The much-awaited Deepika Padukone starrer Gehraiyaan released on Amazon Prime February 11.
Directed by Shakun Batra, the plot is pegged on relationships and their complexities. Love, lies, deceit and betrayal are entwined in a layered script and each character does justice to the respective role essayed. The film relates to modern day life and its need for love, companionship and sexual compatibility.
There are four protagonists in the plot. Deepika Padukone plays Alisha, a yoga instructor in a live-in relationship with Karan, essayed brilliantly by Dhairya Karwa. Then, there is Tia (Ananya Pandey), Alisha’s cousin, a bubble young thing just back from a college stint in the US. She is engaged to an affluent real estate businessman, Zain (Siddhant Chaturvedi). Essential cameos are beautifully delivered by Naseeruddin Shah and Rajat Kapoor.
Reasons to dive deep into Gehraiyaan:
Beyond Adultery: The story is not just about carnal pleasures in an extra-marital situation but about the intrinsic connect that drives two people together. Adultery, individualism, ambition, love, intimacy, self-love and past trauma are dealt with in a realistic fashion rather than judgmental. Kudos to intimacy director Dar Gai for lovemaking scenes that are anything but cheap titillation.
Different Take: Co-written by Sumit Roya, Yash Sahai and Ayesha Devitrem, the bold subject talks of modern-day romance between two consenting adults. With the courage to take on adultery, Gehraiyaan cross examines betrayal in various lights.
Deepika Padukone: Alisha is a master act of several characters earlier essayed by the competent actor: Mastani, Piku, Leela, Naina She is the crux of this story and does a fabulous job. The range of emotions she carries deserves applause. Newcomer Dhairya Karwa does a great job juggling passions while Ananya Panday is reason to watch out for.
Relatable: Gehrayiaan is something people can relate to… even if not all the way through. Siddhant as Zain does a splendid job and despite limited presence on screen, remains the “drive” behind the plot.
Even though director Karan Johar tried the same dilemma in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006), he was unable to reel the various emotions that go into a couple’s space being a hollow void that pushes some into looking elsewhere. KANK ended up a flop because of its judgmental tone and stress on exuberance. Batra scores in her underplaying settings on letting emotions take the centrestage.
