DEAR ZINDAGI is a drama movie directed by Gauri Shinde, starring Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan in…  

DEAR ZINDAGI is a drama movie directed by Gauri Shinde, starring Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead rules. The movie deals with Kaira (Bhatt) and her struggle to deal with her quarter life crisis, with the help of a therapist (Khan). Let me just start with addressing how much potential this movie had; it starts two extremely talented actors and a GREAT idea for its plot. Team that up with a critically acclaimed director like Gauri Shinde, who has such great experience with directing drama films (English Vinglish)... its a recipe for success. Sadly, much to my dismay, the film doesn't deliver. And that's primarily because of its HUGE problem with the screenplay. The film tries to present so many ideas that it tends to lost its main idea in the plot. This is seen mainly in the first half that's just a mess, but the film does pick up and manage to entertain in the second half. For one reason: Shah Rukh Khan. He effortlessly manages to channel his charisma and acting into bringing his role to life, and what helps is how beautifully his character is written. Alia Bhatt does the best with what she's given, especially in the more emotionally demanding scenes. That being said, the film does try something innovative, which is always fun to see. The conversations between Kaira and her therapist are always a delight, especially the dialogues that are heartwarming and universally relatable. In conclusion, DEAR ZINDAGI is a waste of potential, and that's disappointing once you realise what the film could have been. The screenplay could've been much better, had it been better constructed and didn't contain so many story arcs. But it's the heartfelt scenes and great acting and chemistry between the two lead stars that really make this film worthwhile. Keep your expectations low and the film may pleasantly surprise you. DEAR ZINDAGI- 5.5/10 

Relationships are actually very simple. Unless, we start putting every responsibility on one person…  

Relationships are actually very simple. Unless, we start putting every responsibility on one person to take care of each aspect of our life. Usually, that's a life partner. And that's where the simplicity ends. Perhaps that's why being friends is simpler and maybe the whole concept of marriage is flawed. Maybe not. Maybe we put too much pressure on that one person to take care of all dimensions of our life whereas we fell in love with that person for less than those dimensions. Children need validation and love. Unconditional love. And every one of us fears abandonment. Some more, some less. But we all have that fear based on our experiences. I do too. Just like you. Which is why perhaps we fear commitment. We fear giving it all. And we leave the other person before they can leave us, giving us a sense of power. The reality being we can never sustain any relationship that becomes more than just friends. If you've been abandoned by anyone you loved from all your heart, then the next time, you will love but you will not give it all, you'll not give your heart completely, knowing that 10% of your heart needs to be with you, just so you can sustain, breathe and stay alive while the other 90% is being broken. But then comes a thin line of not being able to stay in a commitment versus being on the defensive. Knowing that this is not permanent. One slight mistake and things will flip and you'll be abandoned once again. Is that something you can relate with? You bet! The movie evokes various emotions and more than that, a few questions. Why can't we have multiple soulmates for different things, different areas of interest in life? Why can't we have an intellectual soulmate, a cup of coffee soulmate, a professional soulmate, a funny soulmate, etc. that connect with us in different areas of life aka that fit like a jigsaw piece in a puzzle? Can one person do all these things? Not fair to that one person and this is why perhaps relationships fail? Why can't a woman have relationships with men before settling with one to find a good fit? Why is she labeled in our so-called-advanced society and men have no issues having multiple relationships? Why does a woman not have a choice? Why are we constantly looking to seek validation from our society? When we say "Log Kya Kahengey" who are these people we keep talking about? Why are we told to suppress our feelings of sadness, hatred, anger to keep the peace? If we don't learn how to express our emotions, how do we express love? Is our emotional system "Gadbadaya"? Is love one-dimensional? What are we seeking with having a life-long partner? Do our fears govern our relationships? Is fear a good thing? Can we trust people again after having abandoned once? How do we protect ourselves from getting hurt? Is it worth trusting people? Can we give without expecting? Do we all have a list of 5 safe people in our lives where we can be completely ourselves without any fear, any judgment and feel completely free? How does the next person that comes along compare with the level of safety with the 5 people that exist? Are relationships extremely dysfunctional in our society? Are we really independent or are we lying to ourselves? Are relationships complex or simple? Or are we making them complex by over-analyzing them? Can science and lectures supersede basic human instinct of just loving unconditionally and not being extremely selfish or extremely selfless? It felt like I read a book on a simple journey of a girl Kaira who fears getting abandoned and how her relationships suffer as a result of this fear. How she goes about suppressing her feelings all her life and not confront her fears, becomes passive-aggressive with the way she expresses her emotions. Perhaps not even knowing what her fears are. The movie is an experience for sure. You can read a few books that it seems to have derived its philosophies from or just experience the emotions with the movie. 

