Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Plot

It is 1995. Prem Prakash Tiwari (Ayushmann Khurrana) owns a video cassette shop in the local market of Haridwar. His father is keen on getting him married to an educated overweight girl Sandhya (Bhumi Pednekar). In spite of not liking her, the school drop out Prem agrees to marry her as he cannot win over a girl with 'Juhi Chawla-level-of-looks.' In addition, as Sandhya is trying to be a school teacher, his family asks him to think of this alliance to a financial help too. Eventually, in an elaborate community-wedding ceremony, Prem and Sandhya get married.

Prem visibly shows his disinterest in the marriage and does not consummate the marriage on the wedding night. While his sister, aunt and mother argue about his non-existent life, Prem leaves for akhara. Friends and seniors make fun of him and he tells them about his anguish. His trainer suggests that he must run away but that is not an option for him. At home, Sandhya tries to get Prem attracted to her. But he is too embarrassed to even walk with her on the street. Prem and Sandhya's relationship continues to remain strained although they share a kiss and have sex on their second night together. Over time, Sandhya's frustration shows; when Prem's aunt brings up a petty topic, the two have a heated exchange of words and she tells them how he does not treat her well.

Amidst all this, a close friend of Prem's gets married. Prem and Sandhya go for the ceremony where due to his excessive drinking and jealousy over his friend's pretty wife, he tells everyone that sleeping with Sandhya feels like hell. Sandhya hears this and slaps him in front of his friends and he slaps her back. The following morning, Sandhya reflects on what she's been through, feels she has had enough and decides to leave Prem. She blames her father-in-law for his lack of respect towards women and not giving his son a proper education. Sandhya's mother tries to pacify her, saying she must return to her husband. But she decides that she can live by herself. Meanwhile, Prem decides to channel his energy into studying and to take his English paper again; he enrolls for the examination. His friends give up on him; after a verbal squabble, they throw him out of the group.

Subsequently, a friend's father opens a shop selling music CDs in the same market, clearly affecting their business. Prem's family talks to the shop-owner's family and the discussion ends with Prem's friend challenging him to participate and win the "Dum Lagao" contest. (The contest entails him carrying his wife on his shoulders and running an obstacle course.) Meanwhile, Sandhya and Prem reach the court to file divorce. The court decides that the two must spend six months with each other and try to salvage their marriage. Both decide to live together just as a formality but the two begin to get on, as they both start understanding each other. Sandhya gets accepted for a teaching job in Meerut.

Prem's aunt successfully convinces him to participate in the competition and the couple takes a last chance to save their marriage. The day arrives and much to the surprise of the society members, Prem and Sandhya join the participants. Surprisingly, Prem shoulders the weight of his wife and surges past all other contestants who fall. In the last lap, Sandhya confesses to Prem that she does not want to go to Meerut and wants Prem to let her stay. Prem knows winning this competition is the only way to do this and pushes himself further to eventually win the race.

Prem does not let Sandhya get off his back even after the race is over. He takes her back all the way to his house where they seal their love with a kiss.

Cast

Production

The story of the movie is set in Haridwar and Rishikesh. Dum Laga Ke Haisha is the first Bollywood film to be entirely shot in the twin temple towns. The script of Dum Laga Ke Haisha was written in 2007, almost seven years before the release.

The role of the housewife required the actress to be overweight. As a result, the final actress, Bhumi Pednekar, gained 30 kgs to land the role.

Release

The censor board muted the word "lesbian" and replaced four words in the film. The film had a platform release in India, opening on 775 screens. The film released in UAE on 23 April 2015. As of 20 March 2015, this film has not been released in North America or Europe.

Score

The film features original musical score composed by Italian composer Andrea Guerra. The composer best known for his score for the Will Smith starrer Pursuit of Happyness made his debut in Bollywood with this film.

Songs

Kumar Sanu has sung two songs in the film, while Sadhana Sargam makes a comeback with this album. Other singers are Papon, Kailash Kher, sisters Jyoti and Sultana Nooran, Malini Awasthi, Rahul Ram and Monali Thakur. Monali Thakur sang "Moh Moh Ke Dhage", for which she won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. All lyrics written by Varun Grover; all music composed by Anu Malik.

Critical reception

The Hindustan Times stated that while "You know from the onset that the guy will get his girl", the film "bucks stereotypes in many, many ways". Bollywood Hungama praised the film's lead actors Bhumi and Ayushman's performances, but criticised direction by Sharat Kataria and editing of the film. Koimoi rated the film 4 out of 5 stars. Shubhra Gupta of the Indian Express gave it 3.5 stars. Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave the film 3.5 stars. NDTV gave a positive review with 3.5 stars. Anuj Kumar of The Hindu praised the movie saying "Dum Laga Ke Haisha: A well-rounded effort".

Box office reception

Dum Laga Ke Haisha's total nett gross was ₹30.26 crore and the film was declared as a "Hit" by the Box Office India.

Box office

Box Office India stated the film opened well, earning ₹30 million (US$470,000) in first two days in India. The film nett. grossed around ₹30 million (US$470,000) on first Sunday to take the first weekend nett. gross to ₹60.5 million (US$940,000). The film nett. grossed ₹10.5 million (US$160,000) on first Monday. On its first Tuesday, the film saw fall in collections as it managed to collect ₹10 million (US$160,000) of 5th day,taking the five-day total to nett. ₹80.5 million (US$1.3 million). The film nett. grossed ₹175 million (US$2.7 million) in 10 days. Dum Laga Ke Haisha became one of the few Hindi films, which earned more in second weekend (₹67.5 million (US$1.1 million)) than the first weekend (₹60.5 million (US$940,000)). Dum Laga Ke Haisha recorded highest 5th weekend in 2015 with (₹11.3 million (US$180,000)) nett. gross. After a five-week run, the film earned ₹30.19 crore (US$4.7 million).