Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
“Do Deewane Seher Mein” kicks off with an odd premise. It tries to convince viewers that Mrunal Thakur, known for her beauty, is just an average-looking nerd because she wears oversized glasses. This outdated idea that glasses make someone less attractive feels stuck in a past era. Remember how this stereotype didn’t hold with Preity Zinta in “Kal Ho Na Ho”? It’s high time such tropes faded away.
Directed by Ravi Udyawar, the film stars Mrunal as Roshni Shrivastav, a fashion magazine employee in Mumbai. Siddhant Chaturvedi plays Shashank Sharma, a marketing executive with a speech impediment. Shashank struggles with words that start with “sh,” which makes him nervous about public speaking.
As part of an arranged marriage setup, Shashank’s family meets Roshni’s family. He quickly develops a crush on her, but she hesitates due to her past experiences with men. Despite her rejections, Shashank continues to reach out, leading to a heartfelt connection.
The film navigates their budding romance, filled with both humor and relatable moments. Shashank often finds himself escaping work meetings due to his anxiety, and he faces pressure from his father to succeed. Yet, he’s down-to-earth, loves cooking, and cherishes life’s simple pleasures.
Roshni, on the other hand, comes across as frustrated and mean at times. While the script is partly to blame, her character grapples with insecurities about her looks. The narrative suggests that even a stunning woman like Mrunal feels inadequate, which seems less believable considering her appearance. Her mother’s worries about Roshni’s prospects feel overdone, undermining her beauty and talent.
Sandeepa Dhar plays Roshni’s sister, Naina, who is also beautiful, but let’s face it: if looks were a competition, most would agree that Mrunal has the edge. The film misses opportunities to show Roshni’s style as anything but suitable, countering its own narrative about her supposed lack of appeal.
Fortunately, the romance comes to life when focusing on Shashank and Roshni. Their chemistry shines in quiet moments over coffee and heart-to-heart conversations. As they open up, they begin to see the potential in each other that’s often clouded by their insecurities.
The film’s central conflict would be more engaging if Roshni’s struggles felt relatable. While childhood comments may have hurt her, asking viewers to believe that someone as gorgeous as Mrunal could feel unattractive strains credulity.
Still, if you can overlook that detail, “Do Deewane Seher Mein” is an enjoyable watch. The cinematography is pleasing, and the couple’s journey culminates in a happily ever after. The film highlights themes of love and self-acceptance, encouraging viewers to see themselves more kindly.
Watch “Do Deewane Seher Mein” on Netflix. Did you know that a recent survey found that 85% of young people experience insecurities about their looks? Such stats reflect that this film taps into real feelings, even if its execution falters at times. Explore more on body image in this study from the National Institutes of Health.
