Campus-capers have always been a delightful warfare for new genre of filmmakers. Such movies offer enough funky substance and meat to rejoice with lots of humorous and chirpy situational punches and gags. This was witnessed lately in Rakesh Mehra's super successful 'Rang De Basanti' that had the backdrop of Delhi University. 'Dil Dosti Etc' tries to rejuvenate the same environment of "masti" of Delhi University in this fun loving cool caper. It carries the similar youthful buzz in its situational romance, action and lewd moments but the desired substance of emoting the heart is completely missing.
Realistic cinema has bestowed some really engrossing aspects of filmmaking and black comedy is one such aspect from where the film relishes with its plots and characters. 'Dil Dosti Etc' brings a basic idea that when we are young and believe that possibilities are endless. These possibilities can be in the form of betrayal, greed, friendship, voyeurism, sexual perversion and love, coming in one's way of life.
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'Dil Dosti Etc' should be complimented for its racy cosmopolitan thrill that it creates by plagiarizing real life incidents with some whacky and lewd humor. The film has outlook of hi-profile Page 3 parties, big ambitions of reaching the top in the glam world, filth of red-light areas and university politics with some engrossing moments. The film touches almost every aspect in its first phase but the latter half fails to culminate the essence of narrator's thinking about life. 'Dil Dosti Etc' flourishes as an autobiographical narration of a rich and confused billionaire Apurva (Imaad Shah) and about his experiences about love, lust, passion, education and flirtatious attitude in life. It tracks down some really splendid ideas, but the climax looks absurd.
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'Dil Dosti Etc' explores the significance of "dil" (heart), "dosti" (friendship) with a bit of etc that adds spice and sometimes sorrow in one's life. Undoubtedly, the film draws its inspiration from the splendid success of 'Rang De Basanti' as the director prefers to shoot the film in the surroundings of Delhi University. Filmmaker Prakash Jha has so far been introspective about Bihar politics and that has worked well in his 'Gangajaal' and 'Apaharan', but this time he is completely inclined towards the metropolitan style of entertainment. Since multiplexes are heavily patronized by teenagers and youngsters, 'Dil Dosti Etc' is his trendiest endeavor so far. Director Manish Tiwary impresses as a competent storyteller when he tries to pitch some real life humor and spice in its execution and narration. The film carries the youthful fever but the introspective outlook about university life and the glam world is far from adequate.
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'Dil Dosti Etc' centers around two hostellers - Sanjay Mishra (Shreyas Talpade) and Apurv (Imaad Shah) - who study in Delhi University but are as different as chalk from cheese. If Apurv belongs to cosmopolitan Delhi, then Sanjay hails from Bihar. Apurv is the son of a rich billionaire and Sanjay belongs to the middle class family of Bihar. Apurv's approach towards life and love is quite puzzling as he tries to find love everywhere while Sanjay plans for golden career in college politics. Apurv finds solace in the company of prostitute - Vaishali (Smriti Mishra) and tries to find the meaning of true love by associating himself with school girl - Kintu (Ishitta Sharma). His approach towards love is flirtatious and he is like a silent Casanova with world at its feet. Sanjay's love interest is hi-profile college girl, Prerna (Nikita Anand), who dreams of making big in the glam world. 'Dil Dosti Etc' moves forward with these love relationships and aims at the solution of having a contended love life.
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Prostitute Vaisali (Smriti Mishra) has never been emotionally attached to her countless customers and so also with Apurva. The relation grows intense when she tries to date him and nurses love for him but everything goes berserk. On the contrary, school girl Kintu (Ishitta Sharrma) knows that Apurv is flirting with her. She even settles for physical relationship but is still confused about taking any firm decision. The ending sounds a bit absurd when the director fails to explain her stand on this love-relationship.
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Model Prerna (Nikita Anand) being attracted to Apurva and having sexual relationship has no concrete grounding. Even her carrying on relationship with obstinate Sanjay who resents her modeling career remains unexplained.
'Dil Dosti Etc' could have been really a delightful endeavor if all substantial variables about characters were confronted with desired skills. Apurva's (Imaad Shah) character is largely built and inspired from Siddarth's character in 'Rang De Basanti', but the razor-edged characterization is completely missing. Why do Apurva and Sanjay converse about sex and love in their meetings? Life is beyond sex and love, too. So why neglect other aspects of life? Apurva's first choice of dating with prostitute is confusing. Was it out of loneliness or greed for sex? Imaad Shah is completely a big miscast in the character and his acting needs a lot more polishing before he plays pivotal role in a commercial film.
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So, 'Dil Dosti Etc' completely belongs to Shreyas Talpade and it's indeed a good comeback for him after disastrous 'Aggar'. Unfortunately, his characterization of playing a college big boss has some meat and it shows in the first half of the film where he confronts the rival gang. Manish Tiwary has failed to conceptualize the filth and dirt of college politics and even all planted love relationships are half baked. Shreyas' death in the end is quite confusing and so does the narration that fails to pinpoint the real culprit.
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Debutante Manish Tiwary has innovative subject in his hand but the execution lacks gripping for a competent entertainer. But, overall it's a good first attempt at multiplex cinema. Cinematography (Arvind K) captures the urbane rowdy culture of Delhi University with ease. Music (Siddarth-Suhas) has tracks like "Dum Laaga" that can really fuel up youthful passions. Shreyas Talpade is outstanding while Imaad Shah disappoints with his impoverished diction and unpolished acting skills. Nikita Anand, Ishita Sharma and Smrita Mishra have been daring and bold in their assigned characters and have complemented well with the needs of the script. 'Dil Dosti Etc' will be drawing major crowds in Delhi where it is expected to meet with promising results. Like all youth-oriented films, it's likely to be opening to big houses during the first three days but thereafter there can be decline in collections.
