A delectable watch

In just about 120 minutes director Habib Faisal takes you on a ride and proves the schizophrenic presence of Yashraj Films with yet another new found fondness for ‘socially relevant cinema’. Lest you miss the screaming message, it is also stated in writing. The pulpit notwithstanding, the film makes for interesting viewing thanks largely to the lion-hearted performances from the main players. Their energy and their sincerity sees the film through and even makes it interesting and absorbing.

Gullu or Gulrez (Parineeti Chopra) is the daughter of a clerk in the High Court at Hyderabad. Dad Booji (Anupam Kher) is making efforts to have the girl married but the amount of dowry he can offer does not get him satisfactory matches. Even Amjad (Karan Wahi) who loves her does not stand up against the demands of his parents for dowry. She now plans to foist a false case against a prospective in-laws and husband. She moves to Lucknow and starts interviewing prospective grooms and their families and surreptitiously records their demands for dowry. In the process she runs into Tariq - Taru (Aditya Roy Kapur) who sells the best biryani in Lucknow. He is not the classy urban guy who would satisfy Gulu who now plans to make money for a trip to the USA to become a fashion and shoe designer. What happens is that unwittingly Taru gets involved in the scheme of Gullu who feigns love for the guy. Surely with time things get sorted out in a climax that is surely cinematic.

The film deals with the evil of dowry in the reverse and is perhaps the only one till date which deals with the abuse of the law against dowry. At a time when the vocal protest against the abuse of the law in this regard is on the rise, the filmmaker decides to make his statement. It is not so much the story or the treatment that gets the film its attention. The film is in fact loosely written and filled with the unbelievable. Rising above every shortcoming, the narration is spirited and makes for compelling viewing thanks for the brilliant performances. First there is Anupam Kher as the lawyer’s clerk who as a single parent is anxious to see his daughter married and is willing to take the shortcut too for the welfare of his daughter. From the word go it is Parineeti Chopra who converts the ordinary into compelling viewing with her energy and her conviction of the role. With looks that increasingly remind the viewer of the famous La Tagore, she is far earthier with her performances. Then after his late entry Aditya Roy Kapur adds a high octave energy and along with it a credibility to the script. The film is a daawat not so much of ishq as it is of the lovers. The star pair share wonderful screen chemistry though the roles they perform does not even ask for it. They are dynamic and amazing and ‘Daawat-e-Ishq’ is a salute to actors overcoming an indifferent script.

Cast : Aditya Roy Kapur, Parineeti

Chopra and Anupam Kher

Direction : Habib Faisal

Genre : Drama

Rating : *** 1/2

Fine performances

Preachy and weak script