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To say goodbye to another year, it only makes sense to release a film that is all about new beginnings. A new relationship, a new sense of self, a new feeling of trust. Netflix’s latest Bollywood film, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (Translation: “Where did we lose ourselves?”) explores these types of new experiences as it follows Imaad, Ahana, and Neil, three best friends each leading their own independent lives while also being thick as thieves. As life explodes for each of them at different times and the power of social media becomes overwhelming, it takes a journey of self-discovery and acceptance in order to grow up from the mistakes of the past. The film stars Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, and Adarsh Gourav.
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It’s been no surprise that to a degree, compared to its counterparts throughout the Indian film industry, Bollywood has been in quite the rut as it struggles to move forward in a world that is becoming more and more progressive. The visuals are fresh and updated but the stories, the themes, and the values can feel stale and out of touch. But it’s also no surprise that Bollywood is going through a much-needed transition, what with the wave of new actors and actresses for today’s generation and the modernism of filmmaking and storytelling. It is as if the youth of today is declaring that their time is now. That’s where films like Kho Gaye Hum Kahan come into play, telling stories that are relatable in the present-day world with present-day goals and conflicts.
It’s very clear that Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’s target audience is predominantly Gen Z, particularly with the heavy focus on dating and relationships, the way social media is a major component of the lives of the main characters, and the alternative way of thinking that vastly contrasts older generations. While sometimes the contrast is for the better, it can also be to the detriment of the characters as we watch each of them embark on journeys they did not expect to take. And of course, the film can seem juvenile as it caters to the decisions and lifestyles of Gen Z or even some Millennials. But Kho Gaye Hum Kahan speaks to the very real hardships we endure in the world we live in. The film goes so far as to introduce the lack of balance between want and need as the lines become blurred and we forget that sometimes familial relationships hold more value than our materialistic collections and hobbies. And if we’re being honest, that is something that comes with living in a society that values materialistic ownership over everything else.
For example, we witness one character receiving consistent therapy sessions but remains in fear of commitment as he frequents the infamous Tinder app for one night dates. In a different situation, we have another character struggling to cope with the end of a long-term relationship as she becomes obsessed with creating a false narrative of her life on Instagram. In many ways, the film heavily explores the hold social media has on our lives, no matter who we are or what generation we are a part of. Sure, one can receive instant gratification and validation through online posts from friends, family, and strangers alike. But on the other side of the coin, there can also be false identities that are created to hide an entire world of hurt or cause tremendous amounts of pain.
But it’s not just the thematic elements that give Kho Gaye Hum Kahan so much value. It’s also the way the film gives us three main characters to follow, each with their own story that starts off separate from one another only to end up becoming intertwined. Because of how well-balanced each story is and how we get to see equal amounts of each character as they grow and learn, the film allows the audience to connect and feel sympathetic or even empathetic with the characters. Let’s call it what it is: Many multi-storyline films fail to successfully pull this off while Kho Gaye Hum Kahan nails it with ease. And getting us to care about the characters on a deeper level isn’t just the result of a well-written story. It’s the result of performances that embody simple roles that anyone can relate to, and we only have the talents of our main cast, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, and Adarsh Gourav, to thank for this.
If you haven’t figured out what to watch this New Year’s Eve, do yourself a favor and watch Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. Allow yourself to embrace change, connect with unique and fun characters, and be inspired to move on and do better for yourself. And if you’re a longtime Bollywood fan who has been desperate for something new from the industry, this is definitely something you can’t miss out on. Not only does the film bring something new and fun to the table, but it is guaranteed to make you feel something. Because even if you’re lost and wondering where you should go next, sometimes it takes a film like this to strike inspiration.
Samosa Rating:
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan receives 4.5 out of 5 Samosas.
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is now streaming on Netflix.
Runtime: 2h 15m
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