After English Vinglish, Gauri Shinde is Back with Bang! She Directed the film very well. Music is…  

After English Vinglish, Gauri Shinde is Back with Bang! She Directed the film very well. Music is simply Soulful, #LoveYouZindagi 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 USP of the film. Classy Production Designing, Editing is Sharp & Crispy. Climax is simply Outstanding. Dialogues are well written & wonderful at many places. The show belongs to Alia Bhatt, Alia looks stunning and surrenders herself completely to the director's vision and delivers a knockout performance. The film will make even the skeptics take a note of Alia's talent, as she handles several challenging episodes in the film like a seasoned, mature performer. Her lengthy sequence in the climax is absolutely terrific. Shahrukh Khan Steals the Show all the Way. He gave Top Notch Performance. He is the REAL KING of Bollywood. What a Terrific Performance by him! His best film since My Name Is Khan? Also, outstanding Performances by all Supporting Actors Kunal Kapoor, Angad Bedi & Ali Zafar. On the whole, DEAR ZINDAGI is a remarkable motion picture. It's amusing, emotional, heartrending and also insightful. An inspiring film with an overwhelming message. A must-watch for Youth. Strongly Recommended to all of u..!! 10/10 

After English Vinglish, Gauri Shinde is Back with Bang! She Directed the film very well. Music is…  

After English Vinglish, Gauri Shinde is Back with Bang! She Directed the film very well. Music is simply Soulful, #LoveYouZindagi 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 USP of the film. Classy Production Designing, Editing is Sharp & Crispy. Climax is simply Outstanding. Dialogues are well written & wonderful at many places. The show belongs to Alia Bhatt, Alia looks stunning and surrenders herself completely to the director's vision and delivers a knockout performance. The film will make even the skeptics take a note of Alia's talent, as she handles several challenging episodes in the film like a seasoned, mature performer. Her lengthy sequence in the climax is absolutely terrific. Shahrukh Khan Steals the Show all the Way. He gave Top Notch Performance. He is the REAL KING of Bollywood. What a Terrific Performance by him! His best film since My Name Is Khan? Also, outstanding Performances by all Supporting Actors Kunal Kapoor, Angad Bedi & Ali Zafar. On the whole, DEAR ZINDAGI is a remarkable motion picture. It's amusing, emotional, heartrending and also insightful. An inspiring film with an overwhelming message. A must-watch for Youth. Strongly Recommended to all of u..!! 10/10 

This has to be the best movie of the last 2 years. SRK was the only reason I watched this movie,…  

This has to be the best movie of the last 2 years. SRK was the only reason I watched this movie, but this movie is not just about SRK, this movie is beyond that and the story, the dialogues, the chemistry between SRK and Alia and the simplicity of the movie was Outstanding. This is personally my favorite movie of SRK after his 1998 title DIL SE.This is one of those movies that makes you think. I was not that impressed with the 4 takes they released but now I understand why they did that. The movie is 100000x better than the teasers. This movie is a Must Watch. You cant miss out on this! Please do not watch this movie at home or online, If you are a true Indian, then GO WATCH IT IN THE THEATER ONLY !!! 10/10 

I saw the first day, first showing in Maryland, USA. I was expecting light entertainment to pick up…  

I saw the first day, first showing in Maryland, USA. I was expecting light entertainment to pick up my spirits. Dear Zindagi is so much more! Alia Bhatt is superb as the hard-working, talented cinematographer whose love life is a disaster. Instead of the old message -- all you need is the right guy -- Gauri Shinde has delivered a fresh story for the 21st century. Shah Rukh Khan hits all the right notes as her therapist, without overshadowing Bhatt with his star power. The rest of the cast is a wonderful, complex ensemble of friends, family, and failed relationships. This is an Indian film that will win hearts globally. 

This movie does relate with each and everyone of us. Not going to spoil any thing about plot. Dear…  

This movie does relate with each and everyone of us. Not going to spoil any thing about plot. Dear Zindigi got all those essential thing to make it one of the best movie of all time. Direction, cinematography, editing, story, music every thing is done really perfectly. But the main thing, the acting. Alia Bhatt has given her best performance, her performance will blow your mind away. And I don't think I am capable to criticize about Shahrukh Khan. This is another stylish, energetic, and an masterpiece movie of Shahrukh khan. this movie dose shows Shahrukh Khan as ans actor rather then Star. This movie is here to impress you. It is an must watch movie for everyone. 

