Dedh Ishqiya
2014 · Directed by Abhishek Chaubey
Original language: Hindi
- comedy
- drama
- romance
The story
A team of con men fall for a Begum and her female confidante. Does their love fructify?
What it’s like
Warm, dusty courtyards and candlelit palace rooms in the crumbling Nawabi town of Bhopal, with lamplit interiors, rich ochre and burgundy textiles, and ornate Mughal-era architecture bathed in amber light. The camera lingers in mid-length takes on sly glances and card-table close-ups, and the music leans on ghazals and sitar-tinged orchestration, so every sung verse feels like a seduction. The vibe is witty, romantic and faintly decadent, a caper played with a grin and a sigh, best for a lazy evening with a glass of wine or a comfort watch when you want charm over tension. Pacing is leisurely but playful, with banter doing much of the work, and the emotional register stays light and teasing, following a pair of scheming rogues who gradually find their hearts slipping out of their control. Intensity is low: a few brief scuffles and some sensual innuendo, with no gore and no real menace. It suits viewers who love old-fashioned romantic comedy, lush period costume, and the pleasure of watching clever people be outplayed by their own feelings.
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