Shahrukh Khan And Alia Bhatt Create A Different Kind Of Chemistry In ‘DEAR ZINDAGI’ Poster

Following up the massive success of 'English Vinglish', writer-director Gauri Shinde returns with yet another ambitious film with some controversial casting and a unique subject matter.

So check out the first look poster from 'Dear Zindagi', starring Shahrukh Khan & Alia Bhatt.

The poster itself conveys the playful chemistry between the two stars who, I want to make this super clear, do not play love interests in the movie. There's a reason for my exclaiming this, which we'll get to later.

'Dear Zindagi' is said to be a story about an aspiring filmmaker played by Alia Bhatt, and her journey to figure out life, relationships, career and finding the beauty in it all through out... with the help of a mentor figure played by Shahrukh Khan.

Director Gauri Shinde's done exactly this type of a premise in her directorial debut 'English Vinglish', (my Review) which featured the story of a repressed Indian mother, who found independence and freedom by just learning to speak English. Shinde seems to be bringing the same type of themes of contemplation and self reflection into 'Dear Zindagi', but with a more youthful approach, featuring a character that may be more relatable to audiences.

Shinde, for those unaware is wife of director R. Balki, director of films such as 'Paa', (my Review) 'Cheeni Kum' and the lesser 'Shamitabh' and 'Ki And Kaa'. Shinde worked with her husband on all those films in one capacity or another. While recently their production company hasn't churned out the best of movies, I still have hope for Shinde.

Controversial Casting

The movie was involved in hot soup right away when the casting of Bhatt and Khan were announced, causing audiences to think this was a love story, and cringing at the massive age difference between the two. While the internet exploded with a collective 'ewww', it was later disclosed that the movie would feature the pair in a more mentor-protege relationship than anything romantic. Whew!

But this reaction of ours is problematic for a variety of reasons. The Bollywood film industry is known for having male heroes in movies who are well passed their prime, romancing younger women. It's a foregone conclusion and the punch line of many jokes. It's an unfair acceptance of the double standard regarding the career graphs between the two genders when men continue to do romantic her roles well into their 50's-60's, while a woman is considered passed her prime when she's in her mid 30's.

That's grosser than anything else happening in 'Dear Zindagi'.

So why is it when two fan favorite stars are cast opposite one another, it creates a ferver, when clearly we're not that much in arms when it's happening throughout the industry every other day? Is it only an unfair act when it happens with our favs, and not to the general industry? Maybe if our outrage as the Bollywood audience was directed at this occurrence more frequently, and that outrage was reflected in the Box Office figures, producers wouldn't feel the need to cast 20-somethings women with male heroes older than their fathers. Eww indeed.

How Controversy Kills Genuine Buzz

The other unfortunate part about the casting controversy with 'Dear Zindagi', is that it completely undercuts the involvement of the other, non-Shahrukh Khan-men involved in the film. Which is unfair in and of itself.

While Khan isn't playing Bhatt's love interest, three Bollywood actors have been cast opposite her, as her love interest in various stages of her life. The three actors are Ali Zafar, ('Kill Dil') Aditya Roy Kapur ('Fitoor') and Kunal Kapoor. ('Rang De Basanti') All three talented actors have been completely ignored during the marketing of the film, although that may be intentionally as to surprise audiences with their (most likely) brief appearances in the film.

The Dear Dairy-esque Title

Theory time! The unique marketing campaign of this movie features Alia Bhat in small videos on Twitter, asking 'Dear Zindagi' questions, and Shahrukh Khan pretending to be at her beck and call to answer with motivational messages. So it seems that may be the dynamic of their relationship in the movie as well; someone to whom Bhatt's character runs to with all her problems for sage advise and wisdom.

#DearZindagi, This Tuesday isn't working for me!! @iamsrk pic.twitter.com/Zi7wQ1nmyw

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) October 18, 2016

Some reports further fuel this theory with reports that Khan plays the role of her therapist. So it sounds like they have a quirky relationship, almost friend-like, as Khan's character may be Bhatt's go-to as she learns to deal with life on her own. It should be an interesting dynamic to see the much mature Khan dole out advise about love and life to a much younger woman.

A less likely theory: I wonder if the narration style will be a 'Dear Diary' type voiceover with Bhatt narrating her issues in life to her therapist as we see her go through those problems and conflicts.

No matter what, I am very much intrigued by 'Dear Zindagi' and can't wait for the film's release.

'Dear Zindagi' releases November 25th, 2016.

What do you think of Alia Bhatt & Shahrukh Khan together in a non romantic way?
Let us know in the comments below.