Review: 'Do Aur Do Pyaar' is a hilarious and heartfelt ride through the maze of extra-marital affairs

In the midst of all the different types of movies released this year, I've been really wanting a good romantic comedy, and it seems like it's here. With a talented cast including Pratik Gandhi, Vidya Balan, Ileana D'Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy, all under the direction of debut filmmaker Shirsha Guha Thakurta, "Do Aur Do Pyaar" promises to be something special, and if she serves us this with her first movie, she has pretty raised the bar for her journey. Departing from the usual mainstream fare, this film combines modern romance with classic charm. Here's what I feel about it.

The film begins with Groucho Marx's infamous quote -"Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution?" and that's when you know what's in store for you. The best part about this story is that it builds up from the very first frame and keeps you engaged till the very end, while not disappointing you anytime. Anirudh (Pratik Gandhi) has been married to Kavya (Vidya Balan) for 12 years, and as of now, they are not 'happily' married but just married and having affairs. While Anirudh tries to find love with Nora(Ileana D'Cruz), Kavya finds her distraction in Vikram(Sendhil Ramamurthy). But one trip to Ooty reignites the sparks between Ani and Kaavya, and what follows is a hilarious ride of confusion, delusion and emotions. 

The first half is crafted like a beautiful, cute painting with small nuances of a relationship, bitter and sweet. Everything these four go through will make you feel relatable at some point or another. Be it Nora's constant need for reassurance, Ani's effort to be there for Kaavya, Vikram's state of mind seeking answers, and Kaavya's emotions for feeling lonely while being there with the love of her life, it all touches your heart. The film is filled with aww-worthy moments, and the 'lover-girl' in me was so delighted. A scene where Kaavya and Anni dance their hearts out on 'Bin Tere Sanam' is as epic and charming as a couple can be. Shirsha has done a brilliant job with the humour as well because the first half has some really good moments that will tickle your fun bone. The second half is heavy on emotions and deals with the more serious and insightful part of the narrative which may feel a bit slow, but nevertheless leaves you hooked. While some may raise concerns about the storyline and its portrayal of extramarital affairs, as brutal I may sound here, it's nothing that's not happening out there in the real world it's just a lighthearted and entertaining way of offering a perspective that reflects the complexities of relationships in today's era. 

Of course, the highlight is Vidya Balan and Pratik Gandhi. The more we see it, the more it becomes evident how brilliant and natural Vidya Balan is as an actress. As Kaavya, she is flawless, vivacious, and the bubbly Vidya Balan we missed. She perfectly portrays a range of emotions from sorrow to anger to helplessness, and her comic timing is spot on. Whether it's her South Indian accent, playful gestures, or moments of vulnerability, every aspect of her performance shines.  

Pratik Gandhi only adds up to the acting prowess he embodies within him by showing the range of work and roles he can do. Playing Anni, a Bengali boy is something he never did before, and yet again he brings so much to the table. His comic timing is impeccable, and so are his softer scenes. Pratik and Vidya's chemistry feels so natural and effortless. You can sense the conviction in their performances, and they precisely bring their characters to life.

Ileana D'Cruz as Nora is charming and it actually feels good to see her on the screen after a long time. This kind of role doesn't have scope for much retrospection, and she keeps it natural. Sendhil Ramamurthy tries his best to stay glued to the script, and while his English dialogues might get missed in translation, he delivers what's required. 

The cinematography and music of this film will also need a shoutout because the beauty of Ooty and the authenticity of Mumbai are captured in quite a poetic manner. The songs are so soothing, and I must say what a comeback for 'Lucky Ali' and 'The Local Train'. Each word resonates with the narrative, and it all just flows like a breeze tickling your bare body.