Motion Picture Reviews and Insights- Vaishali Adwant

Coming of age film that stars Ananya Pandey, Siddharth Chatirvedi, and Adarsh Gourav in the lead roles. A light-hearted film that skims through how we get spent on social media and does not meander through the pros and cons of it. This is the story about the lives of three best friends Ahana(Ananya), Imaad(Siddharth), and Neil(Adarsh) who deal with dilemmas and have ups and downs in their lives. Imaad is a stand-up comedian, Neil a gym trainer, and Ahana a corporate employee. Their story is relatable because it connects well with today’s audience.

The movie shows how social media has become an integral part of our lives. The film does not delve into the depth of how social media has impacted our lives but give insights into how real connections are more meaningful.

Imaad takes jibes at people and does not even spare his best friend Neil and uses his personal life tidbits to create content for stand-up acts. The film reminds us how we have forgotten to draw a line between our social and private lives and to respect other’s privacy. Imaad has intimacy issues and his comedy acts are a cover up for the inner scars he has been dealing with for years to heal. He goes on one night stands until one day he meets Simran(Kalki Koechlin) which changes his perception about relations.

Neil comes from a middle class family and stays with his parents. He has ideological differences with his parents about his life and ambitions. He spends his income on buying expensive items and is in love with a social media influencer Lala who uses him to beat her boredom. Neil is ambitious of starting his own gym. He deals with inferiority complex and self-esteem issues which stop him from looking at his life realistically. Cameo of Malaika Arora adds an interesting angle to the plot.

Ahana has problems with her boyfriend Rohan who dumps her for a hot chick. She is heart-broken but shows how happy she is on her Instagram profile. Numerous incidents in the movie are relatable to our everyday lives; the way we perceive, think, and react in today’s world using social media as a clutch to show our fake lives.

Ananya, Siddharth, and Adarsh have given stupendous performances that seem natural and effortless. The film follows the template of Dil Chahata Hai and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara in the treatment of its subject and does not get into the depth. The movie shows how the Gen Z perceives life and their own self-worth living in the illusion and false perceptions formed being on social media; only to find meaning in real connections. Kho Gaye Hum Kaha is a well written movie with enough relatable situations and pun-intented liners which makes it a worthy watch.