A Critical Look Back at ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ on its 8th Anniversary

Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ emerges as a protracted, meandering, and ultimately pointless love story. It echoes the same issues found in his earlier work, ‘Tamasha,’ where the characters exhibited a grating, unpleasant dynamic, as if performing for a reality show. Imagine Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone reuniting in an exotic locale, adopting the roles of a cantankerous, closeted misogynist tour guide and a vivacious, yet shallow, Gujarati tourist. The film, however, fails to deliver on this premise. Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of Harry, characterized by overt cheesiness and a perceived lack of substance, channels his superstar persona. Anushka Sharma, demonstrates remarkable composure amidst her co-star’s histrionics. The film struggles to establish a connection with the audience, ultimately offering a disappointing experience for both fans of Shah Rukh Khan and Imtiaz Ali.