Daawat-E-Ishq
Year: 2014
Director: Habib Faisal
Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Aditya Roy-Kapoor, Anupam Kher

The very fact that Daawat-E-Ishq happens to be a Yashraj film is almost a guarantee that it is going to be worth watching on big screen. Yes, at least in my mind, India’s biggest banner has inspired that kind of confidence with their record so far. Add to that Yashraj’s past success with director Habib Faisal (Ishqzaade), my admiration for Parineeti Chopra and some colorful promos and then it won’t be too difficult to understand why I dutifully watched Daawat-E-Ishq in theatre immediately after its release. So how was the experience?

What’s the plot?

A forward-thinking, smart and ambitious Hyderabadi girl (Parineeti Chopra) dreams of finding a perfect suitor who would take her out of her dreary salesgirl routine and fly away to US. But instead she gets repeated rejections from spineless grooms and their dowry- hungry parents. Piqued by that humiliation, she decides to get back at the system and devises a con-scheme based on a recent anti-dowry-law. Her simple, straight-forward father (Anupam Kher) becomes her reluctant partner in crime. As the father-daughter come to Lucknow to trap some cash-rich, dowry- seeking groom into their clutches. But they have not counted on encountering a large-hearted, broad-minded rustic restaurateur (Aditya Roy-Kapoor) as their potential prey. Will the girl manage to pull a fast one on him? Or will Cupid strike in between?

What’s hot?

·        Habib Faisal’s fast-paced narrative takes you on an entertainment ride. He keeps the proceedings light-hearted and peppy throughout.

·        All the main protagonists deliver engaging performances. Parineeti’s Hyderabadi lingo is endearing and by now, she has almost perfected her spirited, feisty belle act. Aditya Roy-Kapoor is likable in his first tapori performance. The debutant Karan Vaahi doesn’t have much to do but looks cute. Anupam Kher is quietly efficient.

·        There is a definite message in the film – about the anti-dowry law 498-A, which on one hand protects the rights of the bride but on the other hand, can also be misused to harass the bridegroom’s side. But that message comes through in an enjoyable, entertaining way.

·        The famously impeccable Yashraj production values ensure a bright, colorful, song-and-dance-filled big screen experience.

·        Sajid-Wajid’s music perfectly matches the upbeat romantic mood and excellent choreography; especially the title song composed as a modern qawwali is quite infectious.

·        Last but not the least, for the film the title of which means Feast of Love dishes out an exotic visual feast of Mughalai cuisine and street foods. It would be hard to find a non-veg foodie in the theatre who wouldn’t be lusting after those super- appetizing-looking Hyderabadi biryanis and Lakhnawi kababs! 

What’s not?

·        The second half is loose, the romantic chemistry is half-baked and the climax none-too-impactful. Yet the overpowering feel-good factor wins you over.

Verdict

Even without much star-appeal, Daawat-E-Ishq is almost a perfect commercial cinema- it is fast-paced, fun-filled big screen experience. Without sacrificing its entertainment quotient and without ever becoming too serious, it successfully draws attention to the rampant dowry problem and its legal remedy. And while doing all that it also dishes out one of the most mouth-watering feasts of food ever shown on silver screen!

Rating

3 stars