second week collections of DDD and its near empty audi's even in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Bangalore that too in only its second week! Contrast this with Queen last year or Kahaani in 2012 or ZNMD in 2011 which ran housefull in multiplexes even in their 3rd/4th and 5th weeks.

Fan

Anuj : there are many reasons for a film's performance. All i am saying is that with 2 movies in past 5 years on the ultra rich class, of which one is a certified hit, it's premature to come to the conclusion that the formula has run its course.

@Fan Agree. Even I can't think of too many films about the urban class. Maybe aristocracy is addressed and even the fashion/film industry, or some times even businessmen. But that's not the same, right?

Anuj

Most of this so-called parallel cinema that mediocrity like Ranveer Shorey,Rahul Bose,Rajat Kapoor etc have been dishing out for over a decade now is nothing but "rich man's cinema" or if I may say, "intellectual's cinema" which the likes of Akhtar siblings and Reema Kagti have made on a more elaborate scale. Neither is the audience interested in watching the former, nor the latter. If at all we get parallel cinema, we need more of Wednesday and Jolly LLB which all sections of the audiences can relate to on a regular basis.

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