Review: Zee TV's Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se

Hmm…how shall we begin? What word would aptly describe Zee TV’s new baby, Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se? Let’s see…lame, redundant, mundane, or may be all of them… Pardon us if we are sounding a bit pinchy…but after watching yesterday’s launch episode of the above FilmFarm Production, we had to rush to a saloon to get a head massage. At a time when TV producers and channel heads at press meets talk about new, refreshing and never seen before concepts, what we actually get served is nothing but the tried and tested formula. Here are two families…one of Raghav (Arhaan Behll) and the other of the gullible, vulnerable, spoilt to the core Miss Richie Rich, Shivani (Mansi Srivasvtav). Story in one line- gaarib ladka (Raghav) falling in love with amir (amir means ‘rich’ not Aamir Khan guys)…ladki (Shivani). The episode begins with the focus being on Raghav’s family, their family members getting introduced and how Raghav’s mother is ever worried about him being unmarried. Here, we would like to state that the art and set designing could have been a lot better. The cracks in the walls look repulsively artificial. Anyways…may be things will improve in the coming days with the creatives showing more eye for detail. Cut to the next sequence…where Balwant Rana, aptly portrayed by Alok Nath, is shown sitting in a lavish setting planning his ladli grand daughter, Shivani’s engagement ceremony. Boss…we won’t get too much into the plot or the story. Do watch the show for more details or log on to Youtube. However, in terms of story…it’s a tried and tested formula where Raghav the jadugar (as called by Shivani) is secretly in love with Shivani- the Baby ji. The story will take a usual turn with oodles of drama being churned out with the lovebirds trying to fly away using Cupid’s wings while Dadaji doing an Amrish Puri act from Dilwale Dulhania… In terms of direction, the manner in which Arhaan and Mansi are introduced, showing their back shots and later their faces, is so done and dusted. Background music is routine while cinematography too is commonplace. Arhan needs to get out of his Pratigya mode and emote more. Expressions boy…zombie movie nahin hain. Mansi’s act impressed us though she has a long way to go. But we must state that Alok Nath performed with class and command. Experience does matter. But when we switched on to watch Dori Se…we were expecting something noble and creatively satisfying. Instead we got nothing but a taste of what we have seen before…many a times. Hope the air of disappointment passes after watching the coming episodes!!!