At first glance, DZ seems to be a light-hearted, frothy take on life and the lessons one may imbibe from it.  At second glance though, the film comes across as the travails of a twenty-something PYT trying to cope with relationships — both at the familial and romantic levels. But then, one of the disclaimers of the film is that the opinions proffered by a therapist (read: SRK) is not to be taken as medical advice.

A chance encounter with psychoanalyst Dr. Jehangir Khan aka Jug (Shah Rukh Khan) leads our protagonist Kiara (Alia Bhatt), a budding  and gutsy cinematographer with a devil-may-care attitude, to seek his advice.  The unconventional counselling includes playing kabaddi on the sea-waves as well as trying out different chairs (an analogy to relationships) before purchasing (settling in) one.Drama

With an atypical ending, ‘Dear Zindagi’, Gauri Shinde’s second directorial feature after ‘English Vinglish’ (there’s a subtle allusion to the film by Shah Rukh), is a film on adolescence and a troubled childhood. Shah Rukh, with a mop of hair a lion would envy, turns in a mature performance (a sign of things to come?). But the film, though protracted by at least 20 minutes, belongs to the chirpy and spunky Alia Bhatt. With a spontaneous performance — with her monologues and outbursts — it would be difficult to ignore her, come awards’ season. Of the supporting cast, Aban (Bharucha) Deohans as Kaira’s mother and Yashaswini Dayama as Jackie, Kaira’s bosom-pal-cum-confidante, impress.

Amit Trivedi’s music embodies youthful romance. A couple of songs are hummable, particularly Vishal Dadlani’s, ‘Let’s Break-up’ which promises to be the anthem in the run-up to the New Year.