Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill
Akiv Ali
Comedy/Drama
2019-05-17
Hindi
3/5
Given Luv Ranjan always finds scripts in convoluted romances, this review deserves a disclaimer. I am not judging this film morally or even socially; I am just checking on the entertainment quo.
Lonesome Londoner, Ashish (Ajay Devgn) is at a bachelor party, a rare thing for a 50year old but subconsciously he seems to be aligning himself with the younger lot. What is a bachelor party without a stripper, there comes Ayesha (Rakul). For the evening entertainment, Ayesha not only dances but almost, albeit accidentally, breaks the poor would-be groom’s was-to-be marriage… the only recourse is to get a little drunk and forget all that happened. But Ayesha forgets to remove herself from Ashish’s house before getting drunk and falling asleep. In the morning, nothing happens… she is asked to leave. In a perfect ‘Kaun hai jisne Pooh ko palat ke nahi dekha’ moment, Ayesha decides she has to seduce Ashish. Success is inevitable when a woman is determined. So soon the rich old-ish man, finds himself a young, girlfriend.
Here on Akiv Ali (the director) starts the process of justification, calling the relationship only lust wouldn’t have worked for the stars so he makes sure the audience believes that it is LOVE between Ayesha and Ashish.
Since it is LOVE, Ashish decides to introduce Ayesha to his family in India. Did we forget to mention that Ashish is married, separated for 18 years but married…. He has two kids almost of Ayesha’s age and that his wife and kids are in very good terms with his parents…. Well, Ayesha figures it all out in India.
One look at the first wife, Manju (Tabu) you wonder why Ashish stayed away for 18 years. Of course, on second glance you see Ashish’s daughter, though her anger is understandable, she does annoy in the film. Of course, in a typical Luv Ranjan like scenario, Ashish’s son does get infatuated with Ayesha, but who wouldn’t. But despite all the confusion, the bitterness underneath it all, at the core, strives familiarity. The question thus turn out to be, will Ayesha manage to steer Ashish away from that?
It is obvious that all the three protagonists are struggling and yet there is a nimbleness in their step. As the movie progresses, all the fun and lightness starts dissipating. The situation starts getting a little serious. The laughter and punches in the dialogues start seeming forced.
Despite it all, the film’s greatest strength is its actors and they manage to hold the movie together for most of the film. Ajay Devgn can do self-depreciating humour better than most of his contemporaries. Using his strength, comedy - to the fullest – Ajay manages to make a misogynist script hilarious, at least in parts. To help him, there is his co-star Tabu. The two are fierce together, they manage to really make the best of a mediocre situation. In comparison, Rakul doesn’t fair badly and is effective. In supporting cast, Jimmy Shergill manages to bring a smile, as does Javed Jaffery but these are good actors and their impact is all their doing, not that of the script itself.
The best dialogues are those that are already shown in the trailers, other than those, so the rest of the humour in the film is second best to what we have already been exposed to. With such good actors, and so many situations, there could have been some rather fun moments, especially towards the end.. All and all, De De Pyar De is an alright kind of affair, entertaining in bits, but far from excellent. Better luck next time, Akiv!
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