The ‘self-worth’ becomes a rampant realisation in Do Deewane Shaher Mein. It follows romance; it has that soothing love story that you would want to give a shot. In all the ways we live, we always find ourselves in the tear-up that we’re not on a pedestal enough to receive that kind of love, with the insecurities we hide. The film shows that, on the apt.
The story follows the narrative of Roshni (Mrunal Thakur) and Shashank (Siddhant Chaturvedi), both driven by their own insecurities. Shashank Sharma is a talented marketing professional at a leading multinational. He grapples with a speech impediment that renders the “sh” sound elusive, transforming it into “sa” and colouring every word with anxiety. This challenge has turned high-stakes corporate environments into daunting obstacles, eroding his confidence and prompting him to shrink from presentations and meetings—even as his talent and potential shine unmistakably through. On the other hand, Roshni is a fashion content creator who struggles with her body image. She hides behind her thick glasses and feels that her outer image doesn’t conform to society’s definition of ‘beauty.’
The two meet at an arranged marriage setup; however, while Shashank gets awed, Roshni rejects the idea. However, Shashank remains adamant and tries to pursue Roshni. Roshni opens up, and the two form a connection. As their bond deepens, their personal insecurities—Shashank’s paralysing anxiety around public speaking and Roshni’s fraught relationship with her own self-image—slowly surface, subtly straining their connection. The tension comes to a head with a seemingly innocuous comment from Shashank, who offhandedly suggests that Roshni looks better without her glasses. This remark, laden with unintended implication, becomes the catalyst for a painful misunderstanding and a brief but poignant rift between them.
The supporting cast infuses the film with vibrancy and authenticity, each actor leaving a distinct mark. Ila Arun’s Geetha radiates warmth and cultural nuance, while Joy Sengupta’s Shiva anchors the ensemble with quiet gravitas. Deepraj Rana and Mona Ambegaonkar bring layered emotion as Shashank’s parents, and Ayesha Raza’s Deepika embodies the film’s embrace of imperfection. Sandeepa Dhar charms as Naina, Viraj Ghelani stands out as Ajay, and Achint Kaur’s Nandhini lends pivotal support. Naveen Kaushik and Inesh Kotian, as Karthik and Sid, complete a dynamic circle of family and colleagues, enriching the protagonists’ world with subtlety and depth.
Directed by Ravi Udyawar, Do Deewane Shaher Mein is produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali under the banner Bhansali Productions.
IWMBuzz rates it 3/5 stars.
