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  • Amit Jadhav

Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat (2023) Movie Review: Love Story That Almost Worked



Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written and directed by Anurag Kashyap. The film stars Alaya F and Karan Mehta in dual roles, along with Vicky Kaushal as DJ Mohabbat. The film tells two parallel stories, one set in Dalhousie, India, and the other set in London, UK. Both stories follow a young couple who are grappling with societal pressures, parental opposition, and attendant patriarchy.


In the Dalhousie story, Amrita (Alaya) and Yakub (Mehta) are two young people from different religious backgrounds who fall in love. However, their relationship is met with opposition from their families and the community. Amrita and Yakub decide to run away together to attend a concert by DJ Mohabbat, a popular radio host who preaches love and acceptance.


In the London story, Ayesha (Alaya) is a wealthy and privileged girl who falls in love with Harmeet (Mehta), a working-class musician. However, Ayesha's parents do not approve of their relationship due to Harmeet's social class. Ayesha and Harmeet try to defy their parents, but they face many challenges along the way.


Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat is a complex and ambitious film that deals with a variety of important social issues, including religious intolerance, caste discrimination, and class inequality. Kashyap's screenplay is sharp and insightful, and he does a masterful job of juxtaposing the two parallel stories.


The film's performances are also top-notch. Alaya F and Karan Mehta are both excellent in their dual roles. They bring a lot of energy and charisma to their characters. Vicky Kaushal is also good in his supporting role as DJ Mohabbat.


However, the film is not without its flaws. The pacing is uneven at times, and some of the subplots feel underdeveloped. Additionally, the film's ending is somewhat ambiguous, which may leave some viewers feeling dissatisfied.


Overall, Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat is a well-made and thought-provoking film that is worth watching. It is a must-watch for fans of Anurag Kashyap's work, as well as anyone who is interested in Indian cinema that explores social issues.

 

Analysis of the film's themes

One of the central themes of Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat is the power of love to overcome societal barriers. The film shows how love can transcend religious differences, caste divisions, and class inequality. Another important theme of the film is the importance of individuality and self-expression. The film's protagonists are all young people who are trying to find their own place in the world and live their lives on their own terms. They are all rebelling against the expectations of their families and society.


The film also explores the theme of the impact of social media on the youth. The film's protagonists are all heavily influenced by social media, and they use it to express themselves and connect with others. However, the film also shows the negative side of social media, such as the spread of misinformation and the promotion of unrealistic standards of beauty.

 

Conclusion

Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat is a complex and ambitious film that deals with a variety of important social issues. It is a well-made and thought-provoking film that is worth watching.

 

Here are some specific things that I liked and disliked about the film:

Liked:

  • The performances of Alaya F and Karan Mehta are both excellent.

  • The film is visually stunning, with some beautiful cinematography.

  • The film's commentary on the current state of India is relevant and important.


Disliked:

  • The film's pacing is uneven and the tone is inconsistent.

  • The film has some melodramatic moments and some of the subplots are underdeveloped.

  • The film's ending is somewhat ambiguous and unsatisfying.


Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 out of 5 stars

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