Unveiling Netflix’s ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’: A Perfect Gen-Z Movie
The year 2023 has been quite a fruitful year for Bollywood. We have seen quite a variety of films that have not compressed themselves into the typical standards of the industry. We have had action thrillers, dramas, romantic comedies, and a resurgence of a genre that had not made its appearance for quite a while – Noir (Merry Christmas).
But a film that was quick to get all the eyes on it for its unique script choice and themes was the Arjun Vairain Singh directorial Netflix film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
The thin line between real and virtual is rapidly becoming thin. Completing a particular task without checking social media posts on your phone might be considered a challenge today. Offline seemed to be labeled the new luxury. It’s become a pressing necessity in a world destroyed by the evils of virtual curses.
Plot
Two flatmates, Ahana (Ananya Panday) and Imaad (Siddhant Chaturvedi), in addition to their buddy Neil (Adarsh Gourav), think about these ideas the hard way. Imaad, a stand-up comedian, looks for comfort on Tinder, Ahana dreams about a fairy tale romance with Rohan (Rohan Gurbaxani), and Neil dreams of opening his gym, but each faces their challenges. The three of them are preparing for an awful reawakening when they see the consequences of their social media behaviors in their daily lives.
Set in Mumbai, three close friends go through life, relationships, and professional problems in this emotional-social-slice-of-life drama that untangles itself like a thriller.
What Works?
The Dynamic Between The Trio
The three of them who live in Mumbai might not fully understand the other person’s goals in life and work, but there is always an air of empathy, unspoken compassion, and a sincere attempt to be there for one another. Immersed in the mess of everyday life, they frequently look for solace not in each other’s friendship, but by surfing through social media pages and admiring the lifestyles of others who allegedly have happy lives. Their experiences of loss, romance, and ambition intersect in the virtual world, and this is at the core of Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.
Director Arjun Varain Singh’s slice-of-life social drama serves as a biting social satire on the existential crises of youngsters and Gen-Z as a whole. His urban narrative reflects our current mental state. How did documenting moments turn into making content? Why did swiping right and left take over our lives? What begins as a light-hearted friendship story quickly transforms into a dark interpersonal thriller about trauma and isolation in the digital era.
Writing
Writers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Yash Sahai, and Arjun (story) cleverly include class differences into the narrative. It’s all recognizable, from Adarsh Gourav’s Neil, an ambitious fitness teacher who judges himself for not fitting into the mold, to influencers advertising a lifestyle they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan makes you conscious of the dangers of social media, often focusing on the hollow views of people who use it to present another version of their lives to the world, and at times even causing you to get anxious about your virtual existence because it is not as real as one would like to believe. Little subtleties in the writing allow the characters to communicate their story more effectively and without becoming overly shallow.
Except for a few rare events, the writing primarily deals with first-world concerns, which, while authentic, are also set in an affluent environment. The plot is vague in parts. Much is left to the audience’s imagination.
Roommates rarely cook or split bills. While some additional details on the co-living scenario would have been helpful, the distressing, mystery-filled treatment overshadows the plot. Each scenario makes you nervous and makes you fear for the worse. The intent is spot on, as are the main character’s performances.
What makes the plot more compelling is that the screenwriters refrain from choosing a lecturing approach; no uninteresting speeches are trying to teach you why you should or should not use social media.
The film does not try to present a manual of regulations of do’s and don’ts, but it does pass on a message that acts as an everyday lesson quietly. The film never loses its focus despite being 2 hours and 15 minutes long. Some portions were hurrying and we could have used more context.
Several well-written scenes stand out, including Ahana’s confrontation with her lover, Imaad’s argument with Neil after he pulls on his romantic status for his stand-up set, and Neil’s disappointing moment on Instagram. Imaad’s stand-up acts are genuinely funny with excellent comic timing.
The Performances
Ananya Panday has played the part of Ahana beautifully. She is lively, adventurous, and vulnerable, yet she does not sacrifice her core values. The additional layer to her character offers her plenty of room to perform, especially in the intense scenes. She convinces you to place yourself in her flaws and worries.
Siddhant Chaturvedi is so smooth and natural on the screen that you almost believe he’s doing stand-up as a side job. He manages to make a strong onscreen presence and does not allow you to be sidetracked. He provides Imaad with an amazing combination of softness and a detached attitude.
After his critically lauded performances on the internet, Adarsh Gourav breaks free in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. He is much more relaxed, at ease, and makes an immediate impression on the audience. Adarsh, possibly the most complex of the three leads, is never exhausted and maintains his composure. He remains with you as he skillfully expresses Neil’s emotional struggle and buried fury.
Final Thoughts
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan presents a coming-of-age story in a simple yet effective manner. The storytelling isn’t overly dramatic. The discussions are straightforward and relatable. It is a fresh and frightening modern-day horror film that tries to confront you with the truth. It will make you reconsider posting pointless pictures, stalking your ex, wasting your time on reels, etc.
The emotions depicted differ in nature, but the plot never drifts. If Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is right and a person checks their phone an average of 234 times each day, it’s no surprise that a film like this results in an engaging watching experience on the screen.