Dil Bechara Movie Review

Dil Bechara which in reality means a helpless heart, is an adaptation of John Green's popular novel "The Fault In Our Stars". 

Set in Jamshedpur Kizie Basu (Sanjana Sanghi) a young college going student is a thyroid cancer patient fighting for life and is on oxygen support. She comes across Immanuel Rajkumar Junior Manny (Sushant Singh Rajput), who changes her life forever. Both Kizie and Manny develop a bond and liking for each other. Their sweet and cute chemistry grows on you. Kizie has a wish of meeting her favourite musician Abhimanyu Vaid. Will Manny be able to fulfill her wish? What does life have in store for both Kizie and Manny?

Movie is heartwarming and emotional. It leaves the viewer with a good message. Direction by Mukesh Chhabra in his debut movie is wonderful. Some movie scenes are heartbreaking and will bring tears to your eyes.  Choreography by Farah Khan in the title song is superb. 

Sushant Singh Rajput shines with a stellar performance in, what turned out to be his last fillm. He is intense, sensitive, lively and vulnerable. Sanjana Sanghi makes a promising debut. The supporting cast of Saswata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee are superb. Manny's best friend played by Sahil Vaid is also very good.

Soundtrack by A.R Rahman has some great foot tapping numbers and melodies. Lyrics are penned well by Amitabh Bhattacharya. 

Its an emotional and teary farewell to a budding actor, the late Sushant Singh Rajput. It is possibly his best shot. He will live in our hearts and minds forever.

**** stars

Aarya Web Series Review

Aarya means a noble woman. It also happens to be another name for Goddess Parvati.

Aarya a crime based drama, the Indian version of the popular Spanish series Penoza. The story set in Rajasthan is about Aarya Sareen and her family which includes three children and her husband Tej Sareen (Chandrachur Singh). Tej is running a family business of opium along with his partners which includes his brother-in-law. The family's happiness is short-lived as one fine day Tej is shot dead by an unidentified man. 

Aarya has to take a decision on whether to continue this business which she has stayed away for many years. This will include dealing with drug mafia and incomplete business deals. 

How far will Aarya go to save her family? What difficulties will she face along the way if she decides to continue with the business?

The show is slow at start but then picks up pace. It has suspense with twists & turns. The plot is well-written with detailed characters and smooth storytelling. All characters are important as each of them have a role to play. Direction by Ram Madhvani is fantastic. Dialogues are spot on. 

ACP Khan played by Vikas Kumar is superb.   Other actors who are spectacular include Sikandar Kher as Daulat, Namit Das as Jawahar who also happens to be one of the business partners and Manish Choudhary as Shekhawat. Chandrachur Singh in a cameo is good. Other actors also leave a mark. But it is Sushmita Sen who makes a terrific comeback and is the heart of the show. 

The show has a song inspired by Bhagvad Gita which has been composed well by Vishal Khurana. It uses Shlokas with the analogy between Mahabharat and Aarya's character. 

The series ends in a cliff-hanger meaning it will return for a second season. One is looking forward to it. 

A gripping and slick show now streaming on Hotstar. 

***.5 stars