Satyaprem Ki Katha

 This movie was selected because of a high rating, but in the beginning I felt cheated in that it seemed frivolous.  They might have overdone it, but when it turned serious I paid more attention.  There is a message and it comes near the end as with "A Thursday" (2022) only from a different perspective  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/02/the-message-is-spoiler.html

The film does start off with carefree young man, Satyaprem ending up at a dance performance where Katha is putting on an excting routine.  Some time later he has occasion to rescue her from a suicide attempt.  She is resentful being blocked from her desire, but gradually Satyam, better known as Surya calms her down.  Her parents are so impressed even though there is not only a class difference, but a lack of career ambition they nevertheless request she marry Surya.  He is stunned, but agrees.  She only agrees because she realizes she has made a lot of bad decisions and defers to her father.  They do get married, but that is when we become conscious she has a deep problem.  

There is some humor, but we can't help realizing Katha has a serious problem.  She does come to appreciate Surya, but their relationship is troubled.  A quote from Katha hints there is an underlying problem:  "There are truths that others won't tolerate.  There are truths you cannot tolerate."

You might not be too surprised, but likely you will still be stunned.

A lot of talented people who led up to a stunning impact.  Here are some of them.

Sameer Vidwans was the director with ten film credits.  An earlier film "Anandi gopal" (2019) was in the Marathi language and won international awards.

Karan Shrikant Sharma was the writer and had 5 film credits.

Music provided by Manan Bhardwaj, Meet Bros., Payal Dev & Rochak Kuhli.  A few songs are sung by Arijit Singh, my very favorite singer.

 Ayananka Bose shared the cinematography.  He has 25 film credits including  "Dostana" (2008)"I Hate Luv Stories" (2010), "Kites" (2010), "Kaabil" (2017), "Freddy" (2022) and "Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (2023). 

Hari K. Vedantam also provided cinematography.  He had 38 credits including "Black" (2005), "Paheli" (2005) and "Fanaa" (2006).

Charu Shree Roy was the editor.  He started out writing and directing short films before becoming an editor.  He has 40 film credits includng "Lipstick under my Burkha" and  "Chhichhore" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/chhichhore-is-for-losers-ie-most-of-us.html

Mukesh Chhabra provided casting. After studying acting he spent over six years teaching and acting.  As a casting he has been in demand.  He is noted for bringing such faces as Rajkummar Rao, Sushant Singh Rajput, Mrunal Thakur, Pratik Gandhi, Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh to the screen. He has over 200 credits for casting including ""Amal" (2007), "Kai Che Po" (2013), "Wrong Side Raju" (2016), "Mom" (2017),  " Sacred Games" (2018-19), "Sanju" (2018), "Notebook" (2019), "The Family Man" (2019), "Dil Bechara" (2020) and "Laal Singh Chundha" (2022).  Check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/05/kai-che-po.html

Kiara Advani played Katha with a big contrast from provocative dancing to her troubled soul.  Her original name was Alia, but she was advised by Salman Khan as Alia Bhatt was well established.  She chose a character played by Priyanka Chopra name Kiara.  She has 32 film credits including "MS. Doni:  The Untold Story" (2016), "Lust Stories" (2018), "Good Newwz" (2019), "Kabir Singh" (2019) and "Guilty" (2020).  Check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/arjun-reddy-and-kabir-singh.html    She also has done films in the Telegu language and one upcoming.

Kartik Aaryan plays a title character, but better known as Surya.  His parents, both doctors wanted him to become an engineer which he finally completed the studies after an interruption following an early film.  He has 21 film credits including "Pyaar Ka Punchnama" (2011), "Pyaar Ka Punchanma 2" (2015), "Sonu Ki Tatur Sweety" (2018). "Dhamaka" (2018) and "Freddy" (2022).  When he was filming "Shehzade" (2023) there was a serious financial crisis and he returned his pay and was credited as a producer.  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/dhamaka-is-this-what-tv-is-coming-to.html

Anuradha Patel  played the aunt to Surya who intruded into the couple's problems.  She has 49 film credits including "Ya Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na" (2008).

Gajraj Rao played Surya's father.  He has 34 film credits including "Budhia Singh:  Born to Run" (2016), "Badhaal Ho" (2016) and "Made in China" (2019).  Check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/05/three-bollywood-films-that-got-my.html

Supriya Pathak played Katha's mother.  She has 84 film credits including "Gandhi" (1982), "Kamla Ki Maut" (1989),  "Sarker Raj" 2008),"Wake Up Sid" (2009), "Ram Prasad Ki Tehvi" (2021) and "Mimi" (2021).  She has done many films in Gujarati

Siddhath Randeria played Katha's father.  He has 13 film credits.

A few movies have found a contrast in tone between the early part and the ending are effective in making a point.  This one in my opinion succeeds.  Available on Prime with subtitles.