In the new Netflix offering “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan,” a trio of twenty-somethings navigates the highs and lows of modern life, where social media’s influence is both a lifeline and a trap. Directed by first-timer Arjun Varain Singh, with a screenplay by Singh, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti, the film delves into the lives of three friends whose seemingly vibrant digital personas mask their underlying loneliness and turmoil.
The film follows Imaad Ali (portrayed by Siddhant Chaturvedi), Ahana Singh (Ananya Panday), and Neil Pereira (Adarsh Gourav) as they experience a year filled with challenges that threaten to disrupt their close-knit bond. Starting on one New Year’s Eve and concluding on the next, the story captures a critical phase in their lives filled with emotional upheaval.
Imaad, a stand-up comedian, grapples with a troubled past while sharing a South Bombay apartment with Ahana, a business school graduate trapped in a stagnant job. Neil, a fitness trainer and their best friend, dreams of opening his own gym but is held back by financial constraints, echoing the sentiments of his friends as they question the direction of their lives.
The film’s cinematography, crafted by Tanay Satam, presents a unique perspective on the characters’ environments, focusing on their personal spaces and seldom offering a glimpse of the bustling city outside. Mumbai’s presence in the film is subtle, felt more through the characters’ experiences than through panoramic shots of the city itself.
Throughout the film, the protagonists confront the volatile nature of social media, which can quickly shift from a source of comfort to a precarious slope. The narrative addresses their internal struggles, including Imaad’s sessions with a therapist (Suchitra Pillai), Ahana’s heartache over a past relationship, and Neil’s complicated dynamics with a client and influencer (Anya Singh).
Despite their desire for privacy, the characters paradoxically share their most intimate moments online, inviting public scrutiny. The motif of windows is significant in the film, symbolizing the limited perspectives they have on the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
Simran Kohli, a photographer who enters Imaad’s life, stands in stark contrast to the main trio. Her project on the “people of Tinder” aims to uncover the true identities behind digital facades, valuing real interactions over virtual ones. She represents a tangible approach to life, preferring the authenticity of film photography over the deceptive simplicity of digital imagery.
In terms of performances, Siddhant Chaturvedi carries the narrative with a substantial role, but it is Adarsh Gourav who leaves a lasting impression. Ananya Panday also delivers a commendable performance as her character navigates a repetitive cycle of emotions.
“Kho Gaye Hum Kahan” may explore the superficial aspects of sheltered lives, but it uncovers complexities that make it a thought-provoking and worthwhile watch.
The film features Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Adarsh Gourav, and Kalki Koechlin, under the direction of Arjun Varain Singh.
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