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Finally saw Dear Zindagi. I hope this one isn't as exaggerated as my previous reviews. Gauri Shinde is a really brilliant director, she knows how make good characters by casting perfect actors in them. Alia Bhatt plays the role of a life time. She is excellent through out the movie. The character has extreme depth and very well written. Her performance is almost as good as her role in Udta Punjab if not better. Shah Rukh Khan is a breath of fresh air. Right from the first scene to his final scene. His and Alia Bhatt's chemistry was brilliant. Great Role by him. Ali Zafar, Kunal Kapoor, Angad Bedi and Aditya Roy Kapur are extremely well placed and help Kiara's story move forward. Pluses- Story, Acting, Cinematography, Second half, The scenes which feature Srk and Alia. The family moments of Kiara and her family, her Friends. The execution of the entire movie from event to event. The whole final act which leaves you in a happy mood. The breakdown sequence. The maturity in the direction which takes the movie into a new level. The Dialogues given to SRK. Negatives- The music is good but isn't great. The Editing in the first half could have been better. If you have enjoyed movies like Wake Up Sid, Kapoor and Sons Rockstar, Queen, English Vinglish . Go for this one. One of the best movies of the year. Something which has come kind of close to Udta Punjab.

I need to warn you about "Dear Zingadi". It's a film you likely will not enjoy...at least for the first half of the story. Now this does NOT mean you shouldn't see it. On the contrary, it's a really amazing film...one of the best Bollywood films I've seen in some time.

The story is about Kaira (Alia Bhatt) a young woman who SHOULD be happy but desperately hates herself and her life...though she really has no idea this is so. But she knows she's vaguely unsatisfied...particularly in most of her close relationships. She is disconnected emotionally from her parents and she has a series of relationships or near relationships with men where she destroys them. Eventually, she does something drastic...she seeks therapy.

Her therapist, Dr. Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) is extremely odd and repeatedly he says and does things which confuse her. He certainly does NOT act like a therapist and she often leaves sessions a bit confused. Where is all this leading? See the film and don't try to guess why!

While the film isn't perfect, it's actually one of the best films I've seen about psychotherapy and the therapeutic process. Being a trained psychotherapist myself, I could really appreciate this. Sure...they didn't get every detail perfect...but the writing for Kaira and SRK was spot on...and very intelligent as well.

Overall, this is a difficult film to predict as it often avoids the usual cliches. Often you see them coming...only to have the film go a different direction. This is particularly true with Kaira...as at first she seemed like the overused cliche of the spoiled rich girl who eventually becomes kind and decent. And, when it didn't exactly go that way, I was thrilled. The same can be said about the therapist. Dr. Khan's bowing out of her life was done in a somewhat unexpected manner...and I love it when films surprise me. To top this off, kudos to Bhatt for her fine acting...and you really notice this late in the film. As for SRK, he's wonderful...like we know he can be when he gets excellent material. A nearly perfect film.

By the way, if you care, the inkblots you see from the Rorschach Test in the film are two real ones. Often TV and films show fake ones but they are the real thing.

After English Vinglish, Gauri Shinde is Back with Bang! She Directed the film very well. Music is simply Soulful, #LoveYouZindagi and #AeZindagiGaleLagaLe is already HIT Among the Youth. Cinematography is Eye Catching. Watertight Story & Screenplay. There is no dull moment throughout the flick. Fast Paced First & Second Half. That's the finest part of the film. Classy Production Designing, Editing is Sharp & Crispy. Climax is simply Outstanding. Dialogues are well written & wonderful at many places.  Shah Rukh Khan is a breath of fresh air. Right from the first scene to his final scene. His and Alia Bhatt's chemistry was brilliant.  Story was very thought provoking.It changes the way you look at your life at your destiny.Story is pure work of class and hard work put in by Gauri Shinde. "Don't let your past blackmail your present to ruin your beautiful future. SHAH RUKH's charm took the movie to a different level. This movie is not a genre of all the audiences but for the ones who love classy Movies not massy ones.

Pros: Shah Rukh back at his best. Great and flawless story. Cinematography is brilliant All the hard work put in by whole team

Cons:None that I can find, only thing is the editing could have been more better and the music could have been more good.

At the end I strongly recommend it to everyone to go and watch this movie. Its one in a million type of movie.Don't miss it. So I Rate it 8 out of 10 stars but this film is a classic.

DEAR ZINDAGI REVIEW : It's Second Consecutive Classic for Director Gauri Shinde, Best Film Of Aliaa Bhatt's Career till now and Best Film of SRK as a Supporting Actor. I think my first sentence is enough to describe so much about film, still i'm excited to write more.

