ABOUT THIS EVENT
SCREEN: Studio Theatre
RUNNING TIME: 2h 53m
AGE RATING: (12A)
IMDb: 7.0 / 10
Between 6:30pm and 7:00pm, just before the main feature FILM, we’ll be showcasing short films by talented emerging filmmakers.
Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) is a vibrant, emotionally layered ensemble drama that explores the complexities of modern Indian family life beneath the polished surface of wealth and success. The film centres on the Mehra family — Kamal and Neelam Mehra, a high-society Delhi couple — who organise a lavish Mediterranean cruise to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. They invite their closest friends and family aboard, hoping to mask their failing marriage and project an image of unity and prosperity.
Joining them on the cruise are their children: Ayesha, a successful entrepreneur stuck in an unfulfilling marriage, and Kabir, the carefree younger son pressured to take over the family business despite having dreams of becoming a pilot. As the voyage unfolds against a backdrop of stunning European vistas, long-suppressed truths bubble to the surface — from extramarital affairs and generational clashes to personal regrets and romantic longings.
Through sharp dialogue, poignant moments, and plenty of humour, Dil Dhadakne Do delves into themes of conformity, self-expression, and the emotional toll of keeping up appearances. The cruise becomes a metaphorical journey of reckoning, as each character is forced to confront who they truly are versus who they’re expected to be.
With a stellar ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar, and Anushka Sharma, the film is a witty, insightful, and heartfelt commentary on family, freedom, and the courage to chart your own course.