Director and writer, Mrs. Gauri Shinde is very good at her work. Every frame is beautiful and adds…  

Director and writer, Mrs. Gauri Shinde is very good at her work. Every frame is beautiful and adds something to the scene, character or film, like kid wearing unusual goggles made with cycle chainsaw wheel design ,which leads a beautiful conversation between two main characters. When director witnesses the film on paper, such type of crispiness comes alive. Story is simple journey of life, emotionally involving with others especially opposite gender. Screenplay is very impressing and of today's. In starting few minutes, girl breaks the news to her boyfriend that she has slept with another guy in very casual way, which clearly gives hint of what type of film this is going to be. Boy also reacts in subtle ways without any over the note drama. In another scene engagement of another male person to someone else is revealed to the girl very casually but effectively. There is not, any so called and underlined key scenes but if you can notice every scene conveys something. Introduction of all characters is very casual without minding their star value. The lead female character has something which is messing inside her is shown in very subtle ways in beginning, like turning by its side of an auto rickshaw miniature, sofa cushion and other things. After a long time I watched a film which doesn't have dialogues but intelligent interactions. Psychologist interpretation with chair for the person past in girl's life to help her to come over her self guilt is so cute and even last frame of film ends with this note. First half is full of happening but second half slows a bit. It becomes repetitive and preachy somehow without any happening. Climax is very practical and brave, without minding typical cinema point of view of love angle between two main actors. Even supportive actors character, especially lead girl friends are conceived brilliantly supported by very good performance too. Performance wise Alia Bhatt is out standing. In every frame her reactions are superb. Shah Rukh Khan should have been appreciated to accept such type of real character. He is impressive. Yashaswini Dayama as Jackie, Kaira female friend is very good. Rest cast are just fine. 

I suggest people that don't go to watch this 'bakwas'. it is as usual his movie that unfold the…  

I suggest people that don't go to watch this 'bakwas'. it is as usual his movie that unfold the arms. and worst romantic. don't waist your time for this. i don't think why people give this type of movies. but nothing is special. worst movie of Bollywood.That being said, the film does try something innovative, which is always fun to see. The conversations between Kaira and her therapist are always a delight, especially the dialogues that are heartwarming and universally relatable. conclusion of the movie is that very very bad screen play and it is waste of time. this waste of time id realized when you sit for watching after 30 minute 

Dear Zindagi could've been an interesting movie and a story worth telling. Unfortunately, it fails.…  

Dear Zindagi could've been an interesting movie and a story worth telling. Unfortunately, it fails. Very few movies dare to tell a story tackling mental health. 3 points just for doing that and making an attempt. If a movie is made on a demanding story, it should be made with utmost honesty and dedication. If not they should be left unmade. Dear Zindagi is one such demanding story. Sadly, her demands were not met. I agree with you if you're thinking it's easier to review a movie than make one. That's why we leave it to the professionals. There is a scene in the movie Main Hoon Na where Naseeruddin Shah's character fails to convince Kiron Kher's character to accept him and the young SRK. She is not willing to accept SRK and Naseeruddin can't abandon him. While leaving the house he doesn't slam the door shut. He just pulls it slowly, the door closes behind him but the latch doesn't click. It can signify that he knows the matter is closed for discussion and nothing can be done about it, at least for now. Yet he is hopeful Kiron will forgive him and accept both of them in due course. It can also mean that the Kiron may have closed the door on the matter, but he hasn't. It can also mean the door to the family getting back together is still open from his side. An actor's job is to go through all the emotions a character is experiencing and portray the relevant ones for us. That's what is called getting under the skin of the character. Only an actor can do that, not a star. A star is just a marketable face or a marketable face yet to become an actor. This movie needed actors but the director chose marketable faces instead. Alia plays Kaira, a budding cinematographer with love and commitment issues. She ditches before she is ditched. She is heartbroken when ditched by a producer boyfriend. She goes back to Goa, her home town. The problem is she has issues with her parents too and she is unable to sleep at night in spite of popping sleeping pills. One day while shooting a film for a hotel, she finds out a Mental Health seminar is underway. She hesitatingly enters the hall and finds SRK, one of the therapists on the panel, speaking. Somewhat impressed, she decides to meet him and undergo counseling. Thus begins therapy. An attempt to understand why she is depressed, why she can't sleep, why she has a pattern of ditching boyfriends, what bothers her, what is she afraid of etc. And to heal her past and fears on the way. Terrific premise but the movie has literally nothing going for it. Alia doesn't look like a depressed protagonist. She looks confused at times but not depressed. Her make up and cinematography make it even more difficult. The cinematography is great but not thematic, that's why not relevant. Every scene is beautifully lit. Only an actor can enact the characters feelings and turmoil irrespective of the the kind of lighting used in the scene. Stars need additional support which they don't get. There is not a single scene where the color tones or lighting match Alia's state of mind. Because the scenes are bright and well lit, they give the movie a youthful look and feel. How can a movie about mental health look youthful all the time? You have to have scenes that introduce the issue. It's not possible with bright and well lit scenes and with a star in it. Also, she looks too young to be a cinematographer. She doesn't look Goan either. Her torn jeans and shorts make her look even younger. Proper costume design could've made her look the character's age. SRK doesn't look like a therapist. If the two most important actors in the movie, don't get to go under the skin of the character, you can't expect others to. Alia friends barring Fatty look juvenile and childish. Why do people around a protagonist have to sound immature or clueless? What does that tell you about the protagonist? Then there is a scene where she blasts her parents but they keep quiet. They don't say anything in their defense. Do they accept they're wrong? Why didn't they try to offer a justification? Was there a reason why they did what they did? The movie doesn't explore these questions making it a one-sided affair. Healing doesn't occur when you realize or accept you weren't treated right. If that's the case many in the world will become healthy upon realization. Psychological healing always begins with acceptance, letting go and forgiveness. There were a few scenes where Alia tries to hide her depression. After having two shots of vodka, she hits the dance floor while listening to the music on her phone and not the one being played. And when she eats raw green chili to stop herself from crying. The scenes are too predictable, that's why they fail to convince. Another point, little Alia doesn't look like she would grow up to resemble the protagonist. Why couldn't the makers hire capable Casting Directors like Mukesh Chhabra? He would've surely found the right 'little Alia'. Stars can also act if they get a good script and a good director. The issue is with both script and direction. Guess what, they are handled by the same person, Gauri Shinde. I haven't seen English Vinglish but here she undermines audience's intelligence and time, not to mention money. The result is a film like Dear Zindagi in which an excellent opportunity is wasted. To make matters worse, it has below par music and poorly written songs. The title track is the only song worth listening. What could've been India's answer to Good Will Hunting fails to build any goodwill. 

