Genre: Romance/Drama
Release Date: 2020
Language: Hindi
“Dil Bechara” (transl. The helpless heart) is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Mukesh Chhabra, marking his directorial debut. Adapted from John Green’s novel “The Fault in Our Stars,” the film stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Sanjana Sanghi as terminal cancer patients, with a supporting cast that includes a cameo by Saif Ali Khan. The project, produced by Fox Star Studios, faced numerous delays due to casting and screenplay changes before beginning production in 2018 under the initial title “Kizie Aur Manny.” Filming took place across various locations in India and Paris, France. The film’s music was composed by A. R. Rahman, with cinematography by Setu and editing by Aarif Sheikh. Initially intended for a theatrical release, the film premiered digitally on Disney+ Hotstar on 24 July 2020, following Rajput’s tragic death in June 2020.
The story follows Kizie Basu, a 21-year-old battling thyroid cancer, who meets Manny, a 23-year-old osteosarcoma survivor. Manny and his friend JP, who is losing his eyesight due to glaucoma, are making a film together. As Kizie and Manny grow close, they decide to use the Tamil word “Seri” (meaning ‘Okay’) as a reminder to stay positive. The plot thickens as Kizie’s health deteriorates and Manny’s cancer returns terminally. Despite these setbacks, they bond over a shared love for Rajnikanth’s films and Hindi music, particularly an unfinished song by Abhimanyu Veer. Their journey includes a trip to Paris to meet Veer, only to be disappointed by his lack of answers.
The film culminates in a poignant climax as Manny’s health worsens, leading him to stage a mock funeral where Kizie and JP deliver heartfelt eulogies. Manny’s death shortly thereafter is softened by his final gift to Kizie: completing Veer’s unfinished song. The film’s release, especially significant due to Rajput’s untimely demise, garnered critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and emotional depth. In a touching final scene, Manny speaks directly to Kizie through the film, urging her to embrace life fully, to which she responds with their shared word of hope, “Seri.”
