Chand Mera Dil Review: Honest Emotions Cannot Save This Dragged-Out Romance

Chand Mera Dil Review: Honest Emotions Cannot Save This Dragged-Out Romance

Director - Vivek Soni

Cast - Ananya Panday, Lakshya, Aastha Singh

Runtime – 145 Minuntes

Rating – 2

Chand Mera Dil begins with a refreshing idea but slowly loses itself in its own confusion. Directed by Vivek Soni, the film tries to move away from the glossy fantasy of traditional Bollywood romances and instead focuses on what happens after love collides with reality. Backed by Dharma Productions and starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya Lalwani, the film deserves credit for attempting something emotionally grounded. Unfortunately, ambition alone is not enough to hold together a nearly two-and-a-half-hour emotional drama that struggles badly with pacing and storytelling.

The story follows Aarav and Chandni, two engineering students in Hyderabad who fall in love during college. Their romance feels natural in the beginning—filled with youthful energy, emotional impulsiveness, and the kind of confidence only young couples possess. However, one unexpected mistake changes the course of their lives, pushing them toward marriage before they are emotionally or financially ready for it. What follows is not a dreamy love story, but a difficult journey through responsibilities, misunderstandings, compromises, and emotional exhaustion.

This is where the film deserves appreciation. Instead of stopping at the point where most Bollywood romances end, Chand Mera Dil explores what happens after the big romantic decision is made. The film attempts to portray marriage not as a fairy tale, but as something messy, exhausting, and emotionally demanding. There are moments in the film that genuinely feel real. Arguments between partners, silent emotional distance, unspoken expectations, and the loneliness that exists even within relationships are portrayed effectively in certain scenes. People who have experienced heartbreak or relationship struggles may connect deeply with parts of the narrative.

However, the problem is that the film mistakes slowness for emotional depth. The first half remains engaging because the chemistry between the lead actors keeps the story alive. But after the interval, the screenplay becomes repetitive and directionless. Scenes drag on for too long, conversations repeat the same emotional points, and the narrative begins to feel emotionally exhausting instead of impactful. The film keeps circling around the same conflict without taking the story anywhere meaningful for a long time.

The biggest surprise of the film is undoubtedly Ananya Panday. This is easily one of the strongest performances of her career. She appears far more controlled and emotionally mature than in her previous films. There is no unnecessary exaggeration in her expressions or dialogue delivery. Instead, she plays Chandni with sincerity and restraint, which works beautifully for the character. Several emotional scenes belong entirely to her, and she handles them with confidence. Viewers who have often criticized her acting may genuinely walk out surprised after watching this performance.

Lakshya Lalwani is equally impressive. The film heavily depends on his emotional presence, and he delivers consistently throughout. Whether portraying a young man deeply in love or someone slowly breaking under pressure, Lakshya performs with remarkable honesty. In a few scenes, his screen presence and emotional vulnerability even remind one of Ranbir Kapoor. He has the charisma and emotional intensity of a mainstream Bollywood star, and this film proves that he is capable of carrying a complex romantic drama on his shoulders.

Sadly, the supporting cast is barely utilized. Characters played by Aastha Singh, Pratham Rathod, Resad Azim, Elvis Jose, and Ankur Poddar exist mostly to move the plot forward whenever required. The film had opportunities to build stronger emotional layers through side characters, but those opportunities are ignored.

Director Vivek Soni, who previously made films like Meenakshi Sundareshwar, once again tries to blend realism with romance. But this time, the writing becomes the film’s weakest point. Along with writers Tushar Paranjape and Akshat Ghildial, Soni creates an emotionally rich setup but fails to shape it into a satisfying narrative. The climax, in particular, feels disappointing because the film suddenly abandons its realistic tone in favor of a safer and more familiar Bollywood-style emotional resolution.

The music by Sachin-Jigar and lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya support the emotional atmosphere well, but the soundtrack alone cannot rescue the film from its sluggish storytelling.

In the end, Chand Mera Dil feels like a film with strong intentions but incomplete execution. It contains honesty, good performances, and emotionally relatable moments, yet it becomes too slow and unfocused to leave a lasting impact. Watch it for Ananya Panday and Lakshya’s performances, but do not expect a memorable romantic drama overall.