October 11, 2024: Streaming now on Prime, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha may evoke some nostalgia for fans of 2023’s Past Lives, the English-Korean drama. Both films share a narrative of long-lost love and rekindled emotions, but while Past Lives is minimalist and raw in its emotional delivery, Bollywood’s latest effort, directed by Neeraj Pandey, leans heavily on melodrama and cinematic flair.
The story opens with Krishna (Ajay Devgn), a convict serving a 23-year sentence for a double murder. Despite nearing the end of his sentence, Krishna refuses to leave the prison. The reason for his imprisonment and his unwillingness to leave forms the crux of the plot—although the storyline itself feels thin and at times dragged out.
In a series of flashbacks to 2001, we meet a younger Krishna, played by Shantanu Maheshwari, deeply in love with Vasudha (Saiee Manjrekar). The chemistry between the younger versions of Krishna and Vasudha is vital, setting the emotional foundation for when their older selves, portrayed by Ajay Devgn and Tabu, come into play. As their paths diverge, a single night changes everything. Questions arise: Why didn’t Vasudha wait for Krishna? Why doesn’t Krishna want to leave prison? What forces eventually bring them back together?
A Daily Soap Wrapped in Film: AMKDT attempts to blend the conventional with the unconventional, particularly in its portrayal of love across different ages—young and impulsive love contrasted with older, more practical love. However, the first half of the film moves at an excruciatingly slow pace, packed with flashbacks that feel unnecessary and drawn out. The attempt to create intrigue through a mysterious past is overdone, and the narrative pacing suffers as a result. The slow unfolding feels akin to a ‘maha-episode’ of a soap opera rather than a cinematic experience.
When the reveal of that fateful night finally arrives, it feels a little too late. And just when you think you’re prepared for what’s next, the second half takes an unexpected turn. Without giving too much away, the structure feels reminiscent of Anees Bazmee’s Welcome, albeit in a dramatic rather than comedic fashion. The same pivotal sequence of events is shown from different points of view multiple times, dragging the film further into soap opera territory.
Moments of Humor Shine: Despite its dramatic tone, the film manages to sprinkle in a few light-hearted moments. Some well-written one-liners and clever references lift the film, if only briefly. A notable moment involves Ajay’s friend turning on the radio, which then plays Jeeta Tha Jiske Liye from Devgn’s own film Dilwale, drawing cheers from the audience. When the film takes a lighter approach, it shines, but unfortunately, those moments are fleeting.
Performances and Music: Ajay Devgn and Tabu, seasoned actors at this point, glide through their roles without much heavy lifting. Their performances are solid but unsurprising, as they’ve played similar roles many times before. Jimmy Sheirgill once again finds himself in the stereotyped role of the unlucky man who never gets the girl. Shantanu Maheshwari impresses in his role, bringing charm and depth to his character, while Saiee Manjrekar gets a meatier role compared to her debut in Dabangg and makes the most of it.
The film’s music, composed by Oscar-winner M.M. Keeravani, is forgettable and adds little to the overall experience. Some of the songs, particularly Ae Dil Zara, feel out of place and unnecessarily drag the film’s pacing.
Verdict: While Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha has its moments, particularly in the performances of its younger cast, the film suffers from a bloated runtime and a storyline that feels like it belongs on television rather than the big screen. With a bit more editing and narrative focus, this could have been an engaging exploration of love and time. Instead, it leaves the audience feeling like the film itself, as its last line suggests—”Sometimes, it never ends.”
