This Day, That Year: When Ramaiya Vastavaiya tried to overshadow underrated gems, D-Day and Ship of Theseus

Back in 2013 (remember that time?), Girish Kumar made his Bollywood debut. He is producer Kumar Taurani’s son and thus, all eyes were peeled on him. However, on July 19 in 2013, the Indian film industry release two other gems. They were Nikhil Advani’s D-Day and Anand Gandhi’s Ship of Theseus. Both the movies receive acclaim till date for being unique and gripping.

Ramaiya Vastavaiya:

Ramaiya Vastavaiya is a Bollywood romantic comedy film released in 2013. The film was directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Kumar S. Taurani. It features Girish Kumar and Shruti Haasan in the lead roles, with supporting performances by Sonu Sood and Randhir Kapoor. The movie marked Girish’s debut in Bollywood.

The story revolves around a young NRI (non-resident Indian) named Ram, played by Girish Kumar, who visits India for his cousin's wedding. While in India, he falls in love with Sona, portrayed by Shruti Haasan, who happens to be the cousin of his cousin's bride. The film follows their journey as they navigate their cultural differences, family dynamics, and various challenges in their path to love.

Ramaiya Vastavaiya is a light-hearted entertainer with elements of romance, comedy, and drama. The film features catchy music composed by Sachin-Jigar, with popular tracks like Jeene Laga Hoon and Bairiyaa becoming chartbusters. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was appreciated for its performances, music, and overall entertainment value.

However, in comparison, D-Day and Ship of Theseus continue to shine till date. The two movies were almost overshadowed a decade back, when they released on July 19, 2013.

D-Day:

D-Day, directed by Nikkhil Advani, features an ensemble cast including Rishi Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Arjun Rampal, Huma Qureshi and Shruti Haasan.

The storyline of the action-thriller film revolves around a team of Indian intelligence officers who are on a mission to capture a notorious and wanted underworld don named Iqbal Seth (played by Rishi Kapoor). The team, led by Wali Khan (played by Irrfan Khan), consists of highly skilled agents, including Rudra Pratap Singh (played by Arjun Rampal) and Zoya Rehman (played by Huma Qureshi). The film follows their efforts to bring Iqbal Seth back to India from Pakistan.

The movie is known for its intense and gripping narrative, filled with suspense, action sequences, and emotional moments. It explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and the complexity of undercover operations. The film received positive reviews from critics and was appreciated for its performances, particularly Irrfan Khan's portrayal of Wali Khan.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed notable tracks like Alvida and Duma Dum for the film. Overall, D-Day is considered a well-executed action-thriller that offers an engaging storyline and strong performances from its cast. It stands out for its realistic portrayal of espionage and the risks involved in high-stakes missions.

Ship of Theseus:

Ship of Theseus is an Indian independent film directed by Anand Gandhi. It explores philosophical themes and moral dilemmas through three interconnected stories.

The film’s title is inspired by the paradoxical thought experiment known as the Ship of Theseus. The paradox raises questions about identity and change: if all the parts of a ship are replaced over time, is it still the same ship?

In Ship of Theseus, the stories revolve around three characters whose lives are intertwined:

1. The story of a visually impaired photographer, Aaliya (played by Aida El-Kashef), who undergoes a cornea transplant and begins questioning her sense of self.

2. The story of a monk, Maitreya (played by Neeraj Kabi), who battles against a pharmaceutical company’s unethical practices while grappling with his own beliefs.

3. The story of a stockbroker, Navin (played by Sohum Shah), who is confronted with a moral dilemma when he discovers the source of his kidney transplant.

The film delves into complex ethical and existential questions, exploring the nature of identity, the interconnectedness of lives and the choices individuals make. It offers thought-provoking commentary on topics such as medical ethics, social responsibility and the human experience.

Ship of Theseus received critical acclaim and was praised for its philosophical depth, storytelling and exceptional performances. It gained international recognition at film festivals and is regarded as one of the notable films in Indian cinema for its unique narrative approach and exploration of profound themes.

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.