Star Cast: Sparsh Walia, Alisha Chopra, Sakshi Vaidya, Kunal Vaid, Sargun Luthra, Tushar Chhibber
Director: Anuj Saini
What’s Good: New faces, music, and climax
What’s Bad: Dragged first half!
Loo Break: Interval
Watch or Not?: Yes
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 142 Minutes
User Rating:
Bollywood has seen countless stories about first love and love at first sight. While breezy, young romances have taken a back seat in recent years, a newly released film sets out to fill that void. In the early 2000s, Bollywood was known for its romances, dreamy songs, and emotions that made you fall in love with the characters. Anuj Saini’s latest directorial, Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar, brings back those feelings and emotions.
Backed by Luv Ranjan, who has produced films such as Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, the film brings fresh faces and explores the fun side of falling in love. While Luv’s previous films have received mixed reactions from audiences, his latest production explores the complications of love through the lens of age and youthful innocence. When three friends decide to revisit their past and give their first loves another chance, the result is a heartwarming mix of confusion, chaos, and fun.
Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Review: Script Analysis
The film is exactly what its title suggests. The film revolves around three friends: Gautam (Sparsh Walia), Vedant (Kunal Vaid), and Shivi (Sargun). School friends who are now caught up in the routine of corporate life in the NCR reluctantly decide to attend their school reunion in the hope of finding their first loves and reigniting old sparks.
Their motivation to revisit their first love is fuelled by a drunken cameo by a beloved actor who champions ek tarfa pyaar, much like Shah Rukh Khan’s character in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
The trio arrives at the school reunion hoping to confess their feelings to their former classmates. Vedant had a crush on the class topper, Simran (Sakshi Vaisya), Shivi had the hots for Karan (Tushar Chhibber), and Gautam had his own ek tarfa pyaar moment with the snooty Gehna (Alisha Chopra).
What follows is a series of attempts to impress their first loves, only for the trio to fall flat on their faces and confront the reality of how much time has passed since their school days. The second half, however, takes things up a notch with a wedding and an explosion of chaos that feels very millennial-coded.
Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Review: Star Performance
The film introduces six fresh faces, and that is one of its biggest strengths. You walk into the cinema with few expectations because the cast is relatively new, but all six actors bring a refreshing energy to the story, unburdened by the baggage of past performances or established stardom.
Three love stories unfold simultaneously, yet all six characters have a strong sense of individuality. The romance between Vedant and Simran, however, stands out amid the chaos. The two actors deliver engaging performances, and their chemistry clicks almost instantly.
Alisha Chopra is convincing as Gehna, whose borderline problematic personality makes it difficult for her to accept rejection. Sargun Kaur Luthra, as Shivi, delivers strong dialogue and channels Sanjana’s personality from Main Hoon Na in her characterization.
Sparsh Walia, as Gautam, bears a striking resemblance to a younger Kartik Aaryan. Thankfully, he brings his own charm to the role, playing a grounded character without relying on dramatic monologues.
The group of friends gradually grows on you, and their combined chemistry becomes essential to making the climax work.
Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Review: Direction, Music
Anuj Saini makes his directorial debut with Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar. The freshness of the cast and the team behind the film is evident on screen. The film’s language feels raw and relatable, particularly for young people in their late twenties navigating the complications of adulthood.
The struggles of corporate jobs, an unsatisfying love life, and the lack of work-life balance all contribute to the film’s relatability. However, the climax truly takes the cake. It brings back the old-school Bollywood romance that audiences fell in love with, filled with hopes, dreams, and aspirations, along with humorous twists and turns.
No Bollywood romance is complete without music, and who better than Rochak Kohli to deliver melodies that move the story forward? The music stays with you long after the film ends, blending seamlessly with the narrative and expressing the characters’ emotions.
Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Movie Review: The Last Word
The film takes you on a happy ride filled with friendship, romance, and chaos without becoming preachy. It follows three friends who simply want a little love in their lives to add color to their otherwise corporate-dominated routines. Their journey is filled with vibrant moments, memorable music, and plenty of longing.
The film isn’t perfect, but perhaps that is the beauty of young love. It is messy, confusing, and occasionally embarrassing, yet it leaves you with memories that stay long after the moment has passed. Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar reminds us that sometimes, all it takes to fall in love again is the courage to revisit the feelings we never quite left behind.
Pehla Pyaar Doosri Baar Trailer
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