Film: Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Starcast: Sonam Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Juhi Chawla, Abhishek Duhan and Regina Cassandra
Director: Shelly Chopra Dhar
Story: ELKDTAL opens with Anil as Balbir Choudhary, dancing to Ishq Mittha with his young daughter Sweety (Sonam). Sonam bumps into Kuhu (Regina Cassandra), sweet smiles are exchanged,
Then comes Sahil Mirza (Rajkummar Rao), trying to evade his successful father’s (Kanwaljeet Singh) shadow and working with local playgroups while seeking out an ‘inspiration’. He bumps into Sonam at a theater rehearsal and next thing he is helping her run away from her brother Babloo (Abhishek Duhan).
After that Rajkummar’s ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’ moment happened and he heads out in the bylanes of Moga, Punjab search of his ‘inspiration’ accompanying him is aspiring actress Chhatro (Juhi Chawla) who is a caterer by profession and her character has the typical Punjabi flavour sweet and happy go lucky.
Just before the interval film changes gear with Sonam revealing her sexual orientation to Rajkummar and for the first time confessing her love for Regina to someone. Compared to first half the second half is eventful and the story unfolds in front of the audience.
Performances : Rajkumar Rao is on fire, he has again proved that why he is known as director’s actor. He has played Sahil’s character effortlessly. Whenever Juhi is on screen she is spreading smile and joy, her comedy timing is still the best. Abhishek whom we have seen in Patakha is very impressive. The new girl Regina is stunningly beautiful and acts well. Anil Kapoor as expected has done full justice to his role. Lastly Sonam Kapoor who has the guts to take up a character like this is really commendable. There should have been more scenes with the girls, the love story is vaguely constructed.
Music: by Rochak Kohli is not that impressive. The cult song Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is the only saviour.
Verdict: The film has a strong message of homosexuality and gender equality. This is a movie that will touch your hearts and stir your soul. A topic that none dared to address so openly, unabashedly and unapologetically. This is how love should be – boundless and free.
