In Imtiaz Ali’s Jab We Met, (2007) a heartbroken Geet (Kareena Kapoor), asks Aditya Kashyap (Shahid Kapoor), “tumhe main bahut achi lagti hoon na?” (you actually like me, do not you) and he, drenched in love, replies, “bahut… but vo mera problem hai. Tujhe isme tension lene ki zarurat nahi hai“, (I like you a large number, however that’s my downside and one thing you shouldn’t fear about).He then playfully goes forward and cracks a joke, to reduce the awkwardness round.
12 years later, a shy, docile Preeti (Kiara Advani) tries to persuade her physician boyfriend Kabir to be somewhat affected person after her father is livid at their alliance. In retaliation, Kabir in a match of anger, slaps her throughout the face earlier than storming out, at the same time as Preeti continues to mollycoddle him, strapping throughout his chest, begging him to not depart. Apparently, each the characters had been performed by the insanely proficient Shahid Kapoor, however we’re going to park speaking about his expertise for another day.
Kabir Singh director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who additionally directed the Telugu model Arjun Reddy, mentioned in an interview, that if in love you do not have the liberty to hit one another, then how is it love? Even when this isn’t a feminist problem (even Preeti slaps Kabir as soon as), in what world can this be labeled as love? How are you going to ‘bodily’ hurt an individual you declare to be in ‘love’ with? In what parallel universe does inflicting ache on an individual (other than a sexual fetish) be labeled as a logo of unflinching devotion, even when that individual has clearly not given consent to that behaviour? Kabir Singh raised many such questions, however efficiently hid beneath the garb of effectively fleshed out characters, good performances and a hauntingly stunning musical rating. (with field workplace numbers backing up its very problematic lead character – a insurgent with none actual trigger)
Then again, the shy, gawky businessman Aditya comes throughout as a soothing wave of recent air. He’s emotional, susceptible, extraordinarily respectful, but not in command of his life (which is okay). On the onset of the film, his enterprise is down within the dumps after the demise of his father, his girlfriend has dumped him, and he has a strained relationship along with his mom as a result of she ‘eloped’ with one other man. Dejected, he will get on a practice and meets the gregarious, loud, excessive, barely annoying Geet and after a little bit of trepidation, befriends her. The 2 type a detailed bond, although they’re as completely different as chalk and cheese, inadvertently ending up with adventures in shady lodge rooms and lacking trains.
From Geet, Aditya learns to let go, observe his coronary heart and do what makes him completely satisfied, which he exactly does after going again from dropping Geet to her boyfriend Anshuman’s workplace. At this level, Aditya has deeply fallen in love with the spunky Geet as she actually resurrected him again to life, but, unknown to her, he bids her a tearful adieu.
In contrast to Kabir Singh, the heartbroken Aditya doesn’t let his emotions get the higher of him and doesn’t spiral uncontrolled. Fairly, he makes use of his love for Geet as a device to achieve extra confidence to face his issues head on, getting his enterprise again on monitor and making amends along with his mom. He additionally finds time for his true ardour for music, as Geet at all times used to say, “insaan jo sach mein chahta hai na, vo usko mil jaata hai.” (you’ll get what you actually want)
In a world ripe with jealousy, heartbreak and a swindling ethical compass, an Aditya is tough to return by. When he learns that Anshuman has dumped Geet, he instantly takes it upon himself to be there for her, even because the initially dismissive Geet shrugs him off by saying , “tumhara koi chance hai hai.” (you don’t have any probability) Whereas he makes his emotions recognized, not by phrases, however by actions, he by no means forces them upon Geet, quietly serving to her reunite with Anshuman when he returns, excessive on repentance. But, love works in mysterious methods and males like Aditya are unfold far and huge….
What makes the character of Aditya such a discover is that he’s not excellent in any manner – he has his flaws and over a time period, he works on them and makes himself a greater man. He additionally doesn’t attempt to be Geet’s ‘fixer’, treating her as a damsel in misery, however lets her be, fervently hoping that she realises his love for her….
Other than its meet cute romantic plot, the film additionally drives dwelling a message that usually in life once you hit all-time low, there is just one approach to go and that’s UP. And similar to Geet and Aditya, some trains are purported to be missed, so that you simply hop into one which takes you to a greater, happier and more healthy vacation spot.
Possibly Aditya is a reminder that love is available in all varieties – care, consolation, the power to place others first, and friendship. Nonetheless, on the finish of the day, he drives dwelling a message that many people have bother believing on this conflicted world – Good guys don’t at all times end final…
You’ll be able to watch Jab We Met on a number one OTT channel…
ETimes Decoded is our weekly column the place we deconstruct films, characters or plots to uncover a recent, typically undiscovered perspective.
