Dear Zindagi shows how life is not a race, rather an unceasing game of kabaddi

The ‘kabaddi with the waves’ scene from Dear Zindagi was the first one that Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan shot together, though it was not the first one to appear in chronological order. Also, it was the ‘Take 1’ of the four takes that the makers released in place of a theatrical trailer. The teaser was titled, ‘Life is a Game’.

The reason why that particular scene was the first foray of the cast and the crew, as well as the audience, into Kaira’s (the character played by Alia) universe is because the game of kabaddi has been used as a metaphor for life in the film.

The contact sport, which finds its origins in ancient India, is a game about one-upmanship and celerity. Similarly, one’s interaction with life should also be based on the same — outsmarting and poking it, all for the sake of fun. It allows you to not only vent your frustrations but also take life with a pinch of salt.

Also, the reason why the sea represents life in the scene is because it houses so many contrasts within itself. It can be as calm as a millpond and as fierce as Poseidon. Its tides and waves have their own share of mood swings. The sun, the sand and the salt, when combined, make for an interesting cocktail that hits you harder than a Sex On The Beach.

Dear Zindagi addresses this bittersweet relationship with life, similar to the healthy bond of sportsmanship that one shares with one’s competitor. There are ups and downs, wins and losses but what remains constant is the rut of hu tu tu that you keep chanting on loop.

When you feel you have got the upper hand, the kabaddi kabaddi coming out of your mouth is relaxed and measured. On the other hand, when you sense danger or are at the risk of being toppled, the chanting becomes hasty, accompanied by panting. Irrespective of the situation, you keep chanting kabaddi in order to stay put in the game.

The music of the film is a reflection of this jugalbandi. While there is Sunidhi’s Chauhan’s ‘Just Go To Hell’ screaming rage, there is also Jasleen Kaur Royal’s ‘Love You Zindagi’ which is an ode to life. There is also Ali Zafar crooning ‘Tu Hi Hai’ and flirting with life in the process. And at the same time, Arjit Singh’s ‘Ae Zindagi Gala Laga Le’ is a plea to life for reconciliation. Thus, the soundtrack by Amit Trivedi encompasses the entire spectrum of emotions. The only constant is the sound that comes out of the film projector — latent, suppressed yet incessant. Thus, there is always a hum that looms over life and keeps us going.

Throughout the film, Alia is seen depicting a wide range of emotions. She never comes on the same page with life until the very end when she starts taking life one day at a time, or say, one round of kabaddi at a time. Just when she has everything sorted in her life towards the climax, she has to give up on her mentor Jug (played by Khan). After all, who ‘sees’ a counselor after she has resolved all issues? Bhatt precisely portrays the mixed emotion when she laughs and cries at the same time and passes the acid test with flying colours, of letting go the only thing that could have made your life perfect.

So strive for the day when you grab hold of life and think that you have won the game, only to see life counter the move and take you down to the mat. Because life is not a race where you just cross the finish line, wipe your sweat off and celebrate.