REVIEW: Dil Kabaddi

It's no longer about the seven year itch. In the world of Dil Kabaddi, a modern-day marriage is a daily struggle from the word go. Something that pushes people to explore more exciting options outside wedlock.

High flying executive Samit (Irrfan Khan) and his control freak wife Mita (Soha Ali Khan) are bored of their stagnant married life. While Mita longs for a sensitive, level-headed partner, our fun-loving Samit craves for a naughtier and more adventurous sex life. Samit finds a perfect sex goddess in his hot, aerobics instructor Kaya (Payal Rohatgi) and moves in with her to get some real action.

Samit and Mita's mutual separation prompts the seemingly perfect couple Rishi (Rahul Bose) and Simi (Konkona Sen Sharma) to take a re-look at their marriage. And as expected, they realise there is nothing called a perfect relationship. Rishi, a pseudo intellectual professor, secretly fantasises about his young, attractive student Raga. And the over critical columnist Simi has sexual desires of her own that she never quite confronts. Enter the handsome art director Veer (Rahul Khanna) who is just recovering from a broken relationship. Simi is swept off her feet by Veer who on the other hand falls for the lonely Mita. But this love vs. lust dilemma ends up complicating things further, as the couples are forced to analyse their priorities.

Talking into the camera

Dil Kabaddi has a familiar urban setting that's a staple of most multiplex films. The characters and situations are also nothing out of the ordinary. And much like other films of this genre - like say a Pyaar Ke Side Effects or Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd - this one is also what most critics call 'a character driven film'. So you have actors regularly talking into the camera and dialogue that is conversational, in keeping with the plot (or lack of it). But despite a predictable premise, Dil Kabaddi works well in most parts. There is a good balance between the stereotype and unconventional. So while most of the jokes are sexist, the women too make their choices, some brave some traditional. The men of course have all the fun. But then this is a film and not a moral science lecture.

What holds the movie together is its spontaneous performances and hilarious comic portions. The pick of the lot are Irrfan Khan's sequences, who seems to have had a blast playing this character. As the self-confessed sex addict he is the life of the film. Whether he is justifying infidelity or coming up with bizarre erotic games, Irrfan cruises along effortlessly though his scenes. His track is what sustains your interest even in the duller portions of the film.