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This film, for starters, is a true sequel (where the story progresses). Therefore, it must compulsorily be as involving as the original—and it is! The common points are Rakul Preet Singh as Ayesha, and Ajay Devgn as Ashish, her older lover and potential husband. The earlier movie had hinted at a sequel, and though De De Pyaar De 2 has arrived six years later, we can still connect with the characters, especially because we have a sparkling and crisp recap before the story begins anew.
By now, having satisfactorily resolved issues with Ashish’s first family, it is time that Ayesha confides in her clan back in Chandigarh about the man she wants to spend her life with. She wants to break the news to her loving father, Rakesh (R. Madhavan) and mother Anju (Gautami Kapoor) as Ashish is all of 51 and she is in her twenties. She then plans to bring Ashish down to meet her family, confident that they will approve of the sweet man he is.
Ayesha’s sister-in-law Kittu (Ishita Dutta) is in an advanced state of pregnancy, and the buddies that they are, Ayesha confides in her about Ashish, swearing her to secrecy until the “right time.” But Kittu blurts the secret out unwittingly and there is no option but to call Ashish down pronto! Rakesh and Anju call themselves modern, educated and progressive people, but a man only a few months younger to Rakesh is an alarming marital prospect for them.
Subtly, Rakesh begins to show his disapproval and one day Ayesha revolts and decides to go back to London with Ashish. Rakesh realizes his mistake and goes there to apologize and bring them back. But that’s not the happy ending. It’s only the interval point! So what happens next?
While the first half is delightful, even in the drama, the second half could have spiraled down, but writers Luv Ranjan and Tarun Jain make sure that the drama and humor remain intact. Along with that, as in the earlier film, they cock a snook at societal convention and give us subtle messages on love, parental love, relationships, friendships and more. The pre-climax drama could have perhaps had more impact had it had been genuine. Why do I say that? Well, watch the movie that ends on an exhilarating note with some tensions thrown in!
The standout element in the field is Rakul Preet Singh. Always a commendable actor, she gives her career-best performance here as Ayesha, her big eyes being like twin rays of scorching expressions and elemental emotions. Her work stands out easily among this year’s finest performances. However, the film’s mixing levels could have been curtailed a bit, methinks, for whenever she is speaking vehemently, it seems that she is hollering.
The same goes for R. Madhavan’s tones, as his maximum interaction is with his fiery daughter, Madhavan gets into yet another antagonist mode (Shaitan with Devgn again, Kesari 2 with Akshay) and comes up a winner. His voice modulation is perfect, and his expressions chameleonic.
Ajay Devgn seamlessly steps into Ashish, his deadpan humor and understated traits intact, and if any sequel made me wish to repeat its prequel just to enjoy the proceedings yet again, it is this film. As Kittu, Ishita Dutta is effective, especially in the way she enacts the false alarms of impending delivery. Gautami Kapoor is good as Ayesha’s mother, and so is Meezaan Jafferi as Ayesha’s childhood friend, but his (real-life) father, Jaaved Jafferi, reprising his role as Ashish’s best friend and advisor, scores high. Tarun Gahlot as Ayesha’s brother is competent, while Suhasini Mulay as the Nani with an incredibly sharp memory shines in that special sequence.
Come fun or drama, the dialogues are a superb mix of the poignant, dramatic and hilarious, and among the few songs, Babul ve by Shreya Ghoshal makes an impact at least within the film, especially in its lyrics by Kumaar.
Director Anshul Sharma, who had helmed the realistic and mid-stream Saare Jahaan Se Mehenga 12 years ago, enters the commercial stream with a vengeance, happily outgrowing his offbeat training grounds of No Smoking, Dev D. and Omkara (his first meeting ground with Devgn) and seamlessly blending into the Luv Ranjan school of humor with a sharp and progressive edge.
This film is strongly recommended as a value-for-money entertainer with some pertinent takeaways as well, all sugar-coated with dollops of humor.
Rating: ****
Luv Films’ & T-Series Films’ De De Pyaar De 2 Produced by: Luv Ranjan, Ankur Garg, Bhuishan Kumar & Krishan Kumar Directed by: Anshul Sharma Written by: Luv Ranjan & Tarun Jain Music: Aziz Nazan, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Avvy Sra, Sagar Bhatia, Payal Dev & Aditya Dev Starring: Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Rakul Preet Singh, Meezaan Jafferi , Jaaved Jafferi, Ishita Dutta, Gautami Kapoor, Tarun Gahlot, Suhasini Mulay, Ekavali Khanna, Gracy Goswami, Anvesha Vij & others
