With one year past the herald of the new decade, let us celebrate ten years of a film that is deemed to be one of the most iconic films produced by Bollywood. It is one of those rare thought-provoking films which is still close to our hearts and fresh in our minds
We just can’t get over Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara for it celebrates the life and its multifarious aspects in a manner such that the uncanny sentiment associated with the very essence of the movie ends up triggering various copious thoughts about life, its vitality, along with a subtle stimulation to hit the pause button so as to exercise introspection. The film takes us through a roller coaster ride of emotions while alluding to friendships, romantic relationships, career, kinship with parents, confronting fears, etc.
Watching it time and again indeed sways us through a queer sense of retrieval of long-lost confidence. The butterflies in the stomach somehow stop giving us jitterbugs and we get all charged up to conquer our biggest set of fears.
Each of the characters is a unique product of his or her circumstances. Each one of them has a multi-layered life story that unfolds subtly and touches our souls in the right places. It is indeed its relatability with the masses that the movie is loved by viewers from all walks of life. It enables a middle-aged person to get his or her zeal back. A young person in his early 30s gets a breather to contemplate and a teenager gets a perspective on what actually matters in life.
Well, do you remember Arjun, Kabir, Imran, Natasha, Salman Habib, and Nuria? It may or may not be too difficult a task to resist falling in love with them over and over again but one cannot get over Laila for sure.
Every Arjun needs a Laila!
Arjun, the ultimate workaholic, and a materialistic chap, keenly prioritizes money over everything else in life. He instinctively considers the ‘wealth’ factor while making decisions in different interrelated domains of life. When he is truly hard-pressed in chasing avaricious endeavors at a supersonic speed, Laila enters his life. She elusively helps him recede his pace by putting up relevant questions at the right time. One of her dialogues-“Dude, how do you even know that you would be alive at 40?-Seize the day, my friend. First, live this day to the fullest, then think of 40.”, is deeply ingrained in our consciousness.
Remember the dumbstruck reaction of Arjun to it? The phrase, “Seize the day, my friend.” indeed tickles us with an inexplicable sense of urgency.
Laila is one of the most inspiring fictional characters
Now, why do we say that? Throughout the film, we can see her living life to the fullest just like a free bird without any regrets and devoid of monotony. She doesn’t limit herself to any damn thing. She is a fashion student in London but that doesn’t stop her from chasing her love for scuba-diving. She passionately serves as a part-time diving instructor for three months every year at different diving sites around the world. By embracing her true self, Laila inspired a contrasting character to completely change his outlook towards life.
Her radiance and grace leaves you in awe
Laila knows how much Natasha hated her until she witnessed an intimate episode between Laila and Arjun but being light at heart, she never reciprocates anything of that sort back to Natasha. She even knows the tactics of handling a flirtatious guy and gracefully denies the offer given by Imran. That was the very first time we meet Laila and also her witty side.
She never let go of the opportunity to express her true feelings
Laila’s exemplary urge to hold on to her dreams and to all that gives her substantial happiness in life makes us remember all those moments when we didn’t run after the things we now think we should have chased. Since it’s never too late, let us pull up our socks to run after them without further ado.
When Arjun leaves, she feels a lump in her throat to see him go farther from her but the courage that her heart embodies makes her instantly follow the love of her life by riding off on the bike.
Her unconventional attitude towards life compels us to unlearn several directives listed in the prescribed hoary rule book
Why can’t we just let go of all the materialistic things in life? Why is it necessary to subsume ourselves in creating a life which should appear all rosy from outside even if one feels dead inside? What stops us from living our lives as fierce, free-spirited individuals? Why aren’t we alive enough? How can we follow our hearts and leap from one adventure to the next without overthinking? Is it too difficult to allocate some time to do things we love that are apparently more important than professional or financial success?
Try answering these questions by bearing in mind the pearl of wisdom dropped by Laila as she lies under the starry night sky –“A man should be in a box only when he is dead.” We are sure you all have already watched ZNMD time and again but if in case you haven’t, it’s time for some self-care time because this movie leaves you with the feeling of introspection with every watch!