One of India’s most celebrated female filmmakers, Gauri Shinde, unites leading luminaries of Indian cinema, Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, on one cinematic canvas in slice-of-life drama, Dear Zindagi, releasing in cinemas on 25th November 2016, presented by Red Chillies Entertainments, Dharma Productions and Hope Productions, distributed by Reliance Entertainment in UK and North America. This is the first collaboration between Red Chillies Entertainments, Dharma Productions and Hope Productions.
Often cited among the top crop of Indian directors and previously featured in the Financial Times’ list of ‘25 Indians to Watch’, director Gauri Shindepresents the much-awaited follow-up to her previous feature, English Vinglish, which unanimously won the hearts of audiences and critics the world over. The film marked the silver screen comeback of veteran actress, Sridevi, championed the international festival circuit and garnered a wealth of accolades during the consequent award season. It was also shortlisted as India’s official entry for the Academy Awards in the Best Film in a Foreign Language category. Truly international in style, subject matter and tone, Shinde’s art imitates life so closely as to strike a chord with audiences globally, reflecting universal issues with tender affection.
In Dear Zindagi, Shinde brings together two of India’s most lauded artists, Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt. Global superstar and screen heavyweight, Shah Rukh Khan, fondly termed the King of Bollywood, King Khan, regularly features on listings of the most influential people in Indian culture and was previously named by Newsweek as one of the ‘50 most powerful people in the world’. Embodying the finest of new gen talent in Indian cinema, Alia Bhatt is one of the most sought after actresses in the industry today, simultaneously balancing critical acclaim with commercial success. Hailing from a respected industry pedigree, she has mastered multiple genres in her career thus far, from comedy to romance to hard drama such as her de-glam role in the Berlin Film Festival-premiering Highway and her heartbreaking performance as a drug addict in the bold Udta Punjab. Joining them onscreen is a seasoned ensemble. Each artist delivers an impeccable performance in this joyfully crafted film that celebrates a joie de vivre, advocating the philosophy that one can discover the beauty of life through all of its imperfections. Our smiles, our laughs, our pains and our sorrows are all signifiers that we are indeed alive, stitched together to form the beautiful tapestries of our own narratives. As with Shinde’s previous filmic outing, Dear Zindagi is also sure to resonate with audiences globally.
Synopsis:
Dear Zindagi tells the story of Kaira, a budding cinematographer in search of perfect life. A chance encounter with Jug, an unconventional thinker, helps her gain new perspective about life. She discovers that happiness is all about finding comfort in life’s imperfections.
Dear Zindagi releases on 25th November 2016.
