Bollywood movie Dono complete review with cast, budget and release date
Dono is a confusing love drama that brings the emotional journey of a couple with past relations. It is a blend of modern relations with that irreplaceable love feeling that continues to be the backbone of relations to date. Most importantly, this love story introduces Rajveer Deol’s son to Sunny Deol as the main lead opposite Paloma.
Starcast of Dono
Rajveer Deol debuts as the main lead Dev who is in one-sided love with his childhood best buddy Alina.
Pamola, another Starkid and daughter to Poonam Dhillon as well debuts as his love interest, Meghna. Kannika Kapoor is a childhood love of Dev and Aditya Nanda comes as an ex to Meghna. Additionally, Rohan Khurana, Manik Papneja, and Poojan Chhabra play supportive roles in the story. Tisca Chopra gives a cameo as Anjali Malhotra.
In the background, Avinash S. Barjatya debuts as a director with Dono. Also Rajsri Productions and Jio Studios jointly produced this new age romantic narrative.
Release of Dono
This love triangle from both sides of the leads was released on 5th October 2023 competing Thank You For Coming and Mission Raniganj in theatres.
The story of this love drama
“Dono” begins with Dev struggling in his business, and to compound his stress, his childhood love, Alina, has chosen a suitor for herself, oblivious to the fact that her best friend is in love with her. On the other side, Meghna is navigating the challenges of a 9 to 5 job and has just ended a six-year relationship with her ex. Meanwhile, Meghna’s best friend, Nikhil, is set to marry Alina at a destination wedding in Thailand.
Dev and Meghna cross paths in Thailand, coming together for the wedding festivities. In the first half, Dev grapples with the sorrow of seeing his first love marry someone else. Meghna senses his pain and approaches him as a supportive friend. She boosts Dev’s confidence, sharing that she too recently parted ways with Gaurav, who happens to be at the wedding as Nikhil’s friend. Although no romantic feelings emerge in the first half, Dev reproaches Meghna for not showing self-pity over her own breakup.
After the intermission, the focus shifts to the challenges Meghna faces due to her ex’s presence at the wedding, as well as her lingering hopes for a future with Gaurav. They both advise each other to let go of the past, but Dev struggles to move on, while Meghna continues to hold onto her dreams of a future with Gaurav.
Meanwhile, Nikhil and Alina share a kiss on a date outside the hotel, and it becomes a viral sensation. Alina, feeling conflicted, decides to spend some alone time with Dev. It is there that she realizes his love for her. Instead of proposing, she persuades her to return to Nikhil. As Nikhil and Alina partake in the wedding rituals at the Mandap, Dev and Meghna, now deeply in love, hold hands, ready to face the future together.
Budget of Dono
The primary shooting location was a hotel in Thailand, resulting in substantial expenses for the production team. Rajveer Deol and Pamola, both debutants, did not impose a significant financial burden as lead stars. The supporting cast and crew were also cost-effective. However, the wedding celebrations proved to be a considerable expense for the makers. Overall, “Dono” was produced on a substantial budget of approximately 12 to 15 crores, particularly considering the inclusion of new faces in the film.
Reviews
“Dono” unfolds as a romantic drama, where two strangers ultimately find solace in each other’s company, leading to a shared love story. The narrative’s initial presentation of the main lead as a struggling individual may cause some initial confusion for viewers. Rajveer’s entry, despite his Starkid status, could have been more impactful. His role appears to be somewhat compromised. Additionally, Rajveer seems to be exerting considerable effort to embody the character of Dev, potentially due to the weight of the Deol Family’s acting legacy.
In one scene, Rajveer’s character is tasked with keeping the groom updated on dance steps, a role that the groom seems more at ease with. It becomes evident that Rajveer may not possess finely honed acting or dancing skills required for entry into the industry. In contrast, Pamola exudes confidence in her role compared to Rajveer, and her portrayal fits more seamlessly. She adeptly slips into her character, showcasing potential for a promising career.
Unfortunately, Pamola’s debut may have been ill-timed, given the story and co-star dynamics. She appears deserving of a more fitting launch. Rajsri Productions, known for iconic hits like “Maine Pyaar Kiya” and “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun,” has a storied history. However, “Dono” falls short in terms of chemistry, emotional resonance with the audience, and crucially, it does not entirely align with the romantic genre. Instead, it narrates the story of two individuals who have faced adversity and setbacks, with Rajveer Deol’s character already entering the narrative with a sense of defeat.
We skip rating this entertainer.
Thanks for reading.
Also Read: Bollywood movie Khufiya complete review with cast, budget and release date
Khufiya is a secret mission drama of the RAW that targets to find the loopholes in their own team. Additionally, the story of the film is based on a novel named Escape to Nowhere by Amar Bhushan. Also, it is a complex full of mystery drama that was released directly on OTT ( Netflix).