Story - It's Simple, realistic and Interesting story but still No one has ever dared to make a Film on it, so Gauri Wins it here only. Some scenes looks repetitive and unnecessary but still it has everything to Impress audience.

Acting - If you think Highway was best what Aliaa could have done then Dear Zindagi proves it wrong. Aliaa raises her bar, her Best Performance till date. She will fight with Sonam Kapoor for Best Actress Award this year. SRK steals the show from the very first appearance, and keeps you hook till the End with his Unbeatable Charm. I expect Best Supporting Actor Award for him. He made it look like that Character is written for him only. Supporting Starcast is Highly impressive.

Screenplay - With Runtime of 149 Minutes Dear Zindagi has Entertaining and Engaged Screenplay. Few scenes are just Highly Classy like I could not resist and sent Flying Kisses to Screen and SRK's Last Scene makes you Senti. It nearly does not have any loo breaks, only few Moments in 2nd half might irritate you.

Music - We all Know Amit Trivedi never delivered Massy Chartbuster Album, but his Music helps Film's Screenplay and theme. Not a Single Hit Song but 'Just Go To Hell' is terrific Situational Song, 'Love You Zindagi' is good as an Audio, 'Tu Hi Hai' is a Let down.

Dialogues - As it is an Offbeat and Multiplex Audience Film, almost 30% dialogues are in English. Few Clap Worthy, Deep and Life Lessons type of Dialogues are there along with couple of Vulgar words.

Cinematography - Film looks fresh and eye pleasing for almost every scene but few scenes could have been shot better. Natural beauty has been captured well.

Direction - I loved and started believing Gauri Shinde with her very first flick English Vinglish and she doesn't break Belief here. Direction is Top Class especially in some Motivational Scenes. Few scenes have minuses, for instance Make up, Aliaa looks dull in couple of scenes and SRK looks 10 year older in that Ship scene. Gauri Shinde should be the Best Female Director in today's Era. But the Problem is Both of her Films are only for Multiplex Audience, i would love to see her making a Massy + Classy Film. No doubts, No One could have dared to make Urban Classic films English Vinglish and Dear Zindagi except Gauri Shinde.

Final Words - Dear Zindagi should be considered as Highly Urban Audience Classic, actually its not a Classic for me i mean Gauri just missed that Tag by few Inches, but still it is a Must Watch film for Classes. After watching film you will come back home with some Life Lessons and might try to live Life in Different way. Thank you Gauri, Aliaa and SRK for this Beautiful and Sweet Film. I would have gone with 7/10* Stars but giving 8/10* stars, 1 Extra for that SRK's never ending Charm. Go for it, do not miss this Kaira and Jug's Sweet Journey...

Dear Zindagi… The second directorial venture by Gauri Shinde is like a heave of fresh air amidst the daily hustle and bustle of our busy, monotonous and somewhat mechanical life. At times, one just needs to stop by, appreciate one's beautiful life and say "Dear Zindagi, we haven't met for a while, so just came by to say, 'Hi'…" just as Alia Bhatt does at the end of the film. The movie is not for people looking forward to a 'masala flick' or some intense romantic offering by Mr. Shah Rukh Khan. It mainly gives you a 2.5 hour of 'soul-searching' opportunity wherein you can shower nothing else but only appreciation and praise for the sheer acting prowess demonstrated by Ms. Alia Bhatt, playing a cinematographer in the film. She emotes and connects effortlessly. It is her film. She proves again that why she is undoubtedly one of the best actors of her time. Coming to Dr. Jehangir Khan (Mr. Shah Rukh Khan), a psychiatrist by profession, you realize how simplicity can sometimes be a Genius. There is no question about his acting, but off late, his choice of roles was being doubted and the standard of movies he was acting in. But in this movie, he proves his mettle yet again. He doesn't let you feel his star presence and overshadow Alia, but helps her acting genius flow in the river of his experience, persona, poise and simplicity. He is a complete treat to our eyes and hearts. The entire supporting cast does a decent job as well. The film successfully tickles your funny bone in parts but seems to be a bit stretchy in the middle and slows down, but gears up as the end approaches. Gauri Shinde's direction is good, if not extraordinary, given the expectations I had from her, post English Vinglish. The music by Amit Trivedi is worth accolades and does justice to the film. Overall, the film has a 'feel-good' factor and the audience would relate to Leonardo da Vinci's apt quote that "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" while leaving the theaters with a smile on their faces