Time travel, love, and regret come together in an intriguing, yet flawed mix in Baar Baar Dekho, a film that attempts to explore the consequences of our choices through the lens of a futuristic romance. Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif, the movie is set primarily in urban India with occasional jumps to various global locales, given its time-travel narrative. Released in 2016, this romantic drama is directed by Nitya Mehra and strives to blend the genres of romance and science fiction, while exploring deep emotional and philosophical themes about relationships and priorities in life.
The story revolves around Jai (Sidharth), a brilliant mathematician, and Diya (Katrina), an artist. The two are in love, but as their wedding approaches, Jai begins to question the trajectory of his life and whether he’s ready to settle down. The conflict between Jai’s career ambitions and Diya’s desire for a stable family life sets the stage for their journey. After a heated argument on the eve of their wedding, Jai finds himself thrust into a bizarre situation where he starts experiencing different future events of his life, at random points in time. He gets glimpses of his future — their marriage, professional successes, personal tragedies — without any control over where and when he lands. The story takes us through his journey of self-discovery as Jai realizes what truly matters in life and must figure out how to make amends before it’s too late.
One of the more fascinating aspects of the movie is its concept of time travel as a metaphor for missed opportunities and the consequences of being too focused on the future at the expense of the present. Sidharth’s portrayal of Jai is largely restrained, and his performance as a man caught between professional dreams and personal commitments is commendable. He embodies the confusion, regret, and eventual realization with an understated ease, though there are moments where his emotional range feels limited, especially when faced with the more intense dramatic beats of the story. Katrina, as Diya, delivers a heartfelt performance, although her character is not given enough depth. She represents the idealistic lover who wants a perfect life, and while she plays the part with sincerity, the film doesn’t offer her much room to grow beyond the archetype of the “perfect partner.” The chemistry between Sidharth and Katrina is visually appealing but somewhat lacking in emotional depth, which can make the central love story feel more superficial than it should.
The direction by Nitya Mehra is ambitious but uneven. The concept of time travel is exciting and offers potential for complex storytelling, but the execution feels clunky at times. Mehra attempts to weave together the futuristic sci-fi elements with the more grounded romantic drama, but the balance between the two doesn’t always hit the mark. There are moments when the film’s pace drags, especially in the middle sections, where Jai’s time jumps start to feel repetitive rather than revelatory. However, where Mehra succeeds is in creating visually stunning sequences, especially in the way she contrasts the various time periods Jai visits. The futuristic elements of the film, including Jai’s jumps into a technologically advanced world, are well-imagined and visually captivating, offering a glimpse into an aesthetically sleek future.
Cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran is one of the highlights of the film. The movie is a visual treat, with picturesque settings and beautifully shot moments that capture both the intimacy of Jai and Diya’s relationship and the grand scale of the future world Jai navigates. From the vibrant cityscapes to the quiet, reflective moments by the beach, each frame is meticulously crafted to evoke a certain mood. The scenes set in the future are bathed in cool tones and metallic hues, giving them a polished, otherworldly feel, while the present-day sequences are warmer, more grounded in reality. This contrast effectively mirrors Jai’s internal journey from cold, logical detachment to emotional warmth and realization.
The music, composed by Amaal Mallik, Arko, and Jasleen Royal, is another strong aspect of the film. Songs like “Kala Chashma” and “Sau Aasmaan” became instant chartbusters and added a fresh, youthful energy to the film. The soundtrack is peppy and romantic, fitting the tone of the film’s lighter moments. However, while the songs are enjoyable on their own, they sometimes feel out of place within the narrative, interrupting the flow of the story rather than enhancing it. The background score by Ben Nott and Komail Shayan complements the film’s mood, especially during the time travel sequences, where the score amplifies the feeling of being caught between different realities.
The film’s themes of regret, the importance of living in the present, and the value of personal relationships are powerful, but they aren’t always explored to their full potential. The screenplay, written by Sri Rao, feels disjointed at times, particularly when it comes to the time travel mechanics. The movie tries to delve into the idea of how one decision can alter the course of your life, but it struggles to balance the sci-fi elements with the emotional core of the story. The time jumps, while initially intriguing, begin to lose their impact as the film progresses, and the emotional weight of Jai’s journey feels diluted by the end. There’s a lack of depth in exploring how the time jumps affect Jai’s psyche over time, which could have added layers to the character and his relationships.
Editing by Amitabh Shukla could have been tighter, particularly in the second half of the film, where the pace slows down considerably. Some of the time-travel sequences feel repetitive and could have been shortened to keep the narrative more engaging. The movie’s runtime starts to feel longer than necessary, especially when the central conflict is clear early on. The emotional moments between Jai and Diya don’t always land with the intended impact, partly because of the uneven pacing and partly because their relationship, while central to the story, doesn’t feel fully fleshed out.
Ultimately, Baar Baar Dekho is a film that had immense potential with its unique concept but falters in its execution. It’s visually stunning, with some strong performances and a catchy soundtrack, but it falls short in delivering a cohesive narrative that resonates emotionally. The film’s message about cherishing the present and not letting the future consume you is a meaningful one, but the way it’s delivered feels superficial at times. The time travel element, while creative, doesn’t quite blend seamlessly with the romantic drama, leaving the film feeling like two separate stories trying to coexist.
For those who enjoy visually rich films with a blend of romance and sci-fi, this movie might still be worth a watch, particularly for the performances and the cinematography. However, if you’re looking for a film that offers deeper emotional insight or more inventive storytelling, this one may leave you wanting more. Baar Baar Dekho ultimately serves as a reminder that while the future is important, sometimes the most significant moments are the ones happening right in front of us.
