Film: Dil Kabbadi

Banner: Paramhans Creations, Studio 18

Producer: Shailesh R. Singh

Director: Anil Senior

Cast: Rahul Bose, Irfaan Khan, Rahul Khanna, Konkona Sen Sharma, Soha Ali Khan, Payal Rohatgi, Saba

Rating: 2.5/5

In the early nineties, director Woody Allen made a film called Husbands and Wives. Years later, jumping to 2008 a copy of the film was issued from a library and the thought of making the same in Hindi just seemed exciting. A few weeks here and there a little more stretched out and voila, Dil Kabbadi.

Call it what you will--copy, inspired or adapted; the truth is this film is a decent fare that is thoroughly enjoyable. It's mature, intelligent and arguably, a bit long. It all begins when Samit (Irrfan Khan) and Mita (Soha Ali Khan) break the news of their separation to close buds Rishi (Rahul Bose) and Simi (Konkona Sen Sharma). With much hue and cry, Samit and Mita finally separate, to be soon followed by Samit’s pleasure treat with Kaya (Payal Rohtagi).

Meanwhile, Rishi and Simi are figuring out their relationship, to soon realize that may be things are not what they seem. At this juncture enters Veer (Rahul Khanna), the perfect bachelor, that both Simi and Mita are seeking. While love takes a U turn, relationships are strained, mended and broken in Dil Kabbadi.

Yes, it's true the film is a convenient reproduction of Husbands and Wives, but let us not discredit the fact that this film is entertaining. Rules aside, Dil Kabbadi does have a sound premise with well defined characters. It explores marriage like never before, adding zing and spark to a subject that has been treated with much too much seriousness. The dialogues are witty and spot on. Backed by good performances, the humor works and is saved from being pretentious.

Conversations are treated with much realism and the bickering in the film seems lifted from real situations; but with that cinematic magic that makes it seem interesting. Watch the scene where Sen walks in to Bose brushing his teeth and tells him she wants to do it, extremely well executed. Or watch an uncomfortable Irrfan walk into a lingerie store...