Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga: 3.5/5
(It's strictly a 2.5 film, one star extra for the subject)
Plot: How LGBTQIA people struggle about their sexuality since their childhood, towards their youth, nobody to talk to, and finally how they find themselves suffocating in a closet, when family and society finds them unacceptable, diseased and mentally ill, that they end up marrying "heteros" or settling down with living alone for the rest of their lives or killing themselves or stay depressed forever.
What I loved:
The casting and their act is perfect! Be it Anil Kapoor, Rajkumar Rao, Juhi Chawla or any other supporting cast, except Sonam. I loved the fact, that director showed, how a family, how different family members, different well wishers or towards the end society, reacts to LGBTQIA people and to their love.
The director narrates the film very brilliantly using metaphors throughout the film like how Anil Kapoor being a man loves to cook (as cooking isn't a gender bias thing), three domestic helpers bets on who is going to be Sonam's future husband (reflect the society who keeps the check on you, talks behind you, who has nothing to do with you, but still keep digging into your lives), a song "Good Morning" gets played when the director shifts the narration towards the acceptance of LGBTQIA. Even, I loved the title of the film, smart choice, which shows us what the other side of the line "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" can be.
What I disliked:
I'm pretty mixed with the emotions after watching the film. I liked and disliked the film at the same time for the same reasons! It's very average film. But, taking LGBTQIA to the mainstream Bollywood Cinema without offending, objectifying or disgracing anyone, is really a great step towards progressive but at the same time, I find it pretty safe attempt by the Director. Keeping it all subtle is one thing, and touching the subject on the surface is another.
I still can understand the fear of makers, that what if they go bold on their film and end up pushing the envolope pretty hard, film might get rejected by the Hindi Cinema Audience or might land up in a controversy or worst, maybe picked up by the censor board. But still, don't you think so, all that would have been worth it, if the makers would have made Indian Cinema Audience feel the pain, hatred and disgrace LGBTQIA people have been witnessing since always.
One more issue I had with the film, is Sonam Kapoor. She was just like the film, perfectly average. Being her the central character, makers would have chosen much powerful actress over her. As you want to feel what she's going through, but you can and can't at the same time. Very lukewarm performance by Sonam.
Maybe I have seen so many great films on LGBTQIA before, made me have a great expectations from this film, landed me in this "happy-disappointment" mixed bag of emotions.
Happy : that it finally happened, and yes, a Happy Ending!
Disappointed: that it was very safe and on the surface.
One dialogue took my heart:
Anil to Rajkumar: "Tujhe ik munde nal vyah karne ko bolenge to tu kar lega? Nahi Na!?"
Pointing towards Sonam, "Inka bhi aisa hi hai."
Having all said that, I will surely suggest you all must watch the film, with your friends and family! It's a must watch for the fact, now we are not only talking about LGBTQIA but their acceptance too.
LGBTQIA is out there, it's a reality and one must support and accept them, just the way they are. As Love is Love.
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