Review: Gehraiyaan is a Deepika-Siddhant film all the way as it delves deep into multiple layers of emotions

Gehraiyaan on Prime Video does not need much of an introduction, however, the movie has definitely been grabbing a lot of attention and well, we did get a chance to get our hands on the film earlier than everyone else.

Gehraiyaan, narrates the tale of Alisha Khanna, 30, ambitious, now finding herself at a crossroad in life. Her six year long relationship has grown monotonous, her career seems to be hitting a lot of roadblocks and just when she had begun to accept this reality as unchangeable, her life is usurped by the arrival of her cousin, Tia and her fiancé, Zain, with whom she bonds over a troubled past and a common wish to break from its confines. The story charts the journey of Alisha and Zain, as they confront the ghost of their past on the path they take to avoid it. 

Performances

Deepika Padukone as Alisha is one of those revelations that we knew we couldn't get enough of. This truly is an amalgamation of some of the most emotional, vulnerable, and yet impactful roles that she has played in the past. Deepika shows intensity, emotions, some light moments here and there, and an additional information, which may not have a name, but is the kind that we've all felt at one point - that of being sure yet unsure, one where we have so many questions, but not enough answers. 

Siddhant Chaturvedi as Zain does the job right once again, and you know just how much you've waited for him to get the right role, different from what we've seen him do, and yet, very peculiar to him. Ananya Panday as Tia does what she is asked to, and while we've known that she has only so much screen time, she gets her part right.

Dhairya Karwa as Karan pulls it through just fine too, and though he doesn't have scenes that are too intense, or anything too much, he knows his character like his second skin, and makes you believe that he is Karan, after all.

Rajat Kapoor as Jitesh is also a fine addition to the cast, and he does well. Naseeruddin Shah, plays Deepika's father in the movie, and he owns the screen for every minute that he's in it. That emotional sequence between them in the second half, does win you over, leaving you teary eyed!

The Good

Apart from the performances, something that does beautifully stand out is the screenplay. The colour palette for the movie, the cinematography adding to it, and the beautiful direction, it all just comes together beautifully, for most parts. There do seem some glitches here and there, but it makes up for it. The second half of the movie is intriguing and keeps you on the edge, even with all those emotions that might feel like an overload. 

The nuances of each story that the movie touches upon, are rather beautiful. (although, as people, we could perceive it in different ways). When the movie ends, you know you are feeling it too, and mostly, left wondering if the past really lets go of you, after all?

Not enough can be spoken about Siddhant and Deepika's chemistry, and you see why Shakun Batra and team decided to have an intimacy director in the first place. A bold move, and one for the win!

How can we not talk about the music, and the songs? Right from the teaser, to the trailer, and eventually, the song releases, they've been talked about just enough and we know just how very well, they get you to feel things, and that's a feat in itself.

The Not So Good

Much like I feel about most good films, this one too, is no exception. Since we know the basis of the story, it could've been shorter by at least 30 minutes, if not more. The nature and subject of the movie might feel like the film's being stretched here and there. 

Like I wrote above, come think of it, the subjects brought into the movie, do leave you in two minds, and while we might want to be objective about it, it is a very fine line between complexity and toxicity. For some, however, it might not be that fine. For instance, this scene between Deepika and Siddhant, while they fight, it looks like they are about to hit each other, and though it is supposed to be intense, it comes off as toxic on multiple occasions.

Verdict

So far, so good, and there's only so much that one would like to see with such a movie. All the emotions that it takes you through, and fine performances put together with impactful writing, it all comes together beautifully for the entire team. If you've seen the trailer and been waiting for the film, be sure to watch it for everything it delivers everything it promises, and some more.

*Maybe if we let go of the past, it'll let go of us too* - Tia

Ratings: ***1/2 stars (3.5/5)