Review of “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha”: Ajay Devgn and Tabu’s Love Story Lacks Impact

It’s hard to convey just how bad Neeraj Pandey’s “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” is, and in so many ways.

Writer-director Neeraj Pandey, known for crafting narratives about spies and government agents racing against time to thwart terrorist plots (as seen in “A Wednesday!”, “Baby”, and “Special Ops”), ventures into the romantic genre, aiming to deliver a nuanced love story. Unfortunately, he misses the mark with “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” (AMKDT). As a result, he also squanders the screen presence of Ajay Devgn and Tabu, who have often been the saving grace in many subpar films.

“Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” tells the love story of Krishna (Devgn) and Vasudha (Tabu) in a non-linear fashion, a signature of Pandey’s storytelling style. However, instead of an engaging narrative, this film feels like an interminable merry-go-round that leaves you feeling nauseated and eager for it to end.

The film opens with a beautiful scene of two young lovers (younger versions of Krishna and Vasudha, played by Shantanu Maheshwari and Saiee Majrekar) sitting by the sea against the backdrop of Mumbai’s skyscrapers, lost in their romance. From there, it navigates through the complexities of their tragic relationship, oscillating between past and present.

We learn that while Krishna and Vasudha are in love, the timing and circumstances are never right. Krishna ends up in jail for 25 years for double murder and refuses early release due to his conduct. The reasons behind his unwillingness to leave early, the secrets he hides behind his intense eyes, how Vasudha’s life has changed during his imprisonment, and why he ended up in jail form the flimsy plot of “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha,” which swings from monotonous to tedious.

The film is boring, slow, unromantic, unfunny, and lacks emotional depth. It is a 144-minute snoozefest that becomes weaker as it progresses, leading to predictable plot developments.

Replaying the same scene three times feels like being trapped in a loop of déjà vu with the excitement of a soap opera rerun. It’s exhausting, like being stuck in a never-ending episode of a daily soap. The classic sidekick trope—a best friend meant to provide comic relief—feels overused and unappetizing.

The arrival of Vasudha’s husband Abhijeet, played by the charming Jimmy Sheirgill, promises excitement but ultimately disappoints. Neeraj Pandey teases the audience with the potential for thrill but delivers nothing substantial.

What makes the film somewhat bearable are the performances of Ajay Devgn and Tabu. The film picks up when these two actors emote through their eyes, bringing depth to their underwritten characters’ inner conflict. In a scene where they meet for the first time after Krishna’s release from jail, their silent communication conveys the longing and pain of lovers separated for decades, enhanced by MM Kareem’s heart-wrenching music.

Watching Devgn and Tabu together is like witnessing cinematic magic. Their effortless chemistry, honed over ten films, including this one, is a highlight.

Shantanu and Saiee, playing the younger versions of the protagonists, bring a decent spark to the screen, but the endless sequences may have you checking your phone more often than watching for plot twists.

When Devgn and Tabu are not on screen, the film seems to pause any semblance of enjoyment, leaving the audience restless. A character’s line, “Sab ho jaata hai, bas thodi himmat lagti hai” (Everything is possible, you just need a bit of courage), rings true in the sense that enduring “Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha” might indeed require superhuman strength, endless patience, and perhaps a pillow to hide behind.