Star Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Saiee Manjrekar, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jay Upadhyay, Shantanu Maheshwari
Director: Neeraj Pandey
In a poignant narrative, “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” tells the tale of Krishna (Shantanu Maheshwari) and Vasudha (Saiee Manjrekar), ardent lovers separated by fate. As residents of a Mumbai chawl, their ambitions take them on different paths—Krishna to America for opportunities and Vasudha to fulfill her family’s dreams. However, an unexpected turn of events sends Krishna to jail for 25 years, urging Vasudha to move on with her life.
Years later, Krishna (Ajay Devgn) is released early for good conduct and finds himself in the same city, meeting Vasudha (Tabu) and her enigmatic husband, Abhijit (Jimmy Sheirgill), just as he’s about to migrate to Dubai.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha Movie Review: Script Analysis
The script is both a boon and a bane. Writer and director Neeraj Pandey weaves a love classic with sensitivity and classic frames, intercutting the past (2001) with the present (2023) with finesse. The screenplay is infused with humor, satire, and genuine emotional depth. The scenes between Krishna and Vasudha before his departure and the long sequence between Krishna and Abhijeet are particularly impactful.
However, the film’s 145-minute runtime could have been trimmed by at least 15 minutes, perhaps adopting a more linear narrative. The sequences of Krishna’s return to the chawl and his meeting with the Irani café owner are expertly written and empathetic, adding to the poignancy. The masterly writing of Krishna and Vasudha’s final meeting before his departure works wonderfully despite some maudlin lines.
The subplot involving Mahesh Desai (Sayaji Shinde) could have been more convincing, as it adds little to the story. Nevertheless, the twists in the second half give the film its final emotional depth, upholding the title despite needing more justification in the writing.
Star Performance
Ajay Devgn delivers a remarkable performance as Krishna, humanizing his character with love, follies, stubbornness, and clever wiles. As the younger Krishna, Shantanu Maheshwari provides a carefree contrast while retaining the character’s ardent temperament.
Though in a brief role, Tabu conveys anguish and intrinsic pain through her expressions. Saiee Manjrekar as the younger Vasudha is adequate, while Jimmy Sheirgill excels as Abhijeet in a brief role. Jay Upadhyay as Jignesh is lovable, adding to the film’s emotional depth.
Direction, Music
Neeraj Pandey’s direction is marked by a non-gimmicky style, expertly handling the past and present. The technical wizardry in cinematography (Sudheer Palsane), VFX, and DI is subtle yet effective. The warm tones of the film add tenderness to the narration.
The music, composed by M.M. Kreem, is superb. Songs like “Ae dil zara” and “Tu” define characters, moods, and emotions, while “Kisi roz” stands out as a musical gem. The background score heightens many scenes, adding to the film’s passion.
The Last Word
“Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” is poetic in its delicate handling of human emotions, exploring the canvas of human nature with a wide lens. Despite some flaws, Neeraj Pandey’s foray into a new genre scores high marks. The film is almost like poetry on celluloid, showcasing the imperfections and acceptance of human beings.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha Trailer:
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