The sweet romance, Ek ladki ko Dekha toh aisa laga is a significant juncture for the desi LGBTQIA+ community, who has been long starved for depiction. Bollywood’s first portrayal of a lesbian relationship is charismatic, with the supportive presence of Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and father Anil. The act by Anil Kapoor as the patriarch who loves watching cookery shows and had dreams of becoming “India’s best chef” gives an extra score to the film. He himself is battling with his love for cooking because his mother thinks it is something a girl should do. The father of two grownups is still under his mother’s pressures and struggles with his real identity. Sonam K Ahuja well served by the groove of screen facade that keeps sassiness at bay projects a convincing intermingle of accountability and affirmation in a way that only she can. Sonam and her love Kuhu played by Regina Cassandra are pitch-perfect in portraying their emotions.
Sonam brings a sense of susceptibility to her role. Sonam as an introverted, calm girl translates reasonably well on the screen. She has given her finest as a rural community girl coming to terms as her distinctiveness and its consequent complications. Anil Kapoor, as always, gets absolutely into the sway of things and livens up the film with his charisma. As an affectionate father, he nails it, and as a gentle dad who had a dream of becoming a MasterChef.
Anil in the role of Balbeer Singh Chaudhary plays his part not only as a loving but concerned father very well. By profession, he is a rich garment factory owner but his heart is set his life-long dream of becoming a chef. He is amusing throughout the film. The chemistry between the real-life father and daughter feels heartfelt. Anil, like always, is brimming with energy which translates into correct emotions almost all the time. The scene was very well crafted, where Sonam is in a glass cage and the emotions that we see in Anil Kapoor’s face is surreal.
Sonam Kapoor is surprisingly in her best element here. She delivers a powerful performance as sweety who is, for the most part of the film, like a caged bird, trying not to express the stress and grief that fills her heart.
The treatment and flow of the script of the story could have been better. The plot was woven with a loose knot and lacked chemistry between Sonam Kapoor and Regina Cassandra. There was no passionate romance shown between the two people who are involved in a romantic relationship. Juhi Chawla and Anil Kapoor’s had a cheerful presence and chemistry between them was splendid. The comic timing and humor were good. They did not portray a good love story; it seemed a good friendship like any other female besties. The story seemed out of sync at times. Background music could have been better. The film was shot very adequately; the theatre scenes were brilliantly presented.
