Hum Films’ “Daghabaaz Dil” is not just your typical desi wedding comedy flick; it delivers an unexpected surprise. Read our full review of the movie…
Reluctantly, we headed to the movie theater, anticipating just another wedding-filled desi comedy. To our surprise, it delivered an unexpected twist in this otherwise predictable wedding shenanigan.
Daghabaaz Dil is written by Mohsin Ali & Wajahat Rauf, produced by HUM Network Ltd. and Wajahat Rauf, Shazia Wajahat & Badar Ikram are the producers, directed by Wajahat Rauf. The cast includes Mehwish Hayat, Ali Rehman, Momin Saqib, Babar Ali, Beo Raana Zafar, Laila Wasti, Saleem Sheikh, Tazeen Hussain, Michelle Mumtaz, Ayesha Khan and others.
It’s a seemingly successful blend of Eid masala and a dash of fantasy which is drawing audiences to the cinemas. It’s a unique mix of desi wedding comedy with a sprinkle of the supernatural, offering a ‘fantastical’ twist.
The Plotline To Give You The Gist!
Beo Raana Zafar portrays the grandmother, Dado, the matriarch who longs to witness her estranged sons reconcile, bury their grievances, and move forward. Her strategy? Arrange a marriage between their children, believing it will resolve property disputes and mend broken hearts in a snap. Babar Ali and Saleem Sheikh depict Faris and Zoya’s fathers, two brothers consumed by their desire for the family inheritance and always bickering over it, overshadowed only by their sister’s insistence on her rather evil plans to get her daughter married to Faris instead of Zoya. Also entangled in the drama are, of course, a toxic seasoned Phupo and cousin.
Two brothers, Salim and Kalim played by Saleem Sheikh and Babar Ali find themselves entangled in a property dispute. It’s the classic tale of comic yet toxic, chaotic property disputes within desi families. Amidst the grievances, they all gather for a wedding, but whose wedding is it anyway? The bride herself is unaware! Yet again, in typical desi fashion, who cares if she gets to choose for herself? As always, parents, grandparents, and extended family members believe they know best.
And can you believe it? Just 15 days are apparently enough to know someone for a lifetime!
Mehwish Hayat As Zoya – A Treat For Audiences
Mehwish Hayat makes a dramatic entrance from the train, meeting her UK-educated cousin Faris, who comes to pick her up. In our opinion, it wasn’t the most interesting first meeting, but the dynamics of their interaction did manage to elicit a chuckle.
Mehwish Hayat plays Zoya, she may be from a typical punjabi desi family, she’s the cherished only daughter, raised under great care and restrictions. However, don’t mistake her for being timid. Zoya is strong, blunt, and unapologetically honest. She can stand up for herself and her self-respect, despite her yearning for love, which has been tainted by a toxic past relationship. While she longs for love, she’s also keenly aware of not allowing herself to be exploited in its name.
Mehwish undoubtedly excels in portraying every emotion, every feeling in each scene. Watching her on screen is an experience that truly makes the audience feel like it’s a worthwhile experience.
The Hero Faris Played By Ali Rehman, The Greenest Of Flags But What Is He Hiding?
Our hero Faris, with a pure heart, firmly believes “Dil pay filters nae laga saktay.” He is the cherished grandson, unfailingly obedient, dedicated to nurturing strong bonds. Ever the peacemaker, his life is dedicated to the happiness of his loved ones. Oh and also he might be a super green flag but there’s one concern…he’s friends with a supernatural entity. Could this be a deal breaker? Ali Rehman, overall, sure did justice to the character of Faris, bringing a screen presence that had you feeling for him at all his loveliest and weakest moments though his emotional delivery left us questioning his depth in that aspect.
Momin Saqib Portrays A Character That Might Just Surprise You The Most
Momin Saqib’s character intrigued us, leaving us questioning who he truly is throughout the movie. His gradual character development and performance is undeniably the most thrilling aspect of the film. Initially, it’s unclear whether he’s just the typical best friend character or something far more complex. Moon, portrayed by Momin Saqib, embodies the quintessential anti-hero (but one character you might walk out of the cinema actually enjoying the most), bringing chaos and upheaval to relationships alas with a supernatural twist!
Momin truly embraced a prominent role even though he might have had not enough screen time but he did not disappoint with his performance. He skillfully portrayed multiple shades of comedy.
His character exudes eccentricity, with a devilish and sly charm. Saqib adeptly portrays the multiple layers of his character, effortlessly conveying the required emotions for each scene. Watching him on screen is truly a delight.
Amidst The Comic & Romance Elements, The Film Delivers Subliminal Messages!
While there may be occasional contradictions, the film delivers some powerful subliminal messages. Amidst the myriad of themes, it incorporates relevant issues through its comedic lens.
Ali Rehman, as Faris, delivers a thought-provoking dialogue: “Muhabbat ke khair hai magar izzat pay baat aei tou khud ko maaf nae kero pau ga.” For once, the focus isn’t solely on women, traditionally associated with respect. The message is clear: respect is a two-way street, crucial for both men and women. It’s a vital lesson for the younger generation: love without respect is incomplete; respect must always come first.
The film also subtly highlights how certain ignorant cultural practices can sometimes enable predators emphasizing the importance of trust and belief in ourselves, while keeping the sanctity or religious sites intact.
At its core, the overarching theme revolves around familial conflicts over material possessions. It is able to depict the regret that often accompanies the realization of one’s stubbornness, usually after the loss of a loved one. The film advocates for listening to parents while they are alive, as reconciliation opportunities are frequently missed until it’s too late.
Our Thoughts Pre Interval & Post The Interval…
Before the interval, the love story, the comic elements, and the resistance from the heroine had us engrossed, as did the one problem the perfectly portrayed hero seemed to be hiding. Post the interval, the movie became a tad heavy-handed on the dramatics. It became a bit unrealistic and also veered towards being somewhat witless towards the end, with the ghost periodically possessing almost everyone in the story. The humor was a 50/50; it had its comic hits and some sorrowful misses! Except for Mehwish’s character, all other characters seemed to have so much more potential to have been explored.
But at the same time, we felt the plot had been jumbled up, with too much coming together at one time. You get family rifts, property disputes, love stories, gangsters, mystery, some horrors, some sadness. Each subplot distracted because of another. Some scenes were quite obviously rushed through. The finesse in emotional moments was missing; it did not succeed in making you feel as much. Faris’s character and the messaging became somewhat repetitive and redundant.
Was the quick item song at the end necessary? Was it just another irrelevant addition to the story, undermining its credibility and diverting effort that could have been utilized for more concrete character and storyline development? Perhaps! But if you choose to stick around until the end, you’ll certainly be excited for the two special cameos that were truly amusing!
Reasons We Recommend To Watch “Daghabaaz Dil”
Watch it if you’re hoping for a light-hearted, visually pleasing experience that combines great performances with various genres in a Pakistani dramatic setting.
Ever wondered what happens when a jinn falls in love with you? Among the terrifying events that may follow, he might just also prepare fresh flowers and breakfast for you every day. You could watch Daghabaaz Dil to find out more!
