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Review: Minus its controversy, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is a pretty average film

Review: Minus its controversy, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is a pretty average film

In this much-awaited film, Fawad Khan impresses, Aishwarya Rai, not so much.
29 Oct, 2016

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

At long last, it's finally here: the Karan Johar flick Ae Dil Hai Mushkil that's been stirring controversy across India and Pakistan due to the fact that it features Pakistani actors (namely Fawad Khan).

Unfortunately, by 'here' I mean the United States, where I watched the film. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is still not out in Pakistan, even after much back and forth.

Read: Fawad Khan's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil release in Pakistan doubtful, state reports

So for now, you'll have to live vicariously through me to find out if this film is worth the hype.

As with any Karan Johar Movie, watching Ae Dil Hai Mushkil requires us to surrender all the inconveniences of religion, family and tradition at the ticket booth.

We know what to expect: a lot of good looking people with similar generic values enjoying a privileged lifestyle without ever holding down a job... yet somehow, despite this, we can see ourselves in their hopes and dreams.

That connection is what makes Karan Johar’s films so successful.

Ranbir Kapoor is Ayan, a non-resident Indian floating through an MBA when he really wants to be a singer (oh, and he has a private jet in the garage). He has a gold digger for a girlfriend (played by Lisa Hayden), something he only picks up on when he meets Anoushka Sharma’s Alizeh.

It’s no huge surprise that Fawad Khan looks fabulous onscreen and his scenes bring much needed freshness and life to this cliché-ridden story.

Alizeh and Ayan become fast friends and this relationship is the heart of this film, asking the question: what makes us love someone and what makes us fall in love with someone? “Mohabbat main junoon hai dosti main sakoon hai,” says Alizeh, and there are no boundaries (except actual sex) in this ultra-cool couple’s “dosti”, where sharing a spoon, a hug, a room and even a bed are all on the same level and not supposed to arouse any feelings, except of course until they do.

Alizeh and Ayan become fast friends and this relationship is the heart of this film.
Alizeh and Ayan become fast friends and this relationship is the heart of this film.

The first half of the film moves at a snappy pace, holding the audience’s interest in anticipation of deeper things to come. However, the second half doesn’t bring the expected pay off, spinning into a long, winding exploration of Ayan’s feelings that give it a surprisingly TV drama-like feel.

The leap to an epic, tortured romance between Ayan and Alizeh doesn’t work because the other end of the equation — the relationship between Alizeh and her first love Ali (played by Fawad Khan), is left completely unexplored. Why does she love Ali? Why did she leave him? How exactly is he 'tabahi' for her? To make it clear, it is obvious that this story is very much about Ayan and his relationship with Alizeh, but the story needed a few scenes of Alizeh and Ali as a counterpoint to the main romance to raise it above the superficial 'guy-cannot-get-over-being-friend-zoned' narrative.

The leap to an epic, tortured romance between Ayan and Alizeh doesn’t work because the other end of the equation — the relationship between Alizeh and her first love Ali is left completely unexplored.
The leap to an epic, tortured romance between Ayan and Alizeh doesn’t work because the other end of the equation — the relationship between Alizeh and her first love Ali is left completely unexplored.

It’s no huge surprise that Fawad Khan looks fabulous onscreen and his scenes bring much needed freshness and life to this cliché-ridden story.

Some of the best scenes are of Alizeh and Ali’s wedding, brought wonderfully to life in the song 'Cutie Pie'. In fact, the only scenes which actually invoke the pathos the writers aimed for are of Ranbir as he walks out of the party, unable to face the fact that he's lost Alizeh.

Ayan and Alizeh share an intimate moment at Alizeh's wedding.
Ayan and Alizeh share an intimate moment at Alizeh's wedding.

Fawad reappears towards the film's end and again the audience is left wanting more. As to the other half of the much talked about Pakistani contingent, Imran Abbas looks great on screen as Dr. Faisal and provides an amusing catalyst to Alizeh and Ayan’s friendship. According to Abbas’s Facebook, a few of his scenes were cut and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether appeasement or necessity was the reason.

Shah Rukh Khan’s brief appearance as Aishwarya's ex-husband Tahir is another example of the way the film's characters are always yearning for someone but are unable to make enough of a commitment to hold on to that someone.

As this is a Karan Johar movie Lucknow, Vienna and Paris are all a hop, skip and a jump away from the protagonists — just like their relationships! Ayan seeks solace in Saba, a divorced poet played by Aishwarya Rai who despite the intimate nature of her scenes seems untouchable and remote till her meeting with Alizeh.

Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai's sizzling on screen chemistry had everyone on their toes.
Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai's sizzling on screen chemistry had everyone on their toes.

A dinner party scene in Vienna is one of this film’s strongest moments; this is where all three leads learn that their veneer of sophistication cannot protect them from the pain of their emotions. In the end they are just like the rest of us in search for that elusive feeling of being the "only one" for someone. This is where the script actually succeeds, holding a mirror up to Ayan.

But what should be a point of revelation ends up lost in the mish-mash of his emotions.

Shah Rukh Khan’s brief appearance as Aishwarya's ex-husband Tahir is another example of the way the film's characters are always yearning for someone but are unable to make enough of a commitment to hold on to that someone.

Tahir goes on to give Ayan some spectacularly useless advice about unrequited life, because speaking poetic Urdu means never having to move on. The strangest thing about Tahir and Ali too is their complete lack of jealousy. They seem immune to the raw emotions Ayan is struggling with. It's as if for them, a little philosophising can soothe their broken hearts, so it’s not surprising that audience isn’t moved either.

Lisa Hayden as the ditzy “gold digger” steals the show with her complete lack of self-awareness and you get the feeling she may be the only person onscreen who actually knows what she wants.

Ranbir gives a fine performance and shines in some of ADHM's more emotional scenes but after a while the concentration on his character’s feelings becomes tiresome. He is so good at playing the sweet, nice guy who has something to learn, but this is nothing new for him.

The strangest thing about Tahir and Ali too is their complete lack of jealousy. They seem immune to the raw emotions Ayan is struggling with.
The strangest thing about Tahir and Ali too is their complete lack of jealousy. They seem immune to the raw emotions Ayan is struggling with.

Anoushka Sharma looks beautiful and gives a simply fabulous performance as a woman who has trouble being 'present' — she is always somewhere else in spirit. Her love for old Bollywood songs, the references to old movie dialogues that she and Ayan bond over; all point to her disappointment that reality cannot match the fierce intensity of celluloid. Ranbir and Anoushka look great together but despite their closeness the vibe is always platonic compared to her scenes with Fawad.

Lisa Hayden as the ditzy “gold digger” steals the show with her complete lack of self-awareness and you get the feeling she may be the only person onscreen who actually knows what she wants. The scenes of her much practiced “Salamalaikum” and “what, no Namaste for us?” were sharp and funny reminders of the at-times willful misunderstandings that have scarred this film’s release.

In the original story Ali, Alizeh, Faisal and Saba's characters were supposedly Pakistani, but had to be changed to Indian Muslims from Lucknow because of the threatening rhetoric coming from Indian nationalists.

In the end I wonder if the Hindu nationalists demanding a ban on ADHM actually did the makers a favour by stirring up so much controversy.

It really seems a fuss about nothing when there is nothing particularly “Pakistani” about any of these roles but to be fair apart from a bhajan on his iPhone there was little to mark Ayan as an Indian either. Representations of Muslims in Bollywood sadly veer from caricatures saying Subhanallah, with shawl glued to their shoulders as in the recent Dilwale to the generic girl with a Muslim name we see in Alizeh.

In the end I wonder if the Hindu nationalists demanding a ban on ADHM actually did the makers a favour by stirring up so much controversy.

On the flipside, if a better product was killed on the editing floor — well it's a shame that what could have been an iconic movie, connecting people across borders, has been reduced to a “time pass”.

It would be easy enough to criticize Karan Johar for not standing up to his bullies but at least he made the effort to reach out and be inclusive. Hopefully this film will be shown in Pakistan, if for no other reason than that it includes the hard work of Pakistani actors and singers. The better reason would be that we cannot let empty political rhetoric drown out the voices of peace and understanding.

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil lacks the emotional power of Karan Johar’s previous films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or My Name Is Khan but is good enough to watch once for the good music and the great performances put in by the entire cast.

