The pure Urdu spoken in Dedh Ishqiya is like melodious music to the ears. The way Madhuri Dixit and Naseeruddin Shah say their dialogues, you appreciate the beauty and the royalty of the language all the more.
The pure Urdu spoken in Dedh Ishqiya is like melodious music to the ears. The way Madhuri Dixit and Naseeruddin Shah say their dialogues, you appreciate the beauty and the royalty of the language all the more. Thanks to the subtitles, laymen like us could decode the smooth poetry behind those fascinating Urdu words.
There’s nothing heavy-duty about the film, it’s not frothy either. It’s one of those flicks that transports you to an artistic world, a place where you get to satiate your hunger for some ‘feel-good’ shayari and some great classical dancing.
Arshad Warsi(Babban) and Naseeruddin Shah (Khalu jaan) are possibly the most adorable goons ever. They may swindle people and pull a fast one on the cops, but when it comes to the matters of the heart, the two are these mushy and emotional dreamy-eyed lovers jumping at the thought of completing the seven stages of love (you will know what they are when you watch the film).
The chemistry between Naseeruddin Shah and Madhuri Dixit is crackling. You can practically feel the love vibes when Shah gently holds Begum Para’s (Madhuri) hands out of sheer affection or dedicates an intense sher to her. Huma Qureshi and Arshad on the other hand are wild and dangerous. Huma as Muniya does a great job of stepping into the fiery shoes of Madhuri’s loyal confidante.
Khalu jaan poses as a nawab in order to win the gorgeous Begum Para’s heart in the movie. It’s a ritual for the Begum to summon renowned poets from all across the world and make them gather at her mahal. It’s a swayamver celebrated with great hoo-ha. It was her late husband’s last wish that his wife marries a man who is a poet with an imagination and whose poetry touches your soul. Begum Para and Khalu strike a chord the moment they meet, bonding over the many ‘arz kiya hai’ and ‘irshaads’. But there’s someone else too who’s desperately seeking the love and attention of Ms Para.
Vijay Raaz plays the wicked Jaan Mohammed in the movie. The actor’s potential is finally utilised to the fullest – he’s neither the laughing stock nor some repulsive side villain, he plays a very substantial part and Kudos to him for brining just the right amount of eccentricity to his character.
Along with an interesting twist, the film also abounds with Madhuri’s graceful Kathak moves. Talking about her dancing, the other person worth the mention is Bhakti Deshpande who plays the younger Madhuri in the film. A Birju Maharaj student, her dancing is an absolute visual delight.
Dedh Ishqiya is wholesome – it has romance, a bit of funny action and a lot of aesthetic value. Watch it for the fact that a unique film is made after a long time in Bollywood.
