Touted as the Gen Z movie of the year, by the makers of Gully Boy, Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan, is a sweet finish to what has been a phenomenal come-back year for Bollywood in 2023. It also feels like a fitting end to the year, that seems to have been highly obsessed by Gen Z, for one reason or another.
The story revolves around three 20-something friends, in the significant life stage of post-college, early working years, where each is trying to figure themselves, their relationships, and their careers, all at the same time. Imaad (Siddhant Chaturvedi) with a troubled past, a stand-up comedian, and a serial flirt Tinder addict with commitment issues, Ahana (Ananya Panday) with boyfriend trouble that consumes her entire life, both online and therefore offline, and Neil (Adarsh Gourav), gym trainer who wants to do and be a lot more than his personal and social circumstances naturally allow. All are different individuals, with different personalities and dreams. With only two things in common. One, they are best friends. And two, they’re all addicted to social media, living a large part of their lives through it. The story follows their trials and tribulations as they navigate their urban lives between work, dreams, and love, with moments of laughter, booze, sex, heartbreak, misunderstandings, and finding purpose in building something together… a future, their future… at least for the time being.
Just like the life of a Gen Z, nothing really happens in the entire 2 hours+ of the film, and yet a lot happens throughout the story. Capturing this quintessential reality of a 20-something life in an urban metro today (and the most metro of them all, Mumbai) so perfectly, can only be done by the brilliant Zoya-Reema team, ably directed by Arjun Varain Singh. The film is like a one-time response to all those Millennials and Gen X’ers who have been talking about Gen Z’s behind their backs, criticizing their work ethic, curious about their private lives, envious of their easy sexuality, disappointed by their entitled self-obsession, in awe of their self-confidence with which they own and navigate the world. And the Gen Z response is simply this “every older generation feels like this about the next one. your generation had your struggles and challenges that you overcame to become the adults of today. our generation has our own struggles and challenges, that we are overcoming to become the adults of tomorrow. it doesn’t mean that we have it easier than you. it just means we have it different from you. we know you can’t help us, we have to help ourselves, just don’t judge us. this is the world we are growing up in. and we are doing the best we can. and if you don’t believe us, here… let us give you a glimpse into our lives…”
And THAT is the entire movie. A small window into the lives of urban young adults today. A zoom-in to a year in the life of these young men and women, who are seeking love and seeking themselves. A freeze-frame of this time in their lives that will possibly end up being their most defining years. A day, a month, a moment that is as real and un-ending, as it is fleeting and liminal. Speaking on behalf of his generation, the director, invites everyone into the world of Gen Z, opening their homes, their hearts, their souls, and most importantly their social media to us all and says to us “Aao aakey dekho lo.. ki kho gaye hum kahaan”
Perhaps the most impactful part of the film, and the reason for it being so enjoyable to watch irrespective of which generation you belong to, is beautifully captured in this line from the title song Hone Do Jo Hota Hai “Saari Khushiyaan hain saath mein.. ki apne faisley hain apne haath main”. The film immerses us into this beautiful transition stage of life that all of us have been through - the early mid-20s, when we get the first whiff of independence. When we’ve just got out of college and out of decades-long dependence on our parents, to finally be able to make our own choices and decisions. When we may not have a lot of money, but it’s enough to feel that it’s all up to us now. That our fate is in our hands. That we don’t need to seek permission to make our own decisions. It’s that rush that comes with losing the helplessness of being a child and simultaneously realizing the openness of the world. The joy and intoxication of this time (and many of us remember it like it was yesterday), when anything is possible. The heady cocktail of freedom and not-much-to-lose possibly makes this the best life stage of our lives. Even as we are acutely aware of how quickly this phase is going to pass away. Unlimited Space. Limited Time. And, it is this time and this emotion that the movie captures brilliantly.
Of course, like every movie, this film also has a message for our youngsters, because we just can’t help being the parents of this generation! Social media lives are not real lives. Get your face out of your phones. Look up, Love the people around you, and Move forward. The world is waiting, and it’s out there. Not in your screens.
The soundtrack by OAFF and Ankur Tewari is fabulous, and reminiscent of the Gehraiyaan soundtrack. The title song Hone Do Jo Hota Hai is immersively enjoyable. Teri Yeh Baatein is a heady trip. And I Wanna See You Dance is a wonderful foot-tapping retro Nazia Hassan-style disco track. The other songs also do a good job of creating the right mood. If you want to get into a YOLO evening feel, hit the album and play it on loud, preferably with a few light drinks!
The 3 lead actors do a really good job too, perhaps because they are just being themselves in real life. Even Ananya and Siddhant (after the disaster of Gehraiyaan) redeem themselves. They are loveable and easy. And you can’t help feeling for them. But the main shout-out goes to Adarsh Gaurav, who does another seemingly-simple-but-emotionally-complex character role very impactfully. He is really a discovery. From hating him intensely in Mom (2017) to being impressed in White Tiger (2021), to being fascinated by him in Guns and Gulaab (2023), to adoring him in this film, he has shown a versatility of his acting beyond his years. Becoming the role that he is doing, he looks like someone who will go far with his career. Kalki, by now the predictable side character in every young urban content, is radiant and lovely to watch.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable and easy watch for anyone who wants to feel like a Gen Z, for just that brief moment. And just like everything Gen Z, it’s easily available on a screen next to you. Go for it!
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