Comments

vishrutbujethiya Oct 29, 2016 07:02pm
Shivaay Review please
Recommend
shakeel jalil Oct 29, 2016 07:33pm
Thanks to the local Internet providers, saw the movie. Worthless ! Karan Johar has lost the touch of a good direction,.
Recommend
Irfan ul Huq Oct 29, 2016 07:37pm
.Hey the bottom line is that this movie can be watched.What Karan Johar did in the past is immaterial.He is a good film maker with a reputation but I read review to know the different aspects of the movie I intend to watch
Recommend
Hasan Oct 29, 2016 07:42pm
Another Pakistani actor Imran Abbas was also in the movie for less than 30 seconds...:)
Recommend
Mir Baloch Oct 29, 2016 07:45pm
I watched the movie it was opposite of what i expected and I could hardly find Fawad who scenes has been squeezed, The controversy will help the movie in bringing foots in Cinema Hall but the movie will disappoint he audience. I guess the heavy editing made the movie a futile movie otherwise could have been a better one. Anyhow this movie in current editing doesn't worth to be watched.
Recommend
Yash Oct 29, 2016 07:49pm
Extremely boring movie!! Three is lack of creativity in the movie!! Karan Johar is unnecessarily being hyped to be a great director!! There is nothing new in the movie! It seems the director is not sure what he wants to represent. 1⭐️Out of 5!!
Recommend
irfan Oct 29, 2016 08:16pm
This was a great film... most people will not realize this , that this was an unusual film and probably one of the rare movies which told that it is ok for girls and boys to be friends and nothing more, THERE IS A GREAT LESSON FOR MALE CHAUVINISTS HERE... to learn some lessons here that not every woman who is friendly wants to marry you... great lesson for pakistani males as well as indian males as ell..
Recommend
Haroon Jam Oct 29, 2016 09:01pm
Absolute waste of time! Don't bother. Nothing new.
Recommend
Ash Oct 29, 2016 09:14pm
Average is an overating for this film. Had it not been a controversy this film would have come and gone like the myriad nonsense that Bollywoods juts out from "a behind". I am starting to think that Pakistani content is getting richer by the day in its own country and pretty soon most actors here will be employed at home
Recommend
Yash Oct 29, 2016 10:16pm
@vishrutbujethiya see Shivay if you like action movies!! Though it's a bit long I.e almost 3hrs 15 minutes. VFX, cinematography, BG and music is awesome! Ajay Devgan is fabulous. His role is very challenging. The movie is almost like Hollywood movie "Taken", but the catching of kidnaperes is different. Far better than ADHM!!
Recommend
Maria Oct 29, 2016 10:26pm
@Ash Ameen!
Recommend
Maria Oct 29, 2016 10:31pm
Fawad is a stunner in every manner! This man will hit Hollywood one day!
Recommend
Abs Oct 29, 2016 10:41pm
I love the movie. All the artists in a movie did really well. Fawad Khan role was small but his appreance is marvellous. Karan joher you are great filmmaker. I want to see you again with Fawad Khan.
Recommend
Dipak Singham Oct 29, 2016 10:43pm
I watched !! Very average film... Only worth is all the characters looks great great great in the movie.
Recommend
Mohd Kamran Oct 29, 2016 10:53pm
@Ash - nah. Yes, agree this was a pretty avg film (even Indians thought so), but India still has better....;) And Fawwad was sooo 'over rated'...geez--Ranbir definitely stole the show.; the entire movie rested on him--great work by him
Recommend
Arka Oct 29, 2016 11:06pm
In the era of Sushant singh Rajput who want to watch Ranbir,Fawad?
Recommend
a Oct 29, 2016 11:09pm
What do you expect a commercial movie to be ? I am neither disappointed nor happy. Its just the way such movies are. If you wanna see a real movie, watch the likes of Lunchbox or the Blue Umbrella. Oh wait, you probably have heard of those. There U go !
Recommend
Maitreyi Oct 29, 2016 11:29pm
This could have been an extremely good movie. The story was there, and the actors were there. Karan Johar did not do justice to the script. Everything was very superficial. There was nothing deep about the movie except for 2-3 scenes. I am so disappointed. Unnecessary comedy , well it wasn't even funny so it isn't comedy. Seriously disappointed.
Recommend
Khan Oct 29, 2016 11:58pm
What a waste of my time. I did not like this movie at all.
Recommend
Fatima Abatcha Oct 30, 2016 12:23am
Well, unlike KKKG bt it hs given us smth 2 dwell abt during d night. Welldone Kjo!
Recommend
Khanna Oct 30, 2016 12:27am
The movie was fantastic..you need sensitivity to understand it . fawad was average . Ranbir was the star...what expressions...a fabulous actor..must watch
Recommend
Anum Oct 30, 2016 12:28am
