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दम लगा के हईशा (2015)

I have been wanting to watch this movie for forever, and was so disappointed it did not have a theatrical release in the US. I couldn't even wait for my DVD to arrive from Amazon and I watched a mostly pretty good quality version of Dum Laga on einthusan with my Chromecast thingy on my TV. It got choppy at the end, but I got all the subtitles I think.

My feeling at the end of Dum Laga Ke Haisha, which was under two hours, is that I just wanted it to be longer. In one way, it's more like a traditional Hollywood Rom Com in that all is resolved in one dramatic gesture at the end, and they realize they do want to stay together, sweet kiss, the end. The acting was good, and I was quite impressed with Ayushmann Khurana and Bhumi Pednekar both. Ayushmann makes Prem likeable and sympathetic even though he is acting like an immature ASS for much of the picture. I'm still not sure he totally redeemed himself from the one-vile-horrible-thing-he-said-that-made-her-move-out, and that's why I wish it had been just a weeeeeee bit longer. Another song montage of him making it up to her even more, and more of their growing friendship. I don't know, the dramatic gesture and his big smile when she says she wants to stay with him did make me tear up. It's a very sweet film, and I adore all the music, which I listen to all the time.

One of the best things about Dum Laga Ke Haisha is its portrayal of the agency of young women.

Sandhya is the educated one, not Prem (which is the source of much of his insecurities and self esteem issues.) She goes into the arranged marriage with hope, and takes steps herself to consummate the marriage. I won't spoiler how, because it's a really cute and funny scene. She leaves her husband when he says something unforgivable, stands up to his family and her own, seeks a divorce on her own, and goes out for a teaching job, her dream. Late in the film, Prem is very encouraging of her and her chances of getting the job. "I'm sure you'll get it. I just know." And that's kind of the turning point for them even before the big race.

Glad the DVD is on its way!