As I sat down to watch Ayushmann Khurrana’s Dream Girl 2, my anticipation was high. This is a film starring the fan favourite flag-bearer of socially relevant cinema cross-dressing as a woman and dancing to the peppy beats of “Dil Ka Telephone.” To top that Dream Girl 2 also became the actor’s biggest opener and one of his most successful films. These biases tipped the scales in favour of the film. The hype was natural, but its end result left me somewhat indifferent.
It was a strange feeling and least expected from an Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer. Did I miss something? Or had this franchise always been this bland? Looking for an answer, I revisited the original Dream Girl (2019) and went on a rollercoaster of emotions — moments of laughter, cringing, second-hand embarrassment, and instances where I felt offended. Raaj Shaandilyaa’s 2019 creation, while patchy and average, managed to elicit diverse feelings. It was then that I realised that Dream Girl 2 had fallen short of a fundamental benchmark in visual storytelling – the ability to make its audience feel.
My disappointment stemmed from my preconceived notion – that an Ayushmann Khurrana film could be many things, but never boring. The actor, however, surprised me by starring in this snooze-fest.
Whether it was the balding Bala or Mudit Sharma grappling with erectile dysfunction in Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Ayushmann had carved out a unique niche for himself by humorously showcasing the insecurities of men in an industry that worships testosterone-fueled narratives. Going by his past record, it seemed only fitting for him to transform into an alluring woman and challenge the Kabir Singhs of the world while showcasing his dance moves. Toxic masculinity be damned.
