Love Hostel review: One where you will love to hate Bobby Deol for his triggering performance

3.5/5

Ashu (Vikrant Massey) and Jyoti (Sanya Malhotra) have decided to spend the rest of their lives together since they are completely in love. The pair decides to elope and marry in secret, knowing that their families will not approve because they each come from a different religion. They are now being pursued by Dagar, a merciless mercenary who will not stop until he has located and "fixed" them as a result of their decision.

The first time you hear about Love Hostel, your mind instantly tracks around something lighter, a romcom-ish genre featuring Vikrant Massey and Sanya Malhotra. Well, I was amongst those who thought of it as being centred around college romance. But titles can be deceptive, hence proving! There is nothing about "love" or "hostel" in the film, which is based entirely on the heinous honour killings that take place in the country.

The subject has been exploited well enough in Indian entertainment, but still, there are more stories about how such crimes are committed in the country. Even before we meet Massey and Malhotra’s characters, we know what's in store for them in the entire film. Courtesy of Dagar (Bobby Deol), a ruthless man who sees nothing beyond the hate crimes he indulges in. From the start, the character creates a disturbing environment, and the tone is set until the last scene of the film.

Ashu and Jyoti elope and get married with the help of their professor and a lawyer. The inter-religious marriage, of course, doesn't go well with Jyoti's family, who come from a political background. To be safe from their angry elders, the newly married couple are kept at a safe house called Love Hostel.

It's nothing fancy and beautiful as it may sound, but the exact opposite and most uncomfortable place to be in. The film soon establishes that it's a cat-and-mouse chase from start to finish.

However, there comes a point where you feel, yes, it's about honour killings. But who appoints an assassin to do this sick honour? And why would someone's conscience let them do something like this with no connection to the couple or their families? That whole mystery makes up for the rest of the movie, and of course, the revelation is just in time for the climax.

In mainstream cinema, we have seen films about honour killings, and Love Hostel comes pretty close to Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor's Ishaqzaade. The similar plot and basic premise of them hiding throughout the film are just symmetrical with what was seen in the 2012 film.

But Love Hostel touches upon the subjects that are socially relevant today like how religion has come into play in every aspect of human life in this country. Going by the current scenario, can I just say that it was a brave and smashing chance that producer Shah Rukh Khan took by releasing Love Hostel during this time?

From calling a Muslim "terrorist", or attempting to prove that they are, to even smuggling of buff meat due to the beef ban in many parts of the country, is touched upon in the darkest way possible. These are put into dialogue and mentioned often in the film, giving one a reality check of the ongoing problems within the country.

When it comes to performances, Massey has once again excelled in his performance as an innocent man who wants to lead a normal life and be with his wife. The actor also gets his Haryanvi diction right, and it comes as no surprise from the talented actor that he is.

The accent has come in handy for Malhotra, who made her debut with Dangal, which was also set against the backdrop of Haryana. The actor is a no-nonsense individual who knows about every calculated step she's taken in the film. Malhotra puts up a brave act until the very end of the film by just believing that "Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya?" This very motto must have helped her in performing the role better too.

Both the actors bring out their best in the stories based on the heartland of India.

But can you expect Bobby Deol to be the show-stealer among all of them? Well, after Love Hostel, you should! The actor is a surprise package as a sadist man, and I never thought I'd be covering my face while watching brutal sequences featuring Deol.

Although several actors say that their roles are never seen before, only Deol can claim it proudly. Kudos to the casting team for roping in the actor and allowing him to show his range, which he hadn't done in all these many years. The actor makes sure that you love to hate him and he deserves no sympathy whatsoever.

However, the revelation about the reason behind his hate crime turns out to be quite underwhelming. But one can say that it's all about the psyche of a person who doesn't believe that love or hate is measurable.

Director Shanker Raman, who is not new to this kind of genre, gets it right with the concept. But, the film stretches at parts, as the cat-and-mouse chase has been overdone in recent movies. He co-wrote the film with Mehak Jamal and Yogi Singha, wherein the screenplay is in its right place. Although the film keeps up with the pace, some moments might be gruesome and have slight triggering too.

Love Hostel is not an easy watch. Maybe that's what makes it an important watch.

Bobby Deol explodes on-screen unexpectedly and will send chills down one's spine throughout the film. Vikrant Massey and Sanya Malhotra are in their usual elements while showing off their incredible talent.