Run time:1 Hour 41 Minutes
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Sanjana Sanghi, Sahil Vaid, Swastika Mukherjee, Saswata Chatterjee and Saif Ali Khan
Director: Mukesh Chhabra
Rating: This Movie is ABOVE rating.
Let us preface this by saying that there is no way to write an unbiased review for Dil Bechara, the post-humous release of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput and his last film ever.
It’s not possible to separate the tragic circumstance of Sushant’s death from the film-watching experience, which makes the viewing even more poignant. All one can really register initially is that this is the last time we’ll get to see Sushant being an infectious goofball with a cute smile on the screen!
If you do decide to watch Dil Bechara, please make sure you have a nice snuggly blanket, some hot chocolate and some tissues ready for this cathartic ride.
Directed by Mukesh Chabbra, Dil Bechara is the Indian adaptation of ‘The Fault In Our Stars’, starring Sushant Singh Rajput and debutant Sanjana Sanghi in the lead as Manny and Kizie. Anyone who has seen the original already knows how things pan out on the reel, and given the real-life tragedy infused with the film… it lives up to its tear-jerker potential.
Dil Bechara is a story revolving around two cancer patients in love – Kizie Basu and Immanuel Rajkumar Junior aka Manny. Lugging around a cylinder fondly named ‘Pushpinder’, while battling thyroid cancer, Kizie meets the cute, cocky, Rajnikanth-obsessed Manny and his friend Jagdish Pandey (Sahil Vaid).
With Manny having lost his leg to osteosarcoma and Jagdish on the verge of losing his eyesight… the trio may all be struggling with Cancer but they’re all about the ‘Carpe Diem’ with their aspirations to shoot a ‘Bhojpuri’ film together.
Yes, there are some bizarre tweaks to the source material in this adaptation. Instead of Hazel’s fixation with an unfinished book, Dil Bechara shows Kizie being obsessed with a reclusive musician and his unfinished title track. While Manny is determined to fulfil her desperate wish of meeting the aforementioned musician – Abhimanyu Veer (Saif Ali Khan).
In the face of looming death and disease, the trio of Kizie, Manny and Jagdish carry off their cheerful silliness, which is made to look charming against the backdrop of A.R Rahman’s music.
The Paris montage in the movie is beautifully shot. Sushant manages to give a charming desi twist to Augustus Waters with his portrayal of Manny – as the quirky, Rajni fan who’s full of life despite having lost a leg to cancer. While Sanjana makes her debut look confident and vulnerable at the same time.
Sahil Vaid is fun in his limited role as the sidekick. Bonus points to Saswata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee who play the sweet but concerned parents of Kizie. Saif Ali Khan’s cameo as the bitter, elusive musician is brief but impactful.
If Hazel and Augustus managed to make ‘Okay?Okay.’ eternal, Manny and Kizie have immortalized the word ‘Seri’ – which in Tamil means okay. Seri, Sushant. The ‘eulogy’ scene hits different and feels morbid, especially given the circumstances of Sushant’s death.
Music Box
To take things out of the gloom, we have the enchanting soundtrack composed by the Legendary Music Maestro A.R Rahman with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. Dil Bechara title track has already won hearts, but our favourite is the bittersweet and melancholy ‘The Horizon of Saudade’. ‘Khulke Jeene Ka’ and ‘Taare Ginn’ too are beautiful songs that add the much-required sweetness and light-heartedness to the sombre mood of the movie.
Hit Or Miss?
Definitely Must Watch! A True Tearjerker. We cried. Maybe because of the movie or … just for everything. For the loss of such a talented actor too soon. Let us remember and celebrate the wonderful Sushant by showing all our love and support for the movie. Goodbye and rest in peace, Sushant. You will sorely be missed.