Movie Review: Dilwale Completely Decimates Shah Rukh-Kajol Magic

Movie Review: Dilwale’s action is stale, the romance is fizz-less and the plot is a bit too predictable.

The poster of SRK-Kajol, Varun Dhawan-Kriti Sanon starrer Dilwale. (Photo Courtesy: Varun Dhawan’s Twitter Feed)

Today I write, not as a film critic but as a die-hard Shah Rukh fan. And so, I take this opportunity to share my very personal sense of betrayal and grief after having seen a film that made a mockery of my favourite star. Have I, an unsuspecting fan been tricked? Did my dear Shah Rukh get fooled too?

Looks like it.

Shah Rukh and Kajol on screen weave magic together. Be it DDLJ, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham – his dimples, her smile, their endearing chemistry and that infectious naughtiness ensures we can never quite have enough of them. So naturally, what could be better than the prospect of seeing our favourite jodi make another memorable appearance together. And so, in spite of Rohit Shetty and his absurd fixation with toppling cars, I went in for Dilwale.

Shah Rukh and Kajol play Kaali and Meera. They meet, fall in love, fight, and meet again only to part ways later. There is also Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon along with numerous odd and even numbered cars colliding with each other in mid-air. Rohit Shetty pretends to try and capitalise on the romance angle by shamelessly lifting scenes not just from DDLJ, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai but even Love Actually and How I Met Your Mother.

Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan before the release of Dilwale. (Photo: Yogen Shah)

The action is stale, the romance is fizz-less and the plot is predictable. Even Shetty’s trademark jumping jack cars fail to give us any thrill. Frankly, purely as a Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon film, Dilwale would have worked.

We could even have lapped up the infantile jokes and bizarre story, but how can we go in for a Shah Rukh–Kajol starrer with low expectations? Such blasphemy to even suggest it!

So, for the sake of Shah Rukh and Kajol and for the sake of our own undying love for our favourite stars, let’s forget that they were ever a part of such a lousy affair called Dilwale. Let’s pretend for our own mann ki shanti that they did not appear at all in this movie.

In spite of being an ardent SRK fan, I can give Dilwale no more than 2.5 QUINTS. It is so painfully average! Go for it if you are the “tolerant” type.

As for me, no self respecting Shah Rukh bhakt should make do with something so banal.

I’ll sign off with a small message for my beloved Khan.

A still of Kajol and Shah Rukh from Dilwale. (Photo: Red Chillies Entertainment)

Dear Shah Rukh,

Please go spend time with old pals Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra. This Rohit Shetty liaison has reached a dead end.

XOXO
Your loyal fan