Director: Shirsha Guha Thakurta
Cast: Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’cruz, Sendhil Ramamurty and others
Where: In theatres near you
Rating: 2.5 stars
Time and again, filmmakers have explored the subject of infidelity, some worked and some didn’t but it always seemed to be one of the most talked about topics. Ironically, a common phenomenon in the Indian society is framed to be a social taboo. Finding love outside marriage is not less than finding a soul in a decent written script. Debutante Shirsha Guha Thakurta, who primarily directed ads, marks her first attempt at a feature that is close enough to average.
Kavya/Kavs Ganeshan (Vidya Balan), a dentist by profession, belongs to a conservative South Indian family and Anirudh/Ani Banerjee (Pratik Gandhi), a stereotypical Bengali guy, an aspiring businessman, are married for 12 long years but their relationship hits the rock when the two get romantically involved with Vikram (Sendhil Ramamurthy) and Nora (Ileana D’cruz) respectively. Will Kavya and Anirudh return to their not-so-rosy marriage?
Shirsha’s film highlights the insecurities, complexities and modern day issues of an urban working couple, but is very limited to metro areas and suburban communities and culture. Her narrative is fresh in portions but the way the subject is tackled is tiring throughout. Seems like, she had nothing much to say beyond a point. Especially, her climax is pointless. It is understandable that an open ended story is soothing but Shirsha’s take on infidelity is very much on the surface.
Undeniably, it all lies in the writing for a subject like this, but since filmmakers today have obligations to be cool and make something palatable to the western influenced audience is really a great way to look at content. Back in 2006, Karan Johar told a similar story with a mammoth cast and till date, it is by far the most believable story. Even Silsila (1981) stirred conversations for its own way of dealing with the subject. However, Shirsha’s film might be in a slightly more realistic form but definitely lacks soul.
Although, the first-time director might have wanted to treat the subject with a lighthearted approach but again, one won’t feel for her characters at all. The film travels to the lanes of Mumbai and the surroundings of Ooty, that is somewhat the beauty of this over-glossy film.
Vidya Balan is undoubtedly one of the finest actors we have and this film is yet another reminder. She is lively, believable and pleasing as Kavya. Pratik as Ani is good but somewhere looks odd alongside Vidya. The two together look miscast, perhaps, Shirsha would have wanted that awkward pairing. Senthil and Ileana have nothing much to do but are watchable.
Do Aur Do Pyaar is an easy breezy affair but it’s certainly not the best portrayal of finding peace and solace outside a toxic, rather a silent, relationship. The film is completely an aimless one. You will find better suggestions on OTT to binge watch.
