- Date of Release: 13 October 2023
- Genre: Drama
- Language: Hindi
Dhak Dhak
Introduction
Onto the next release of the weekend but before that it is India who have emerged victorious against Pakistan in the epic clash. Congratulations to the team and hope we lift the coveted trophy this time! The dream is alive and kicking! With that, I finished watching the new Hindi film Dhak Dhak which is now available in a theatre near you. The first look of the film involving four women shown on a Bullet did generate a fair amount of curiosity in me. The picture in my head was that, this does seem to be a road movie and to have female leads would add another fresh layer to the genre. We often travel because we discover something new in ourselves, and to take that concept and weave it against the backdrop of females rising above oppression, would promise for a fascinating watch. But there were a few things that made me worry about the film as well in the events leading up to its theatrical release.
Dhak Dhak was not marketed at all, with the trailer of the film being released only days before its theatrical release. If the buzz around the film wasn’t already low, the producers decided to release the film on the weekend of the India Vs Pakistan clash at the ongoing ODI Cricket World Cup(can let this point pass given that it is a packed year ahead with all the new releases). But what baffled me was the limited screens which did run the film, and it made me wonder on whether the theatrical release was mainly for the OTT deal wherein the OTT platforms refuse to release their films directly to save on their marketing cost by encouraging the makers to go through the theatrical route. Lots of questions encompassed me as I ventured into Dhak Dhak, does it manage to impress….let’s find out.
Story & Screenplay
Dhak Dhak follows the story of four women from different walks of life who decide to ride on the highest motorable pass in what is a life altering event for them. The story here is well intended and definitely has its heart in the right place. The template did remind me of the recently released Hindi film Uunchai wherein a group of friends decide to climb the Everest in memory of their friend. While the motivating factor in Uunchai was friendship, here in Dhak Dhak, there is an underlying layer of oppression which is common to each of the four leads in different capacities that acts as a barrier for them to breach. The screenplay standing at about 140 minutes does have lags every now and then, but the writing does work in parts because of the strong emotional connect with the characters.
The drama opens with a road trip underway featuring the four protagonists, and instantly it sets the tone for the drama to follow. Soon, an elaborate flashback featuring each of the four protagonists does lay out the character traits of the characters while also focusing on the background of the four leads and the environment where they are brought up in. There is a searing undercurrent of oppression, both prevalent actively and passively, that combines the worlds together. The issue that I had though was that the writing doesn’t always maintain a grip on you, particularly in the first hour. There are consistent lags in the screenplay and that can be accounted for the editing which ought to have been tighter.
The proceedings are fairly decent and they work best when the road trip is underway. Some of the moments created(even in the flashback) are heartfelt and they make the drama compelling. But surely, there should have been more such moments along the way, particularly in the first hour that would have helped in maintaining a grip on the narrative. The easy going vibe though, does compliment the leisurely pace of the narrative with some humourous moments along the way. But things definitely get better in the second hour wherein the majority of the roadtrip takes place. The warm synergy between the leads does compliment the scenic views along the journey that definitely does result in a heartwarming watch while the drama also briefly touches upon the various issues that the characters are dealing with.
The writers do fairly well in the second hour to create moments that would eventually act as memories while balancing the idea of self discovery through a road trip. Yes, there are brief lags here as well but there is a sense of purpose and warmth to the drama. The events leading up to the final act are interesting but the one issue that I had here was in the manner of the resolution of a few issues which were simplistic. Yet, the philosophical tone of the drama in the final act was heartening and also reflective of the countless opportunities at the horizon provided you dream and brave it out. The messaging of the film does hit home too! Overall, the screenplay here is decent but definitely is well-intended while having its heart in the right place.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are majorly conversational and decently well penned. The music is a bit of a mixed bag, some songs go well with the mood of the drama but some fall flat. But the absence of a chartbuster hit was a part of the issue as well(remember Karwaan?). The BGM is decent as well trying to blend well with the vibe of the drama. The cinematography is wonderful, capturing some stunning frames featuring some breathtaking views along the way. The editing was definitely the minus point here, attributing to quite a few lags in the screenplay along the way. Some faster jump cuts may have resolved the problem while also editing out a few sequences completely. Director Tarun Dudeja does a good job here in creating some interesting bunch of characters and some heartfelt moments along the way. Yes, there are instances wherein the direction could have been a little better in the first hour with respect to creating the camaraderie between the characters, but overall the direction still isn’t bad. In fact, it is good!
Performances
The performances are splendid here by the ensemble cast. Poonam Gurung as the nun makes a mark in a small little role which was definitely impactful. Kallirroi Tziafeta as Martha exudes of a warm vibe and she is endearing and sincere in her performance. Sanjana Sanghi as Manjari has a good screen presence and she does hit the right notes with the emotions. If there is one aspect that she could work on, then it is the pronunciation of the words that she speaks. Dia Mirza as Uzma is charming and has such a pleasant persona onscreen that would put a smile on your face. The restraint that she brings to her character was just so heartwarming to watch. Ratna Pathak Shah as Mahi is an absolute fire cracker with measured intensity and it was an absolute pleasure to watch her here. And her range as an actor is emaculate! If she was seen playing a Parsi character in Charlie Chopra with an accurate accent, the Punjabi accent in her character here was spot on too. Fatima Sana Shaikh as Sky looks pretty and does an amazing job in showcasing her inner vulnerabilities and insecurities. I could feel for her character in the outburst scene in the events leading up to the final act. She was simply outstanding here.
Conclusion
Despite some lags along the way, Dhak Dhak is a decent road movie with some well intended emotions that does make for a heartwarming one-time watch. Available in a theatre near you.
