Dhadak, we know, has been in controversy since the time it was announced. The fact that it was a remake of a much-appreciated movie, Sairat, didn’t go down well with many and adding fuel to the fire was that it was to be led by two star kids fresh off the block.
However, let’s look at this objectively sans any comparison to its Marathi counterpart.
Here are the main points that made me feel why Dhadak made a mark in my mind.
- The alluring backdrops of ‘Venice of the East- Udaipur’ and ‘The Gateway of Eastern India- Kolkata’ were quite spellbinding. The film showed two different hues and their charm through different emotions. A young love blossoming and the battle against love was aptly placed in Udaipur while the crowd embedded city of Kolkata where they struggle to live showed a gritty reality of life in the metros, ugly and grimy.
- Also, the leads – Ishaan Khattar and Janhvi Kapoor – are packets of talents that spurts every scene they are in. Although Ishaan shines through the first half, you end up leaving the theatre with Janhvi in your mind. Her vulnerability contrasting to Ishaan’s spunk makes them a perfect pairing. Their friendship is visible in the frames they are together. Both of them have a lot to learn, but if this is what they are starting with, then the road is going to be much more exciting than we would have thought.
- The look of Dhadak was clear, so to speak. The photography added more shade to the love story with their huge palaces, crystal-clear waters, in the backdrop of Rajasthani cultures (like the fair where the actors met face to face), the bright outfits and the unmissable Rajasthani dialect. On the other hand, Kolkata’s vibrant crowd with shades of history, culture, food, people and language filled every shot and added the cherry to the cake.
- A kind mention to the costumes through which the lively spirit of the Mewari people was evident. Bright and fresh shades beautifully captured in Janhvi’s looks. A lot of purples, pinks, and reds were used for her outfits mostly made of fine cotton and are highlighted with Mothra, Laharia and Chunari prints. Be it bandhani printed dupatta along with block print Kurtis or Bandhej ghagra cholis, her outfits depict the real essence of Rajasthani attire. It was tough to take my eyes off the white mirror-work lehenga.
- Denim paired with shirts along with Sadri and Nehru jackets seem to be the patent attire of Ishaan. Tie and dye and bagru block prints are used for his outfits. At certain scenes, he looked lovely in his printed jodhpurs with bold embroideries that flaunted Rajasthani taste. Both earlobes pierced with studs, sided parted hair portrayed Ishaan’s boyish charm.
- The direction from Shashank Khaitan was admiring, entertaining. He had the canvas ready, but he used different tones to draw a similar painting within a framework that will work nationally, and boy did he do a good job! Even though he glossed over the dark narratives of the lovers’ lives, he stuck to the feel of the movie without compromising on the glamour or the storyline. It was a movie made for a profit, and Shashank remained loyal to his viewers without compromising the story.
- The orchestral music of Ajay-Atul was memorable, to say the least. Ajay-Atul’s rhetorical notes and Bhattacharya’s reminiscent lyrics create a magic. Both Ajay Gogavale and Shreya Ghoshal’s vocals were extraordinary as they play up the emotion to hit the tone that the composition and lyrics aimed for. Even though the music was recycled from Sairat, Dhadak’s music did not miss the mark at all.
- Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics paint a pleasing imagery in every line, and Ajay-Atul does full justice to his imagination by lending his words the grace. Moreover, grabbing the tempo of the Jhingaat song worked wonders as it brought out more energy. The song stays back and probably will do so for many weeks to come.
Dhadak is a remake, but watching it as a standalone movie will take you to a time of old memories of young, passionate, colourful love. A love filled with equal amounts of fervour and tragedy.
