The trailer of the much-talked-about film Gehraiyaan dropped few days ago and has left the audience divided.
The film centers around the drama and complexities of every relationship and the harsh reality of outgrowing them as well.
However, it seems to be romanticizing the idea of infidelity, or that’s what comes across in the trailer and the follow up promotional material. Most are even terming it as the modern-day Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna !
While this is probably a premature analysis, since we’ve only been exposed to a 2 minutes 42 seconds trailer and a song, I want to highlight the problematic superficial headlines and dialogue it has started.
Image from GehraiyaanThe promotions of the film started earlier this week and the internet is filled with press releases and fluff pieces about Gehraiyaan.
The few that got my attention were highlighting the “sizzling chemistry” between actors Deepika Padukone and Siddhant Chaturvedi in the new song Doobey.
While the on-screen chemistry is certainly “sizzling” and sensuous, it doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s showing you the first phase of “falling in love”, i.e. the honeymoon period. Everything is hunky dory in this phase anyway – you love everything about your new partner and the see the world through your rose-tinted glasses.
So are all the love-making scenes, popping champagne in a bathtub, etc. to be celebrated here or should we keep it to the theme of the film, because that’s what happens before things get messy… especially when you’re cheating on your partner.
My point is – is it the best way to promote such a subject by focusing on a “sizzling chemistry” in a song or perhaps talk about the complex theme about relationships or maybe even the essence of the song?
That said, I’m no expert in reviewing poetry / songs but I fell in love with the lyrics that seamlessly define the emotions of the two characters – drowned (doobey) in each other’s presence, without a care in the world. They are restless (besabar) because they’re aware of their forbidden relationship but unaware (bekhabar) why their connection is so strong.
The two were riding solo in their boats till they collided and became part of the ocean, free flowing in every breath (Lo kashtiyaan humaari hun takra gayi, leher leher dono ka dil besafar).
Image from GehraiyaanWhile all the intimacy between the characters is presented sensitively, let’s not forget the crux of the story – cheating!
Also, it certainly isn’t the first time this theme is being explored in a film. But it is perhaps the first time in a long time that its being presented on such a large scale with tremendous production value and star-power, that it has the burden or responsibility of steering the conversation.
Hope Gehraiyaan doesn’t encourage the stereotype of millennials and Gen-Z’s not being serious about the notion of love and commitment.
I wonder how the audience will perceive it – Do we simply enjoy the film for it aesthetic appeal and storyline or use it to drive a conversation about infidelity and its portrayal in films? Guess we’ll find out on February 11, 2022 on Amazon Prime Video.
Image from GehraiyaanPS: Doobey is a really soulful song that’s been on repeat on my Spotify for 2 days. Kudos to Ankur Tewari for designing it, composers by Kabeer Kathpalia a.k.a OAFF and Savera, writer Kausar Munir and singer by Lothika Jha.
