Stepping into the world of Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is akin to embarking on an emotional rollercoaster, one that left me utterly exhausted yet surprisingly satisfied. This film genuinely made me break a sweat, nearly shed a tear, and reassess a lot of the feelings I’ve been harbouring about entering a new phase of my life post-graduation.

Directed by Arjun Varain Singh, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan dives deep into the complexities of adulthood in an era flooded by social media, societal expectations, and the pervasive influence of Indian media culture. The story follows three friends, Ahana (Ananya Pandey), Imaad (Siddhant Chaturvedi) and Neil (Adarsh Gourav), navigating the tumultuous waters of adulthood in Mumbai. Their journey is marked by personal growth, heartbreak, and the relentless pursuit of their dreams amid the digital chaos of today’s world. As the film leads each character to experience their “day of all days” moment, the friend group is in for a rude awakening caused by the impacts of obsessive social media behaviour in their lives.   

Visually, the film is a treat. It serves looks, pays attention to detail, and delivers a few scenes that made me wish I could create something so captivating as a filmmaker. The cinematography beautifully captures the vibrant yet chaotic essence of Mumbai, perfectly complementing the film’s narrative.

Now, let’s talk about pacing. It is intense, to say the least. Kho Gaye Hum Kahan weaves from lighthearted moments to scenes that feel like a train wreck, making it genuinely tough to watch at times. Not in a slow, dragging manner, but in an anxiety-inducing, edge-of-your-seat way. With a runtime of just over two hours, I often found myself questioning if they’d pack more into this film, until I was begging for them to stop packing more into it! Trust me, you’ll understand what I mean when you watch it. And I do recommend watching it, and even more so if you are a member of the Indian audience.

Yes, you read that right. I never thought I’d be here giving an Ananya Pandey film rave reviews, but she genuinely impressed me in this one. Perhaps she’s finally moving past her Alia Bhatt initiation of the trolling phase in Bollywood. The filmmakers have given her a role with depth, and she delivers a performance that’s both convincing and heartfelt. Siddhant Chaturvedi, as always, shines with his special brand of charisma and talent. His performance is nothing short of extraordinary, bringing a depth to his character that’s both relatable and inspiring. Adarsh Gourav is raw, grounded and elevates Neil’s character and his journey in an incomparable manner. And my queen Kalki Koechlin? She continues to queen. Enough said. 

Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s writing often grapples with first-world dilemmas, and this film is no different. They really tackle the impact of social media, specifically Instagram and Tinder, on our lives without making this film’s entire personality to be centred around cyber safety. While the authenticity is undeniable, the story is set in a privileged environment. The characters don’t really get a chance to breathe or show us their day to day life as young adults. Ultimately, this led to a slight dissociation from reality for the characters.

While I don’t think I could rewatch this film in one sitting, I know I’ll revisit certain parts again. It’s well-shot, well-acted, and its primary issues lie in the transition from an hour of euphoric highs to a remainder filled with dramatic lows. The shift is abrupt and jarring, but perhaps that’s the point – to mirror the unpredictability and chaos of adulthood in the digital age.

In conclusion, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is a film worth watching. It’s a visually stunning, emotionally charged exploration of modern adulthood, bolstered by strong performances and a narrative that’s as relevant as it is engaging.