‘Socha Na Tha,’ Imtiaz Ali’s debut from 2005, presents a story of urban life. The dialogues are witty, but the film prioritizes portraying contemporary connections over depicting real human interactions. The film’s theme is similar to Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. Ayesha Takia gives a memorable performance. The film’s plot has shortcomings. Abhay Deol, in his debut, attempts to emulate Saif Ali Khan’s wit. The film addresses communal issues with cleverness, but the narrative’s purpose is sometimes undermined.
‘Love Aaj Kal,’ released in 2020, is a film where Kartik Aaryan demonstrates his willingness to take risks. The film portrays love as a source of trauma. Kartik Aaryan’s performance is impressive. The film relies on music to evoke the 1990s. The relationship between Kartik’s Veer and Sara’s Zoe is complicated. Sara Ali Khan’s performance is not without issues. The film includes some brilliant moments, but is largely weak. The protagonists end up in Himachal, with Kartik Aaryan providing a balancing presence.