Aafat-e-Ishq

Interesting, refreshing watch, fun and enjoyable, how can anything with even a glimpse of Ila Arun and Amit Sial be anything less than good (it's 100 times better than hum do hamare do, not that it's any kind of benchmark, felt so as watched both on the same day)

Namit Das and Deepak Dobriyal have done some excellent work.

Recently I watched Aafat-e-Ishq on Zee OTT. I mean I just accidentally stumbled upon it upon knowing that it was an official remake of Liza , Fox Fairy...Hungarian Award winner. That aspect of it being a remake/adaptation was enough to spike my curiosity as I have always been interested in Indian remakes and had really liked them! Sadak inspired from Taxi Driver and Ghulam...an Indian remake of On the waterfront. There is this article also I wrote on the art of existential adaptation years ago. Anyways...coming back to film, I have to say that I liked it.

I mean...yes there was a slowing down of narrative and at times I felt that it is a bit difficult to watch the film but the characters and the meticulous visual design really made me admire this little quirky film with a heart. Neha Sharma evoked sympathy as the innocent protagonist of the movie who is dealing with a curse serves as the foundation of the film but what really made it different than others was this Burtonesque (Tim Burton) world director Indrajit Nattoji has created. The director is known for his visual art and the posters he had made for the film Sandeep and Pinky Faraar was top notch along with the awesome hand-painted Rang Saari video he directed. The visual flair, love for the animation and the impulse it make it feel postmodern and an experience to go through rather than the movie to watch is present in Aafat-e-Ishq. Deepak Dobariyal as the funny Metal music loving cop is brilliant and I really longed to see more of his character. Namit Das really performed his character well and has a funny and endearing presence throughout the film; only in the end it was a delight to know why he was like that. The best section o the film which is kinda savior the film as far as main stream audience is concerned is the end and has a genuine heartbeat to it !

The movie really felt like an ensemble of curious characters in the tradition of mainstream Indie cinema and that is where it stood out for me. It is clear that this movie was aiming to be entertaining not aiming to be what we call filmy and box office pleaser and that I guess gives it a sort of amateur spirit and visual flair. Aafat-e-Ishq felt like the one made by a painter with a heart who has stepped in the world of cinema and trying to make people see the medium differently. Perhaps that is where it succeeds and also perhaps that is where it fails. Even if it doesn't feel like a movie hasn't worked in totality, it is a effort to be really encouraged and expect promise from. Remember Aks (2001) .when it came audience panned it because it was unusual and surreal and Hindi film audience wasn't ready for that (although it is one of the favorite film of mine). The point is that it was the glimpse of a vision who would claim his place in cinema pantheon later with Rang De Basanti. I don't know why but this movie reminded me of Aks but will this sort of vision will lead to something really remarkable in future. Only time can tell. I am keeping some hope for sure.

Different kind of bollywood Romantic movie where neha is so innocent in the movie & the character of Deepak Dobriyal was too good, so overall it is not a must watch movie if you don't have enough time you skip the movie...😍😍😍

Set in a small town, the movie offers a novelty factor to it. The subject matter is unique. A suspenseful ending adds to the beauty. Great production designing and direction. All in all a good watch.

Title is misleading. It should be changed. Movie was unique, engaging plot and quirky characters. Definitely worth a watch. Performances were superb. Neha Sharma was a surprise package.