I didn't expect to see another Bollywood production so soon after the last, but it stops streaming on Netflix this Friday. Glad I discovered this deadline early in the evening, because it's another long 'un, just over 3 hours.
There seems to be a subgenre of comedy-drama in India, characterized by three young men who have fun together and seem close, but some unpleasant surprises put their friendship to the test -- sorta like the bromances of Judd Apatow, only more tasteful and somehow much better. DCH is the earliest example I know of, preceding 3 Idiots by 8 years and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara/You Don't Get Life a Second Time by 10. It is also probably the least fun of the three, but that's not saying much.
The main focus is on the men's different attitudes and approaches to romance. Akash (played by frequent lead Aamir Khan) limits his relationships to a couple weeks each, believing that falling in love spells trouble -- which it kinda does when an engaged woman strikes his fancy. Sameer keeps making disastrous choices of girlfriends. Sid has a crush on an older, formerly married mother, in a culture no more receptive to such an arrangement than mine. All three guys tend to laugh at each other's misfortunes, so it was always just a matter of time before one of them crossed a line. A further complication arises when Akash's dad pressures him to work at his company's Australian office.
I think you can guess who learns the most.
It makes sense that this film has more roles and a little more screen time for women than others in the subgenre. Their portrayal varies about as much as the men's in terms of goodness and intelligence, albeit perhaps more seriously. I won't claim full equality, but it's about as female-friendly as U.S.-reaching Indian cinema gets this side of Sita Sings the Blues.
As usual, there are several enjoyable songs, most of them sung by characters, some accompanied by dance. No wonder these movies are so long on average.
You need an edgier sense of humor than mine to laugh at DCH. But that didn't stop me from finding it worth the run time.
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