What I am trying to convey here in this review is, I am unable to open my eyes to see properly I hope you will take into consideration that I have experienced something that completely destroyed my mind, and set my tear ducts ablaze. This film “Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat” is a masterpiece of chaos, a true cinematic explosion that left my eyes red, and my soul questioning its existence. My eyes were bright and clear when I first walked into the theater, and by the time I walked out they could hardly handle looking at the sun. It wasn’t the brightness that caused damage – it was the memory of what I just witnessed. “Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat” is that type of film – venomous, absurd, strangely enjoyable, and so hilariously amusing that it will loop back to being a form of entertainment.
I’m not joking when I say that I am telling you the truth – my kidneys released tears, blood came out of my eyes, and laughter came out of my lungs. This film is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – not because it’s good, but because of how recklessly insane it is that it defines cinematic bravery. If you want to know what I mean, simply view its teaser trailer. After viewing the teaser trailer, you will be immediately aware of the extent of insanity that you’re going to enter. However, prior to entering, please remain seated and continue reading this complete review. It’s been 2 days since this film has been released, and since seeing it, surviving it, and recovering from it, I’ve compiled reactions from others – and my horror-filled appreciation.
The Fire That Draws the Moth
After viewing the Mocktail Meter – 78% Skip Rate – I realized what I would be walking into. Nevertheless, similar to a moth that draws to the flames, I couldn’t help but go. Everyone cautioned me – however, curiosity is a deadly poison. The film called to me such as a siren whispering, “Come and see how far I can go.” And I went. What a ride it was. The reason I took two days to write this review is not due to laziness – I was literally building up emotional power to face my laptop again.
You guys have asked in the comments repeatedly, “Bro, when is the review coming? We’re waiting for it.” Congratulations – your desire has finally been fulfilled, and my pain now means something. Prior to thinking this is yet another rage fueled rant, allow me to state one thing very clearly – I do not plan on destroying it. In fact, I genuinely want to understand why this film exists, why people are detesting it so much, and why, against all odds, I had… enjoyment.
Story (if it can be called that)
As for the story – or the abstract art project disguised as one – it centers around Harshvardhan, who plays a powerful politician destined to become the next Chief Minister. He is wealthy, ruthless, and has an allergy to hearing “no”. When Harshvardhan is born, the doctor says, “we can save either the mother or the child.” His father selects the mother. And Harshvardhan responds, “I selected myself.” Brother, even Thanos wouldn’t have that amount of arrogance.
Harshvardhan quickly becomes infatuated with a famous actress, played by Sonam Bajwa. However, it is not love – it is an obsession that is so extreme that even the tragic romances of Shakespeare appear to be elementary school romance. Harshvardhan vows to annihilate his life, his profession, his sanity – all to “win” her. His dialogues? Pure poetry written under the influence of a caffeine high. Examples include, “there is no blood in politics; there is politics in blood.” And “you have only heard the jingle of bangles – now see her madness.” Those lines strike harder than the story itself does, and that is saying a lot.
At some point, he tells the heroine, “I’ll either win you or burn myself.” And I believed him – not because of Harshvardhan’s acting ability, but because the film appears to have been made by a person on the edge of self destruction.
The Magic of Madness
I think the dialogue deserves a standing ovation – not for brilliance, but for courage. Someone must’ve been tapping into intergalactic energy while writing it. At one time, a reporter at a press conference said, “Sir, haven’t you finally found the right girl?” His response was, “No. The right girl has not found me.” Brava. Somewhere in the background, I’m sure, Shakespeare rolled over in his grave, but slowly applauded.
The script is a smorgasbord of random. A laundry man comes into the heroine’s home; recognizes her; and asks for a picture. That’s the whole scene. No follow-up, no connection, no cause-and-effect – simply cinematic exercise. Every five minutes there’s a slow-motion shot – slow-motion walking, talking, blinking, breathing. The director likely became enamored with the slow-motion button and wouldn’t let go of it.
Romantic scenes are their own entity. She takes off her blindfold – slow motion. He adjusts his cuff links – slow motion. He says, “Don’t fold your hands, I’ll fold mine.” By that point, even the popcorn in the theater had stopped popping.
The Interval Twist
While I will not reveal the twist at the interval, suffice it to say the twist at the interval has its own category. I was brainstorming ways the plot would play out – perhaps he’s really dead? Perhaps it’s all a dream? When the twist occurred, I had to momentarily stop thinking. I was so taken aback, so shocked by the twist that I literally had to pause my thoughts for several moments.
However, because of that twist alone, I remained awake through the second-half of the film. Most bad films cause me to fall asleep. This film slapped me awake every ten minutes with an additional dose of confusion.
Performance (Or Dramatic Olympics)
Harshvardhan gives his lines with such conviction that you almost believe he understands what he’s saying – until you realize that it’s impossible for anyone to understand what is happening. Harshvardhan’s expressions are a combination of anger, love, and random stares into space. Sonam Bajwa does the best she can with a character as flat as a cardboard cut-out. However, she adds class to a film that desperately needs it.
The rest of the cast exist solely to say “Yes Sir”, “No Sir”, or “Sir, Please Don’t Do That”. Let’s also not forget the extra’s that stand in the background and dramatically nod as if they’re in a music video. All of the actors are acting as if they’re in separate films, however collectively they create this messy beauty that somehow… works?
Direction, Music & Cinematography
It appears that the direction was a battle for dominance among three different directors – and all of them won. The cinematography attempts to make everything look epic with drone shots and slow pans, but ultimately looks like a perfume commercial shot during a blackout.
The background music is deserving of its own section. Every emotional scene is drenched in violins, every romantic glance is treated as the Second Coming of Christ. The songs are unintentionally funny, with lyrics that seem to be written by ChatGPT after a break-up. Again – so bad, it’s entertaining.
Themes, Symbolism & Unintentional Comedy
“Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyaat” is pretending to be a story about obsessive love and political power, but ultimately becomes a study in cinematic masochism. It seems that the filmmakers attempted to find out how much melodrama they could cram into a film before the screen would melt. There are scenes in which you can’t tell whether it’s passion or parody. You will laugh, you will cringe, you will question your life choices – but you will never be bored.
And that’s the key point here. While the film may fail in terms of logic, it succeeds in keeping viewers engaged. Something so ridiculously occurs every five minutes that you cannot help but watch. It’s like viewing a car accident in slow-motion – horrible, yet hypnotizing.
Audience Reactions
When the film finished, the audience was split. Half were laughing, half were silent, and some poor soul sitting next to me was literally crying. Real tears. We’ll have to kick him out of our social circle – not for crying, but for meaning it. Of the 157 Mocktail users, 123 chose to bypass it. Honestly, I understand why. But here’s the paradox – I did not dislike it. I enjoyed the chaos.
Verdict
Here I am torn between whether I should call this “Skip” or “Time Pass.” It’s like trying to choose between two different types of headaches; either way it hurts, but at least with this type of headache you get to laugh at how silly it is and can even find some enjoyment from it. Perhaps this isn’t a movie – perhaps this is an experience; perhaps this is a fever dream; perhaps this is a film maker pushing limits.
If you’re looking for logic, depth, or well-structured story telling; then don’t waste your time. However, if you are feeling in the mood to see something that is so off-the-wall and outrageous, yet entertaining enough to make it worth your while; than grab the popcorn and have fun – just be sure to bring the eye drops.
For entertainment purposes and unintentionally providing comedic gold; I’ll give “Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat” a very bold and confused 2.3 out of 5 stars. The film burned my eyes but cured my boredom.
