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By Shanti Swaroop Tripathi
- Rating: 3 Stars
- Producers: Jyoti Deshpande, Neha Anand, Pranjal Khadriya
- Story & Screenplay: Victor Mukherjee
- Dialogue: Alka Shukla, Victor Mukherjee
- Director: Victor Mukherjee
- Cast: Mithila Palkar, Amol Parashar, Miang Chang, Sauraseni Maitra, Mohini Simpy, Ayesha Adlakha, Faye D’Souza, Vandana Pathak, Pragati Mishra, Nisha Bajaj, and others
- Duration: 1 hour 49 minutes
- OTT Platform: Hotstar Disney+
J.R.R. Tolkien once said, "A dream is more powerful than a thousand realities." While not everyone might agree with this statement, director and writer Victor Mukherjee has based his film Sweet Dreams around a story where the characters embark on a quest to find the people they’ve seen in their dreams. This youth-oriented film has been streaming on Hotstar Disney since January 24.
Story
The film begins with Tolkien's quote, setting the stage for a story about two people, Kenneth Fernandes (Amol Parashar) and Diya Jai Singh (Mithila Palkar), who keep meeting in their dreams at a coffee shop. They’ve been seeing this dream for the past week, and it bothers them so much that Kenneth visits a psychologist (Faye D’Souza) for help, while Diya confides in her friend Tanushree Dixit (Mohini Simpy) about it. Kenneth is a social media influencer, while Diya is involved in various activities. Her mother has remarried, and she is romantically involved with Eshan (Miang Chang). Eshan’s parents are planning to settle in Canada, and they want Diya to join them after marriage.
On a weekend trip to Alibaug with his friends, Kenneth spots Diya on the back of Eshan’s bike. He tries to follow them but loses sight of them. Diya, too, is shocked upon seeing Kenneth but doesn’t ask Eshan to stop. This sparks Kenneth’s determination to find Diya.
In Alibaug, Kenneth meets Roop (Sauraseni Maitra), a marketing manager at a jewelry brand who follows him on social media. Kenneth shares his dream and his quest to find Diya with Roop, even though he doesn’t know her name. Roop helps him in his search, while Tanushree advises Diya on how to handle her confusion. Eventually, the two agree to meet at a café, but due to a mix-up, they end up at different branches in different cities. As a result, they miss each other. Meanwhile, Eshan grows suspicious of Diya and her obsession with her dream boy, leading to a breakup.
The narrative picks up pace as the events unfold quickly, and eventually, Kenneth meets Diya at an event in Pune. But what happens next? What steps does Roop take? To find out the answers, you’ll have to watch the film.
Review
First and foremost, Sweet Dreams is a clean film that combines the themes of dreams, love, and youth. It avoids the usual romantic clichés and never indulges in unnecessary sexual elements. After Love, Lust and Confusion and Lakadbaggha, this is director and writer Victor Mukherjee’s third film. While he picks a fascinating concept, the execution falls short in some areas. The film's reliance on social media, especially Instagram, slows the narrative, reducing its charm. There were opportunities to explore deeper layers in the story that could have resonated more with the audience.
The film attempts to reflect on love, aspirations, and the complexities of modern life, and through this, it offers a message: self-discovery isn’t easy. Sometimes, in chasing dreams, people lose themselves, but if they stay grounded and search for the truth, they might find fulfillment and peace in life. While the film's ending is well done, the emotional struggles of Diya are not fully explored, especially considering the psychological impact of her parents’ separation and her mother’s remarriage, which is a significant part of her life. These elements could have added more depth to the character and the story.
What stands out about the film is that it’s not just another typical rom-com with a hero, heroine, and villain. It's a fresh take on relationships, self-discovery, and the search for truth.
Acting
Amol Parashar shines in the role of Kenneth Fernandes, a young man trying to make sense of his ever-changing world. Mithila Palkar brings charm and sincerity to her character, Diya Jai Singh, with her natural acting skills that effortlessly draw viewers toward her. Sauraseni Maitra, playing Roop, elevates her supporting role and adds substantial importance to the narrative. Mohini Simpy, in the role of Tanushree, also impresses with her performance. The other actors also deliver commendable performances, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the film.