Vidya Balan’s ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’ is hailed as a refreshing addition to Bollywood, offering a playful twist to the theme of infidelity. The film, directed by debutant Shirsha Guha Thakurta, benefits from a stellar cast including Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz, and Sendhil Ramamurthy.

‘Cheating’ as a concept is not new to Indian cinema, but debutant director and acclaimed ad filmmaker Shirsha Guha Thakurta has infused a playful and poised flavour into the plot, which commands an element of honest intrigue. Throw in the reliable Vidya Balan, the nonchalant Pratik Gandhi, and notable performances by Ileana D’Cruz and Sendhil Ramamurthy, and you get all the right ingredients for an easy-breezy rom-com that’s worth your time and energy.

Do Aur Do Pyaar: The plot

Vidya and Pratik’s characters are in a marriage that has clearly passed the ‘honeymoon’ phase, and transitioned onto the mundane, where conversations have reduced merely to AC temperature and the size of garbage bags. While this may seem like the norm in many a long-term, committed relationship, the two protagonists don’t seem to find good reason or the time to make adjustments, and instead, look outside the marriage for excitement, distraction from daily monotony, and to create a world that is free of judgement and predictability.

No prizes for guessing, the plot thickens, only for the two of them to find some sort of reconnection and comfort with and in each other all over again, all while living this life of chaos and duality. The film takes us through various human emotions, exploring a grey area that is relatable to most of us on some level. Ileana and Sendhil’s characters inject a nuanced layer of complexity into the storyline, defying conventional villainous archetypes by portraying a more humanistic dimension.

Vidya Balan as Kavya Ganeshan

Vidya is her reliable self in Do Aur Do Pyaar, and there’s an ease with which she portrays ‘Kavz’ aka Kavya Ganeshan. Her character has an established and well-defined rapport with every other character in the film, which is something that could be rather difficult to achieve. While the majority of the film boasts a formulaic narrative structure that maintains audience engagement, there exist pivotal moments where a deeper emotional resonance was expected.

For instance, amidst the film’s gripping narrative, a crucial scene falls short of evoking a heartfelt connection: as Kavya stands alongside her father, she bravely confronts the painful truth of her upbringing, expressing how the absence of love and affection from him drove her to seek solace in readily available affection, ultimately leading to her infidelity. Despite the potential for emotional depth, the scene lacks the necessary exploration and fails to leave a lasting, thought provoking impact. Yet, Vidya’s performance transcends the script’s limitations, infusing even these moments with a raw emotional intensity that manages to resonate

Nevertheless, Vidya’s acting anchored the film, elevating even weaker scenes to a higher emotional level than they might have reached otherwise.

Pratik Gandhi as Anirudh Banerjee

While most would understandably dub Vidya as the soul of the film, we’d have to say that for us, it’s Pratik’s ‘Ani’. Undoubtedly one of the most effortless and nonchalant performances served by the actor, Ani is controlled, enjoyable unhurried, and strangely simplistic in his thought process. One would assume that someone who can pull of an extra marital affair and not get caught would have mastered the art of manipulation, but Pratik’s character evidently hasn’t. And what’s interesting is that he doesn’t possess the urge to try.

One might assume that someone skilled enough to engage in an extramarital affair without detection would be adept at manipulation, yet Pratik’s character defies this expectation. Interestingly, he lacks the inclination to manipulate and, when faced with challenges, exhibits resistance rather than resorting to manipulation. For instance, when ‘Rosy’ aka ‘Nora’ sends a grand piano to his house, causing anxiety about explaining it to his wife, he instinctively rejects the gesture, urging her to cease such actions.

He likes things simple, but his need for validation and a place that’s free of judgement overpowers him, leading him to find an interest in a woman who accepts him for the mess that he is.

Pratik brings a certain sincerity to the role that enables him to free the character from being hated for cheating on his wife of 15 years. He’s truly the star of the show, and has everyone convinced that he although his deeds may say otherwise, he’s just a clueless guy whose navigating a quarter life crisis and unprocessed grief.

Sendhil Ramamurthy as Vikram

Sendhil looks the part. He’s a dapper photographer who is financially sound and emotionally charged. He’s got the sexy accent going on, and his desire to convey his feelings in broken Hindi only adds to the charm. While Sendhil’s performance in Do Aur Do Pyaar is generally commendable, there’s a noticeable lack of empathy towards his character, despite his efforts to provide security and understanding to Vidya’s ‘Kavya.’

This dissonance may stem from script deficiencies rather than Sendhil’s acting prowess, as the dialogue often veers into overly dramatic territory, hindering the establishment of a genuine connection between him and Kavya. The dialogues seemed over-the-top corny, almost verging on annoying, and there was an apparent lack in chemistry between him and Vidya. Despite attempts to portray sexual tension, their on-screen chemistry falls flat, failing to convey the depth of Kavya’s struggle to connect with someone other than her husband.

Her emotional scenes, particularly when she cries, resonate deeply with the audience. Ileana’s expressive eyes effectively convey a range of emotions, from love to anger to jealousy. Her emotional scenes, particularly when she cries, resonate deeply with the audience. Ileana’s expressive eyes effectively convey a range of emotions, from love to anger to jealousy. Despite her character’s vulnerability, it’s subtly portrayed, adding depth to her portrayal. In the encounter between Rosie and Kavya at the dental chamber, the palpable tension is expertly conveyed through Ileana’s spot-on body language. Rosie’s impulsive nature and lack of maturity are convincingly depicted, making her a standout character in the film.

Do Aur Do Pyaar: The verdict

Do Aur Do Pyaar presents a charming narrative tailored to its target audience, blending elements of rawness, authenticity, recklessness, and romance. Its relaxed pace offers a pleasant viewing experience, although it may not deliver ground-breaking insights into love, marriage, and infidelity. However, the film encourages viewers to reflect on the significance of finding friendship within romantic relationships, sparking a subtle contemplation on what sustains a marriage. While it may not leave a profound impact, Do Aur Do Pyaar succeeds in engaging its audience sufficiently.