The lovey Dovey moments are a mixed bag alternating between cute and cringe. But the film finds it feet once it explores the pressure of responsibilities and certain male ego. The best part of CMD is the character graph of Lakshya Lalwani’s Aarav. The repercussions of a violent moment and how he earns back Chandini’s love has been solidly written and enacted. Ananya Pandey as the titular Chandini continues to showcase her evolution with a strong act. The actress especially shines in the scenes of emotional fragility
Starcast: Lakshaya Lalwani, Ananya Pandey and others
Genre: Romance
Writer and director: Vivek Soni
Screenplay: Tushar Paranjape
Music: Sachin Jigar
Cinematography: Debojeet Ray
Producers: Karan Johar, Somen Mishra, Adar Poonawala etc
Production House: Dharma
The beginning portions of Vivek Soni’s Chand Mera Dil feel like a typical assemblage of campus romances. At one point the viewers are reminded of 2 states too mainly because of the engineering campus and a scene of Ananya Pandey’s Chandini entering a male hostel. There is also an undercurrent of Mani Ratnam’s Sakhi in the treatment of life post marriage. The movie feels like your average campus rom com until Chandini gets pregnant. The movie soon switches gears charting into some serious topics like the burden of responsibilities having an impact on relationships among others. The movie begins in US with Aarav finishing off his masters and Chandini congratulating him on a video call. But there is a layer of awkwardness underneath the short conversation, in the car Aarav reminiscences on how the two should have met now rather than the engineering college where everything started. In simple terms the story is about madness of youthful love and how the two become more responsible individuals winning in life as well as reconciling with a fresh start
A strong aspect of Chand Mera Dil is how it looks at the complexities of a marriage. Especially with two students who are trying to find their feet while managing multiple roles. Vivek Soni along with Tushar Paranjape get into a zone which most campus rom coms avoid and do a fine job with an unfiltered approach. The film gives an important message on how love alone isn’t enough to sustain a relationship. Perseverance and discipline is equally paramount to make sure that the relationship doesn’t crumble.
The confrontation scenes between Ananya and Lakshaya have a rawness with zero vanity. The two actors are particularly impressive in these dramatic moments. The characterization of Aarav also deserves a special mention. The man comes across as a chauvinist on a few occasions like the portion where he discourages Chandini from working. Similarly, a certain male ego is clearly visible in his sulking of Chandini getting a better job than him. Before the interval there is a moment where he snaps too showcasing his violent side.
But the film doesn’t justify Aarav’s loss of temper as hyper masculinity. Chandini leaves that night along with the daughter. She is very clear on self-respect being more important than love. Yes, Chandini hasn’t lost love for Aarav completely as she clearly says in a dialogue. At the same time for her a feeling of safety is more important. A subplot of Chandini’s broken family and how that plays a crucial role in her decisions adds emotional heft to the movie. The emotional fragility as well as a strong individuality has been superbly brought out by Ananya. Even the portion of Ananya being adamant on keeping the baby has been written and enacted with good psychological insight.
Coming back to Aarav the happy union feels earned rather than something obligatory. The redemption of the male protagonist has some touching scenes especially the ones with the on-screen daughter. Lakshaya Lalwani is successful in showcasing a different facet of him as an actor whether it’s the initial scenes of care or the darker areas.
As already mentioned in the beginning the lovey Dovey moments are a hit and miss. Aarav wearing the same color clothes as Chandini is interesting to begin with, soon though a tedium sets in with repetitiveness. Also, a 2 States inspired moment doesn’t quite land. It feels more like aping leaving little impact. But the scene of Aarav quitting smoking and his explanation makes for a lovely moment.
The supporting characters needed better fleshing too. The friends for example don’t have much personality. Also, Aarav’s strained equation with his parents needed better writing, having said Vidushi Kaul’s scenes as Aarav’s sister has been well written and enacted. Her honest opinion on Aarav’s actions without letting the sisterly feelings come in the way makes for a good watch. Some abrupt jump cuts also act as a turbulence. The transition of scenes is not always smooth.
Sachin Jigar’s music adds soul to the movie. The title track played on various occasions is excellent both in terms of composition and the colorful visuals. Shreya Ghoshal’s rendition of the title song deserves a special mention. Faheem Abdullah of Saiyaara handles the male voice and he does a competent job too though not on the same level as his last one. Other tunes like Aaitbaar and Khasiyat make for a soothing listen and watch too. Debojeet Ray’s cinematography consists of interesting frames mirroring the turbulent relationship.
Final word: Chand Mera Dil is worth watching for those who like complex love stories
