Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

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Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara [2011]

Starring: Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaid

Direction by Zoya Akhtar, Screenplay by Zoha & Farhan Akhtar

Language: Hindi


I don’t recall watching this movie for the first time, but what I do remember is that I have grown up watching this around family and friends, and it is a classic that we keep coming back to. In an industry so dominated by sappy romance stories, this was a welcome breath of fresh air. And whilst all Bollywood movies incorporate some sort of romance, this was luckily a case in which romance was not the main focus.

The chemistry between the main characters was great, and that added a freshness to the movie: Bollywood often pairs the same groups of people together to the point where you’re sick of seeing them at the same time. 

Additionally, the vibrance of southern Spain: its rolling vistas and breathtaking mountains mirrors the casual, relaxed nature of the movie. And whilst other Bollywood films set movies in foreign countries just for the sake of doing so, the setting in Spain was purposeful, and added so much to the movie. 


What I found especially interesting about this movie were the layers of complexity behind a movie that was, for the most part, quite low-key! Most Bollywood movies have some sort of macho element or theme that comes up, and it is so normalised now that I have stopped noticing when this happens. However, this movie was able to tear away at this façade to reveal intense vulnerability and regret, which was something that was so unique to watch. 

Luckily, these more serious themes were offset by the fact that there were some goofy, light hearted scenes that made everything quite light. The very message of the movie revolves around the fact that ‘la vida es una’, and there is a focus on making the most of every opportunity. This put in the context of being tourists in a foreign land adds another layer of humour and lightheartedness in the picture. 

Adding on to this, the dynamic nature of relationships, especially between the male protagonists  was quite interesting. Relationships through a female lens are often explored, but I have not once seen the relationship between male friends or even romantic relationships between men and women through a male lens shown in a serious way, a way largely devoid of stereotypes. 

If you’re looking for a good time, but tired of watching the same old sappy romance stories, this is a perfect alternative 


9.5/10

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