As expected,,Pak actors role is so small in this movie
Recommend
Shey Oct 30, 2016 12:32am
For some reason ,this movie just has got everything right.just loved it .loved every part of the story and that connection between anushka and ranbir that we see is rare to find on screen but they've really nailed it.Just loved every part of the movie.
Recommend
Jim Beam Oct 30, 2016 12:36am
People know of only Bollywood in India, as if it is the Gold standard. There are many regional language movies in the south of India which are exemplary and depict realistic scenarios with excellent storytelling and direction. Unfortunately due to language barriers, people in Pak are either unaware or do not understand them. I detest most Bollywood movies because of excessive melodrama, superficial direction and acting. Good movie is more than pretty faces and exotic locale.
Recommend
charan Oct 30, 2016 03:19am
Such a worthless movie I ever seen in my life.karan johar 2nd rubbish movie.first is baar baar dakho and 2nd is ADHM.
Recommend
Lisa Oct 30, 2016 03:41am
Nice movie . Never heard of Fawad Khan until the controversy!!Must admit he is awesome...
Recommend
Lisa Oct 30, 2016 03:58am
Nice Movie. Never heard of Fawad Khan before the controversy. He is too handsome....
Recommend
Nirav Oct 30, 2016 04:35am
Its average movie...I can't find any special in this movie ..I can't give more then 2star
Recommend
RG Oct 30, 2016 05:36am
Whether you like it or not is very relative. Fawad has hardly any role in this film. Its a new story atleast.
Recommend
charu Oct 30, 2016 05:43am
its Katan Johar man...its bound to be a candy floss... Ranbir is playing this confused "want to be someone else"guy forthe millionth time...yawwwn.... Sometimes i wonder what would be like to have life like these characters....no worrying about job, exams, weight, parents...money...matlab everything revolves around only love and romance.... arre bhai ... aur bhi gum hain zamane mein mohobbat ke siva
Recommend
Arvind Oct 30, 2016 05:50am
With below average actors and below average producer and director, the film can not be even average.
Recommend
Superstar Oct 30, 2016 07:45am
Empathise terror attacks on Indian soil. Thats the minimum Indian public would expect for pak actors to continue working India. If you can't the you are persona non grata and asked to leave.
Recommend
Sandesh Oct 30, 2016 08:01am
This looks more like Political Article than Movie Review.. Based on this article, one would think Bollwood is surviving because of pakistani artists are bringing life to our movies with their titsy bitsy roles.. Haha thanks for oscar wining performance in our movies.. Otherwise we would have been doomed.. Lol
Recommend
Zia Oct 30, 2016 09:25am
Movie was just another movie. I guess KJs other movies had story line. This one doesnt. Actors however tries to so their best. I am impressed by Fawads acting. I have seen his previous movies too and he is far above his peers no matter how small the role is. Would love to see him with Shahrukh in an intense movie like alvida na kehna or with Saif. This movie is a bit of time waste and leaves you confused.
Recommend
Ti kleme Elmo Oct 30, 2016 09:57am
Good review but I take exception to your comment about Hindu nationalists demanding ban. All indians were absolutely disgusted by total lack of any sort of reaction from Fawad et al after Uri terrorist attack.
Recommend
Prateik Oct 30, 2016 10:14am
Many Pakistanis have watched Indian movie.
Recommend
Rohit Oct 30, 2016 12:11pm
Not sure what the film is all about, but the review is all about Fawad. And how a guest appearance should have been given more space.
Recommend
Qureshi Oct 30, 2016 12:26pm
Who's this Fawad? Never noticed him the movie...Isn't he some secondary backup character?
Recommend
Mahek Anil chawla Oct 30, 2016 04:18pm
Writer seems to be in the impression that while shooting of all the movie one or two Hindu Gunda was on the sets and he actually given the instructions to Karan Johar which scenes of Pakistani actor to be cut.
Recommend
Ramakant Oct 30, 2016 11:08pm
There were reports that people were seen leaving in the middle. Save your money and instead buy more crackers or mithai for Diwali.
Recommend
nomad Oct 31, 2016 01:39am
@Maria Relax !!
Recommend
Nirmal Oct 31, 2016 03:58am
Karan Johar & Ranbir Kapoor....give up please. I am sure even Shivaay will entertain in some way.
Recommend
Ti kleme Elmo Oct 31, 2016 09:41am
Watched the movie today. Liked it very much. Ranbir is so awesome in his portrayal of someone in love with the person who can't reciprocate quite the same way. Anushka was fine too. Fawad did ok given the limited scope of his role in the movie. Aishwarya looked old, and the talk about chemistry between her & Ranbir is just a hype. It's neither good nor convincing. Karan Johar did a fine job over all. Worth watching.
