Have you heard people around you say how life used to be simpler when people did not have cell phones? Or, how have we become anti-social because of something that was supposed to bridge gaps and help us communicate better? Before you start feeling like your mother might be writing this review, let me assure you that Arjun Varain Singh’s directorial debut, ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’, delves into the perils of social media. But does it adopt the preachy tone of your parents scolding you for always being glued to your smartphone? Let’s find out.
‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’ stars Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gourav in the lead. They play three childhood besties – Ahana, Imaad and Neil. Right from the start, you may start to criticise the characters and their accents. They seem to be SoBo (South Bombay) kids living in a perfect apartment with wide French windows in Bombay. Yet, their occupations—a struggling stand-up comic and a multinational employee with an MBA—afford this lavish lifestyle.They ‘chill,’ they ‘vibe,’ with frames filtered akin to OAFF and Ankur Tiwari’s music filling the room. They also ‘hang out’ in pubs where the cover charges might be high enough to wipe away a week’s salary!
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But then, if you go beyond it and sit patiently for some time, you will definitely relate to the characters and what they are going through. After all, the side effects of social media, and the emotions that we undergo are similar and everyone shares it.
The trio is together all the time, but have their share of trauma and insecurities that they are dealing with. And how do they do that? Simple – by seeking validation on social media!
While Imaad is a Tinder ‘addict’ who has issues with long-term commitment, Ahana falls back to Instagram to gain her ex-boyfriend Rohan’s attention. Neil, on the other hand, is a gym trainer who’s looking for celebrity endorsements to help him with the dream of owning his own gym. He is also the odd one out, who does not have as much financial backing as his friends and feels that he lacks something in life. He tries to compare himself to others by looking at their social media post and spirals deeper into the abyss. The fact that his date, social media influencer Lala (Anya Singh), does not wish to ever share his pictures just widens his self-doubt.
The film’s writing stands out as a winner. Singh is credited for the story, while Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti are the masterminds behind the screenplay. So, instead of falling for tropes, the film cleverly navigates and intertwines their lives with the repercussions of social media addiction. Friendships come under the scanner, male egos clash, traumas unwind and social media addiction is dealt with all subtlety.
One very recurring comment on social media (after all, we can’t really do away with it, can we?) is how the actors seem to be nailing their act. When you watch the film, you will realise how true that is! The trio is perfect in their roles, with Kalki Koechlin performance adding an edge to it.
Ananya plays a mid 20s girl, whose hot boyfriend Rohan (Rohan Gurbaxani) has broken up with her for another hottie. She obsessively stalks her (visually portrayed very aptly with a spiralling staircase) and starts posting more photos to present this free-spirit persona on social media so that he crawls back to her. Their interaction by the end of the film, and Ahana’s realisation is beautifully brought out on screen and Ananya excels in her performance there.
She uses the Hinglish accent that South Mumbai and South Delhi youngsters are often trolled for, but never overdoes it. She also emerges as a good performer in the emotional sequences, and it is safe to say that she has grown a lot as an actor.
Adarsh Gourav is perfect as Neil Pereira, a gym trainer from humble roots (incidentally, their house is in a building called ‘Roots’) who aspires to match up to what his peers post on Instagram. He is a sneakerhead and rides a Bobber (because it is cool), yet he grapples with the deep-seated insecurity stemming from his roots. It spirals, with people’s comment cutting him like a sword, and he finally turns into a troll. He also hacks into Lala’s account and tries to expose her, only to realise that instead of making him feel better, he is going deeper into the misery that he is carrying around.
The character required a lot of finess that Gourav masterfully lends. He walks on a thin rope throughout the film, but never falls. With the film, he proves again that he is indeed a fine actor who we need to see more!
Finally, Siddhant Chaturvedi plays Imaad with an ease that is difficult to achieve. Imaad has been through a traumatic past, whose hints are dropped from the very start but is addressed by the end of the film. Through the interactions with his Tinder dates, the audience can make out that this man does not want to engage in anything that requires strong emotions. In fact, he has a void and the closest he has ever been is with his two BFFs. When he meets Simran (Kalki), an older, mature and more sorted individual, he is instantly emotionally invested but grapples to understand and process it. Siddhant has several layers to his character, and he is able to do justice to it.
Anya Singh’s character is mostly caricaturish, while Rohan Gurbaxani has limited scope and both of them deliver a fair performance.
Overall, at the beginning of the film, you may feel that ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’ is another Gen-Z story, but this one is a well-made film. What is portrayed in it is something we all go through, and the reliability quotient of the film is high. Coupled with strong visual representation, amazing writing, good direction and great performances, this one is a great watch. Watch it, unwind from social media and connect with friends; and what better time to do it than this festive week?
3.5 out of 5 stars for ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’
Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
