Living the Easy Way Out; Dear Zindagi

“Kabhi kabhi hum mushkil rasta sirf is liye chunte hai, kyun ki humein lagta hai, important cheezein paane ke liye humein mushkil rasta apnana chahiye. Apne aap ko punish karna bahut zaroori samajhte hai...

...But why? Aasaan rasta kyun nahi chun sakte? Kya burai hai us mein? Khaas karke jab us mushkil ka saamna karne ke liye hum taiyaar hi nahi hai!”

-Kabir Khan, Dear Zindagi

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Dear Zindagi was released 6 years ago, but I watched it for the first time this month and this one dialogue was the highlight of the movie for me. I've blissfully avoided watching the movie, probably because of my stereotypical view of Bollywood movies-you know the kind where the songs come in after every 10 minutes, the drama, and oh the over-the-top acting.

 

I wouldn't say the movie didn't do the exact same thing (because who can remove Bollywood from Bollywood?) But even with the Bollywood touch, it turned out to be dissimilar to many since there are only a few movies in B'wood that have touched on the long-overlooked topic of mental health or even clinical therapy.

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But why did this particular dialogue move me? Because for the majority of my life, I had lived through a similar situation as the protagonist of the movie, except I had no one to acquaint me with the right or the alternative way.

 

For some reason, I've always believed that if I work harder and suffer enough, I can achieve all my goals. So, I was deliberately being hard on myself, but soon I realised there was NO NEED TO because what I ended up becoming was a professional procrastinator, who considered herself "dumb," "weak," "loser," and other harsh adjectives when she couldn't finish a task. 

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I was still, to a certain extent, living in the same belief... until I watched this movie and it was a delight to see someone able to pen down such simple yet beautiful lines in an even simpler way. I've always admired good writing, more so when it is simple and appeals to many. Kudos to Gauri Shinde (also the mind behind the charming piece 'English Vinglish') for this. She couldn't have explained it any better. 

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Besides the writing, the delivery of the dialogue also has an important role to play, as it was delivered without sounding dramatic or preachy. Shahrukh as Kabir Khan was undoubtedly the right choice to do so. 

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Lesson Learnt: Being passionate is one thing, and thoroughly beating yourself up for it is another. Life doesn't have to go the hard way. All of us may be living on the same planet, but we're not on the same journey. WE ALL ARE LEARNING.

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I do regret not watching this movie earlier, but better late than never I guess, and what's meant to be yours will always come to you eventually, right? (another lesson learned).

 

It sure was a revelation to live vicariously through the character Kaira, and one that I would want to keep on seeking to experience.