A female actress makes her way to the league of elites only after delivering a superb performance in a ‘serious’ film. By ‘serious’, we never mean a so-called ‘ART’ film. Hence, Kriti Sanon deservedly stole the spotlight with her ‘Mimi’ role but can be easily ignored in films like ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’.
We are confused if the word ‘comeback’ should apply to an actress who already has made an appearance in 6 films in the last couple of years. However, Kriti’s career has never followed a simple linear path. In her latest movie, she has willingly broken the shackles of monotony of her previous role and risked playing a robot, introducing her super sensational side on a different note.
‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’ is a romantic comedy, wherein the actress overcomes one obstacle to reach the next level. Debutant writers-directors Aradhana Sah and Amit Joshi have stacked up challenges after challenges for Kriti, from casting Shahid Kapoor who has always been brilliant in the genre right from his Bollywood debut.
It is not the first rom-com in Kriti’s career. However, in ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, she has teamed with a chocolaty cute romantic star Shahid who has proved his mettle in the genre with different actresses of a wider range and unique acting skill.
Even the audience are aware of his incredible hold over such a rom-com character and know well how the actor will deliver with comfortable ease. The actor does not let them down either.
With Shahid stealing the show with his unmistakable romantic look and great comic timing, Kriti had the responsibility to carry the mystery and movie forward. How can she convincingly fit in as a character in a romantic film characterised by intense chemistry, powerful physical desire and romance-incensed flirting enough to make a damsel blush?
Audiences know how Shahid looks effortlessly convincing with his romantic gaze but little did they expect that from Kriti Sanon.
Almost the first half of the movie plays out on how the couple lock their glance. It is not only about their intriguing and interesting first meeting in the US but also their moments of getting closer to each other. Kriti never gets tired of her masked flirting with Shahid.
She is blunt coz she is programmed to behave that way and feel happy at flirting back, to Shahid’s utter surprise. Beyond that, Kriti does something with her eyes in that particular scene, which became her pleasant trademark throughout the movie. A pair of twinkling eyes can do magic and she has provided it right.
Kirti had done an amazing job by playing a robot and not for a single moment, she looks boring. Though robotic, she is not stripped of emotion. It was not easy for her to slip into a neutral character that is not flat as commonly perceived.
Though the movie is a rom-com, there are different layers of emotions that the responsibility to deliver a believable performance rests with her and she shines through every shade even when playing her part as super intelligent female robot automation. Shahid falls in love with a robotic woman who reacts through the twinkles of her eyes.
Kriti’s acting in ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’ is the finest specimen of a talented performer who has already showed and showered her magic in commercial song-dance movies. She has burst into the league of mainstream actresses since her first movie Heropanti in 2014.
However, nothing comes closer to her performance in her latest release where the actress has exceptionally blended her style, personality and range. In 2017, her movie Raabta became an epic failure but even then the actress showed her effortless on-screen ease. The movie made her a star, with a perfect marriage of her clothes, styling and makeup.
The same year, Bareilly Ki Barfi had its theatrical release and Kriti came a long way as an actor. She essayed her small-town character as Bitti Mishra despite having some experienced stalwarts like Rajkumar Rao and Ayusmann Khurrana. A flash of her skill also showed through Luka Chuppi but it did not work at box office.
Things changed after she won a National Award for her role in Mimi. However, the movie revolved around some serious topics like womanhood, motherhood etc and where Pankaj Tripathy shows glaring glimpses of her brilliant comedy sense. But in her latest movie, she is a robot, a character far different from her glam avatar.
It becomes a baggage for mainstream actors/actresses when they play in a serious role. The more unfortunate part is audiences tend to think that it is an easy feat or not worthy of a watch. With audiences’ expectations being completely different, actors’ struggle in this genre becomes more difficult.
The situation is more difficult for female stars who are often sidelined and end up being a glam addition rather than contributing much to the movie. With such a conventional prism of judging female actresses’ performance, they get noticed only with their appearance in serious movies that deal with a societal issue.
So, it becomes easier for Kriti to draw the spotlight towards her every mood and move in Mimi whereas she runs the risk of getting relegated to the brink of ‘watch and forget’ in ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’ for its lightness though the actress gives her best to pull it off.
However, it does not take away from the fact that she wasted her potential with her commercial movies in the last few years. After Mimi, none of her films lived up to audiences’ expectations. Fortunately, things are going to change with her latest outing. The actress has made a fine example of her acting range with controlled emotion and consistent performance. It was tricky and Kriti has passed the test with a good grade.
Her performance will hopefully silence her critics. She looks differently beautiful in her ‘robotic’ look that can easily make her stand out from human crowds. Style meets substance throughout the movie and the actor graces the screen with her sublime beauty and believable performance.
Kriti is the pivot of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. She succeeds and shines as a robot while giving challenges to audiences that they will end up loving her.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Day 6 Collection
The movie hit theatres on February 9. It grossed Rs 6.75 crore on Wednesday (the 6th day of its release) in the domestic market, and earned Rs 41. 35 crore in 6 days.
Summary: Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Day is Kriti Shanon’s latest commercial outing. She manages to marry style, sense and sensibilities to essay a role that is far different from a mainstream actor’s glam avatar. She breathes life in a robot and makes audiences, besides Shahid, fall in love with her.
