Kho Gaye Hum Kahan Review: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday & Adarsh Gourav leave you with a plethora of bitter-sweet emotions

Some films tend to thrust you into a lane of self-introspection leaving you with a myriad of bitter-sweet emotions. Arjun Varain Singh’s Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is one such tale that revolves around the life of a trio of friends in their early 20s who navigate their emotions, insecurities, and inner demons. This riveting coming-of-age flick makes you relive a rollercoaster ride of emotions especially when you are in that adulting phase wherein social media, career, and comparisons with peers can send you spiraling.

The plot revolves around three childhood friends, Ahana Singh (Ananya Panday), Imaad Ali (Siddhant Chaturvedi), and Neil Pereira (Adarsh Gourav). Beyond their thick friendship, the trio soon face instabilities in their emotions. While Ahana craves her ex’s attention, Neil battles with an inferiority complex. As for Imaad, he hides a skeleton in his closet which he is too afraid to unravel. Will they be able to overcome this obstacle?

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Arjun Varain Singh, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Yash Sahai’s writing has several underlying themes that someone between their 20s to mid-30s will be able to relate to in a riveting way. The need for constant social media validation and comparing your life with those who appear more happier or successful than you is a grappling issue that the movie highlights meticulously. The ‘social media influencer’ lifestyle which can be a sham or sometimes extremely shallow is well explored in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. There are times when Neil belittles the modest lifestyle of his own family since it does not suit the lifestyle that he craves. Ahana feels the need to pretend that a date is going well or that she is looking like a million bucks every day just for the validation of an ex. Imaad despite seemingly finding a stable and happy relationship with a Tinder match played by Kalki Koechlin still finds the need to go back to dating apps. Courtesy, him being too scared to commit and get involved in emotional intimacy with someone due to the horrifying sexual abuse that he faced as a child. By the end, you will find yourself actually left with a myriad of bitter-sweet emotions and looking forward to starting the next year unfiltered, real, and more organic.

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Talking about the performances, Ananya Panday undoubtedly delivers her career-best performance in the movie. The actress is extremely realistic, vulnerable, and endearing. You feel empathetic with her emotions and root for her when she realizes that her self-worth does not depend on a toxic ex. Adarsh Gourva is a visual treat once again. The insecurities, anxiety, and frustration that also lead his character to cyberbullying are intricately portrayed. The actor shines in every frame and you just cannot get enough of him. Siddhant Chaturvedi’s performance gradually accelerates in the second half and watch out for his final stage performance which will evoke a little something in you. We just wish that the movie also explored the camaraderie between the friends a little more, a glimpse into their relationship which made them less friends and more family. In the supporting star cast, it is Vijay Maurya, Kalki Koechlin, and Anya Singh who shine.

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan also hits the high note with the music, especially with ‘Hone Do Jo Ho Jata Hai’ which was the creation of OAFF-Savera, the magic behind Gehraiyaan’s album. The track ‘I Wanna See You Dance’ by Saba Azad is also groove-worthy. The cinematography by Prasad Chaurasia and Tanay Satam also does full justice. Watch this one for a brutally honest take on the issues faced by every youngster out there as he or she navigates through the dreadful phase called adulting.