"DHAK DHAK" is a sincere attempt with commendable
performances. It tells the story of four women bikers who embark on a journey
with their distinct personalities, facing various challenges along the way.
While the film has its merits, it also has some shortcomings.
The story by Parijat Joshi and Tarun Dudeja is compelling,
with great potential. The screenplay, also by Joshi and Dudeja, effectively
fleshes out the characters and raises important issues, although it falls short
in the second half. The dialogues, including those by Anvita Dutt, are simple
and provide some humorous one-liners.
Director Tarun Dudeja's approach is straightforward, with an
engaging portrayal of the four women and their individual backgrounds. The
challenges faced by women traveling alone are well depicted, and the film
addresses both the support and exploitation they encounter. Key emotional
moments, such as Sky's outburst, the pre-climax reunion, and the finale, are
noteworthy.
However, the film has its flaws. The first hour of the
post-interval portion feels slow, and some character choices, like forgiving
Moshe and allowing Manjari to continue her journey on a bike, are hard to
believe. Certain aspects, such as Mahi's family dynamics and her relationship
with Prabjyot, are underdeveloped. The resolution of Uzma's storyline seems
overly simplistic. Additionally, the lack of assistance from the ashram in
delivering an oxygen cylinder to a hospitalized Mahi is perplexing, given the
life-and-death situation.
The cast delivers strong performances, with Fatima Sana
Shaikh, Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, and Sanjana Sanghi standing out. Nishank
Verma and Hrriday Malhotra provide able support. Dheerendra Dwivedi, as Uzma's
husband, makes an impact, while the other supporting cast members have varying
degrees of success.
The film features several songs, but only "Re
Banjara" and "Akhiyan Criminal" leave an impression. The
remaining tracks are forgettable. Anurag Saika's background score complements
the film's theme. Sreechith Vijayan Damodar's cinematography captures the
mountain landscapes beautifully, and Nilesh Eknath Wagh's production design
adds to the film's realism. Natasha Vohra's costumes effectively reflect the
characters' personalities. The action by Abdul Aziz Khokhar is minimal, and
Manish Sharma's editing keeps the film moving at a good pace.
In conclusion, "DHAK DHAK" is a well-intentioned
film with strong performances from the lead actresses. However, it suffers from
a weak second half and a lack of significant buzz, which may impact its box
office performance.