Reviews & Ratings for
दम लगा के हईशा (2015)

"Arre baad me lad lena, pehle PASTRY kha lo"....."Arre tumri amma yahan kyon leti hui hai....leti nhi babuji, gir padi hain" and so many more scenes to feast your eyes on, this movie is a complete package of entertainment. It will make you laugh so hard that your jaws will start paining, it will make you emotional (may be even cry) and it will definitely teach you something. Ayushmann is so good, Bhumi is exceptional with her soft voice and impeccable acting.
A must watch for everyone!!!

Dum Laga ke Haisha (DLKH) is a Comedy Family Drama, which will remind you of clean family movies made by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Film is set up in 90s era in Haridwar and highlight challenges in a typical arranged marriage where 2 strangers try to lead a life together with all their differences. This theme isn't new to Bollywood but I don't remember any other film which managed to keep it so light yet realistic minus all the melodrama, tears and melancholy.
Kudos to debut director Sharat Kataria to keep the audience engaged from start to end. Audience will witness seamless transition from comedy to drama to romance. Ayushmann Khurana has a penchant to try different roles and work in quality cinema. DLKH would add to his maturity as an actor. Thanks Ayushmann for continuing being an actor and not trying to become a "star".
If there is one thing DLKH would be ever remembered for, then it would be for debut lead actress Bhumi Pednekar. No amount of words can describe the brilliance of this actress.She impresses in all the areas be it her expressions, dialogue delivery or immersing herself in the role. Before this role, she worked as an assistant to casting director Shanoo Sharma for 6 years in Yash Raj Films. She wasn't casted because she was so hefty, rather she gained 10-15 kgs for this role. If my prediction is right then she is bagging debut filmfare award this year.
Role of character actors was well defined and their presence strengthens the plot and adds to the beauty of story. Film has some great actors like Sanjay Mishra (Filmfare 2014 - Best Actor Critics for Ankhon Dekhi) and Seema Pahwa (Ankhon Dekhi). Music of the film was disappointing but that doesn't make much dent in its Entertainment Quotient. Must watch with your better half and family. Safe to watch with kids.

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!