Loosely based on P.G.Wodehouse’s novel “A Damsel in Distress”, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga (ELKDTAL) gives it a same-sex relationship twist. Handled quite well without any of the snide remarks or outright buffoonery that usually is the hallmark of mainstream Hindi cinema on this topic or character depiction (maybe because it was directed and written by women), ELKDTAL, which I saw this evening, deftly weaves the subject matter in the garb of a comedy to make the “bold” (yes even in 2019 one needs air quotes) topic palatable to the Indian audience.
Rajkummar Rao as the hapless suitor and Anil Kapoor as the doting father and closet chef are their usual reliable self, ably supported by an ensemble cast of Brijendra Kala, Seema Pahwa and others topped off by Juhi Chawla and her “mind shattering” Punjaban caterer and wannabe actress. Finally, coming to Sonam K Ahuja (née Sonam Kapoor) in the title role, she has the unenviable task of pulling off a balancing act which she does for the most part but does succumb intermittently. Good effort overall.
February 8, 2019