Recommend
tina Oct 31, 2016 10:36am
"It’s no huge surprise that Fawad Khan looks fabulous onscreen and his scenes bring much needed freshness and life to this cliché-ridden story." Only a biased Pakistani can say these lines in the review of a movie where Fawad Khan's total screen time was about 5 mins and his acting skills were not even on display much. However i agree that the movie was pretty average, but at least write an unbiased opinion
Recommend
Waqasdogar Oct 31, 2016 11:59am
@Arvind Karan johar Needs to Acknowledge that Each time People Will not even Support the Same kind of Story lines And Same Making Style !!! What is this Man ??? Make Something New Man !!!! Needs New Subject Although Love Story films As well !!! You Can not Put All Blame on Actors of your Story Line even Love Or Drama film !!!
Recommend
Waqasdogar Oct 31, 2016 12:01pm
Fawad KhAn Rocks !!! Looks Ausome in film ADHM !!!!!
Recommend
KUNAL MAJUMDAR Oct 31, 2016 12:11pm
The only feeling I was left with after watching the movie was "Gosh! I've been conned". Was he trying to do a Satyajit Ray Bollywood style?
Recommend
Ali Oct 31, 2016 02:10pm
Karan Johar Movies are dreams - pleasant or nightmares. He doesn't want to come of his dream world. He has no valid romantic relation in his life, but makes movies on relations and interprets them as he intends them to be, which is sometimes scary. ADHM is the franchise of what he usually produces or an another attempt to prove that KANK, that was mostly rejected by the audience critically due to encouraged infidelity shown between married couple, was not a mistake and viewers could not get to the gist of the movie. It's a second attempt to say - That was right, This is right, I am right, and I will keep doing it unless you yield to it... Anyone who reads, if he or she wants, can comment on my notion. Thanks
Recommend
Reema Oct 31, 2016 11:04pm
I loved the movie!! it was amazing especially Ranbir Kapoor he is an amazing actor. I loved Aish's role she was perfect eye candy and she did exceptional in the role given to her. Fawad khan cannot dance, I wish they did not give him any dancing sections he looked really bad and off. As far as his screen space I think any other actor could easily replace him as the role itself wasn't really that great. Lisa haydon does need some attention, she really did her role justice and she was a star. Imran abbas suited his role although he too cannot dance he doesn't have what it takes. But he also could easily been replaced by another actor and it wouldn't really make a difference. As far as the main leads Anuska, Ranbir and Aish they fit the roles perfectly and damn the movie was funny!!
Recommend
Heena Oct 31, 2016 11:08pm
Karan Johar is a great filmmaker he is like the designer of movies. I love his way of story telling. This movie was amazing, towards the end maybe 10 minutes could have been cut but it was totally a great movie to watch! Ranbir Kapoor is great he made me emotional and love him some more.
Recommend
SIAK Nov 01, 2016 12:10am
Fawad had hardly 5 minute screen presence in total!! All this disgrace and sucking up to Bollywood and Karan Johar only for this!? Shameful.....
Recommend
SIAK Nov 01, 2016 12:16am
@irfan all it tried to mask was that there were some deep psychological issues with both RK and AS...both came from uncaring families. Their relationship, esp AS's, definitely was indicative of those deep psychological issues which KJ naively showed as a genuine lifestyle.
Recommend
Sam Nov 01, 2016 10:34am
I love ranbeer movie, but it was preety bad , specially after interval. I wasted my 350 rs, shivay is better or less bad than AHDM ,at least I felt so. Ranbir u are one of best current actor, do stick with Imtiaz Ali and Anurag kashyap, rather than stupid director like kjo.
Recommend
farheen roohi Nov 01, 2016 10:49am
@Maria inxhallah
Recommend
nawaz Nov 02, 2016 09:36am
Just watched this in Australia. Not a bad film. Not remarkable either. Typical chocolatey KJo fare. Had the potential to be great, but felt like a mish mash. At nearly 3 hours, it was far too long. Some excellent performances by Kapoor and Sharma. Bachchan looked the goddess she is famed for, but Haydon took the cake. Some good music, with the overall film let down by dirty politics and bad editing.
Recommend
anujit Nov 03, 2016 04:00pm
Theme of ADHM is bit different to be absorbed by commoner...be remembered only for RK's mesmerizing performance.
Recommend