Walk in the clouds: Saba (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) finds herself falling for Ayan (Ranbir Kapoor).(Picture by Fox star studios)

Through a story of one-sided love, Indian director Karan Johar once again mesmerizes audiences with unique heart-throbbing passion.

Johar shocked audiences when he created the movie Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, the story of two married people who had an affair, broke up each other’s marriages and ended up together.

This time around, in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Johar features heartbroken women who would rather live without falling in love, preferring platonic relationships.

The movie starts with Alizeh (Anushka Sharma) and Ayan (Ranbir Kapoor) hitting it off at a party in London and making out in a room before stopping to confess that they are both already in relationships.

That night they end up bar hopping and learning more about each other, including the fact they both come from rich families.

Alizeh then invites Ayan to join her for a double date but they end up finding their lovers making out in a toilet.

Devastated, Ayan starts whining and crying while Alizeh scolds him, telling him to be strong like her.

The incident brings the two closer together. They plan a trip to Europe together, sleeping in the same rooms as friends and nothing more.

Alizeh fulfills her dream of walking in the mountains like an actress in a Bollywood movie while Ayan practices his singing. He wants to be a famous singer one day and Alizeh encourages him but says he needs improvement, reminding him that a good singer is one who has seen the hardships of life.

As they become more familiar with each other, Alizeh confides in Ayan about her true love DJ Ali (Fawad Khan), who dumped her for his work and other women.

During their trip, Alizeh bumps into Ali in a bar, but gets upset and returns to her hotel to pack up and leave the city. Ayan has arranged a private jet to pick them up.
Unbeknown to them, Ali is waiting outside the hotel and when the pair leaves the building, Ali stops Alizeh, telling her he still loves her. Alizeh succumbs, pushing Ayan to go back to London by himself.

A few months later, Ayan gets a call from Alizeh who ended up in Lucknow, India. She is marrying Ali and wants Ayan to attend.

Ayan attends the wedding and sings for Alizeh, telling her that his one-sided love for her has brought a lot of pain to his life. But Alizeh insists her love for him is purely platonic. Upset, Ayan walks out of the wedding.

On the way back, in the airport’s business class lounge, Ayan meets Saba (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), who is a poet. They hit it off and start chatting.

The movie continues with more scenes of the two women who desire to be loved and long to feel love, but are not willing to fall in love.

Kudos to the intense acting of the actors, especially Sharma and Kapoor. The direction is up to the standards of a creative movie, complimented by good cinematography, picturesque scenery and unique locations.

The only setback is that Johar takes too long to introduce Ayan and Alizeh’s relationship, resulting in a dragging 30 minutes. The time could have been used to introduce Saba’s character.

Saba popping up in the middle of the movie is a bit off as well, as though she was suddenly pushed into the story. These things, however, are forgivable, considering Johar’s unique storyline, music and poetic dialogue, which make the movie a worthwhile watch.

— Photos courtesy of Fox Star Studios

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Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

(Fox Star Studios, 157 minutes)

Directed by Karan Johar
Starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Fawad Khan

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