DEAR ZINDAGI - Why English WINGLISH(debut movie of the director) was a great film is that it was…  

DEAR ZINDAGI - Why English WINGLISH(debut movie of the director) was a great film is that it was very much relatable to real life. Thats not the case here. All this movie wants to do is to teach about ZINDAGI , but most of the things happened in the movie is either things which you don't relate or the things you already knows. Take this as a basis, KAIRA (Alia) is an independent working girl. Ambitious , beautiful , attract a lot of boys , have very good friends, getting good opportunities at work as cinematographer(that's pretty awesome) still she has a lot of problem. Its like you are unhappy with everything happening good in your life. And there is no bad luck , anything bad happens in her life were just because of her bad decisions. And those problems were by themselves were not that big as big as KAIRA makes them. i mean she cries because his landlord said her to leave her room because she is not married. So what , she wasn't poor or something , its not like she will not get anymore rooms in Mumbai , whats the big deal. Thats the big reason why its hard to sympathies for her. All the breakups she does are her own decisions , not a single boy in the film is really a bad person. In-fact nobody did anything wrong with her. She doesn't even behave good around her parents. WHY? . Well the movie did answer that question , almost after 80% movie is finished. And that time you were not in the mood of thinking all the way back to those uninteresting and long therapy sessions as its a 2 an a half hour unnecessarily long film. Alia is good , but she never matches what she did in HIGHWAY or UDTA PUNJAB , but cant complain. Some scenes were there when she shows her real potential , but those were very few. SRK is just SRK. He just talked normally. Like he talks in Koffee With Karan or like he cracks jokes in Kapil Sharma show. His character doesn't have anything unique to make him different from the personality of SRK himself. Among the boyfriends i like Ali Zafar most. Its too bad that two songs sung by himself in the movie has been released in Arijit Singh's voice in the music album. i Don't understand this obsession of everybody with Arijit Singh. By the way , songs doesn't add much to the movie. Direction is good but the screenplay is weak. The movies have too many conversation , which should have been interesting but its not. SRK in running through a rough patch. Dilwale and FAN both were flop. And FAN was definitely better then this. So i don't think much of a good result here at the box office. DEAR ZINDAGI is definitely not a movie to watch in theater , not even a must watch on your laptop , nor much of anything for die hard SRK fans (their may be something for ALia's fans). Although i am not saying its a bad movie , but its hard to give you an exact reason to watch this movie except for burning time. Unless you are too much frustrated with you life and don't know what to do, those will be the only kind of persons who can rightfully relate to this movie. Everybody else just chill out , because life is too sweet to hate it. 6.4/10 By ANuP APu KuMaR 

Dear Zindagi is specially for confused people who are serching for their purpose. In Dear Zindagi…  

Dear Zindagi is specially for confused people who are serching for their purpose. In Dear Zindagi Shah Rukh Khan is again proved his Steel Very Good acting by SRK. Alia Bhatt is also looking natural & confident in this role. The new generation feel a attachment with the story line of the movie. I have little bit doubt regarding this movie is worth to watch or not but after seeing this i am satisfied with he movies story & fabulous acting performances by Shah Rukh Khan & Alia Bhatt. This is must watch for youth because of its content. This also cleared that Shah Rukh Khan is choosing more promising scripts from last 2 years. This also a sign that SRK is coming back in natural mode.