Film: Zara Hatke Zara Bachke

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan, Sharib Hashmi and ensemble

Director: Laxman Utekar

Rating: 3.5 Moons

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, starring Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan and directed by Laxman Utekar, is a simple, heartwarming and easy-on-the-brain drama that engages mostly. Set in Madhya Pradesh, it revolves around the lives of Kapil Dubey (Vicky Kaushal) and Somya Chawla Dubey (Sara Ali Khan). They’re married for two years but lack privacy. Kapil’s congested residence accommodates his maternal uncle, aunt and cousin along with his own family. Somya is desperate to move out and start her own family with Kapil. The process of finding a new house and finally getting it has a life-altering impact on the happily married couple’s dreams. 

Laxman Utekar, who has directed films like Luka Chuppi and Mimi, knows the pulse of his audience. He doesn’t target the elite and masses but the classes that form an important level in social strata. He brings alive the real world on celluloid with simplistic and sensitive storytelling. Wasting no time in setting the base but diving directly into the core matter. Day-to-day problems unexpectedly make for the greatest conflicts. That’s what Zara Hatke Zara Bachke follows. 

The film has hilarious dialogues, especially the conversations involving the little kid. Some of them land really well and can make the glummest person crack up. One of the most interesting characters is the lawyer played by Himanshu. He is uniquely and funnily annoying and does his job incredibly well. As the film progresses, several layers and unexpected situations are exposed, leaving Kapil and Somya in a dilemma.

There’s always a lot happening, screenplay-wise. It gets chaotic after a while. While Zara Hatke Zara Bachke balances emotions and humour, the loose ends cannot be ignored. Convenient conclusions to subplots, the same old drunk conversations and the extra-marital affair angle don’t do any good to the film. The twist, in the end, is unforeseen but abrupt. Unlike other films, the songs here don’t disturb the story flow.

Performance-wise, Vicky leads the film with his incredibly strong screen presence. His middle-class personality makes him the best choice for the role of Kapil. He is excellent in emotional scenes. Sara is good as Somya. She’s vibrant, strong, honest and mature. Sara excels in the role and her chemistry with Vicky is fresh. 

Sharib Hashmi as the Daroga is endearing as always. Owning the frame despite having a brief screen space, the actor leaves his impact. A longer role would have done justice to the powerhouse performer. Kanupriya Pandit is fantastic as the nagging mami. Neeraj Sood is fun to watch. Susmita Mukherjee and Rakesh Bedi's comic timing is delightful. Anubbhaa Fatehpuria and Akash Khurana as Kapil's parents are good too and so is Srishti Ganguli Rindani. 

The cinematography of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke helps the makers create the desired world. The music is good but apart from Phir Aur Kya Chahiye, no songs have recall value. The film is relatively short and sweet. It is a fun watch and will make you laugh and cry while feeling the tugs of love and realising the importance of a family and staying united despite odds. 

PeepingMoon gives Zara Hatke Zara Bachke 3.5 Moons