The movie Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha seemed promising on paper, especially with Ajay Devgn and Tabu headlining it in a romantic drama. However, what looked fresh and intriguing initially didn’t quite translate into a compelling film.
The film bears a resemblance to the 2023 English-Korean drama Past Lives, which explored the lives of two characters over 24 years, following their separation and eventual reunion. The beauty of Past Lives lies in its simplicity and raw emotional impact. Unfortunately, Bollywood’s storytelling style, known for its tendency to stretch narratives, doesn’t align well with minimalism.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha Plot: A Thin Storyline
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha opens with Krishna (Ajay Devgn), a convict serving a 23-year sentence for double murder. The film’s central plot revolves around Krishna’s reluctance to leave prison and the backstory behind his actions, which feels rather underdeveloped.
Shantanu Maheshwari plays the younger Krishna from 2001, who falls for Vasudha (Saiee Manjrekar). Their chemistry is believable, which is crucial since their older counterparts are portrayed by Ajay and Tabu, who have acted together numerous times before. A single night changes their lives dramatically, leading to questions about why Vasudha didn’t wait for Krishna and why he is so attached to prison. The film attempts to explore these questions but does so in a way that feels stretched and sometimes melodramatic.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha tries to balance conventional and unconventional elements. It explores the contrast between impulsive young love and the more practical love that develops with age. The first half of the movie drags, with multiple flashbacks that struggle to maintain interest. It feels like an extended episode of a soap opera, dragging on for far too long.
A Second Half with Unnecessary Repetitions
Just when the film reveals crucial details about the fateful night from years ago, it hits the interval. What follows in the second half feels like an overly dramatic version of a scene from Anees Bazmee’s 2007 film Welcome, but repeated from different perspectives. This repetition adds to the soap opera-like feel, making it tedious.
Despite its flaws, the film has some redeeming features. There are witty one-liners and clever references that provide moments of relief. For example, a scene where Ajay’s friend plays the song Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye from his own film Dilwale receives cheers in the theater. When the film keeps things light, it works well, but some songs, like Ae Dil Zara Ke, feel overly draining.
Performance Review
Ajay Devgn delivers a performance that requires little effort, sticking to his usual brooding persona. Tabu performs competently, but it’s clear that this role isn’t challenging for her. Jimmy Sheirgill, who often plays the unlucky suitor, doesn’t fare any better here. Shantanu Maheshwari brings charm to his role, and Saiee Manjrekar, after a lackluster debut, finds a solid role and does well with it. The music by Oscar-winner MM Keeravani, unfortunately, doesn’t make a significant impact.
The film could have been more enjoyable with some editing and trimming. Director Neeraj Panday, who also co-wrote the screenplay, seems to have gotten carried away, resulting in a film that feels overly long and sometimes tiresome. The final shot, “Sometimes, it never ends…” seemed to echo the sentiment of the film’s never-ending narrative.
