33 Comments
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Natasha Badhwar's avatar

So wholesome, Karthik!

This is a stunner of an essay.

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Karthik's avatar

Yayyy glad you think so! Thanks so much Natasha!! :)

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Harry's avatar

Loved reading this one! Using DCH as an example to explain attachment styles and diving deep was brilliant!!

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you for your feedback Harry! I am so honoured :)

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Shreya's avatar

This is an amazingly nuanced and sensitive analysis Karthik. I am in awe. Thank you! 🥰

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you for your kindness, Shreya :)

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Nirav's avatar

Wow. . This is so awesome.. so well written and articulated. .. impressed with the perfect way in which you have analysed the film and its various situations with Science of attachment. . .well done Karthik. . .. keep up the good work bro👍

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you so much! I am so glad you liked it :)

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Namit H's avatar

This is incredibly beautiful. Made me think about my own attachment styles and how that affects my life decisions. Will definitely go deeper into that reflection. Thank you :)

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you Namit! This means a lot to me. All the best to you!

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Mala Giridhar's avatar

Sahi bolela hai !!

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Karthik's avatar

I've learnt from the best :)

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Ayush's avatar

Wonderful insights and writing, Karthik! Loved reading this.

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you, Ayush! Means a lot. I am also amazed that first time filmmakers in their 20s gave us such a movie.

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Doel's avatar

So good, Karthik! Thank you for writing this

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Priya Iyer's avatar

I have two boys in their twenties and I think often about attachment styles both for myself and for them. I think taking time to unpack these strands is perhaps the most important work of our lives.

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Karthik's avatar

I like this quote by J Krishnamurti - 'If you can see the danger clearly, you will know what to do'.

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Arshad Nadamal's avatar

Loved this fresh perspective on ‘Dil Chahla Hai’! Need to rewatch it !

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Karthik's avatar

Highly recommended! It's remarkable how well made the film is. Except one thing that stands out as severely dated, rest of the movie passes the test of time!

Thank you for reading, Arshad :)

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SUDHA RAO's avatar

Lovely write up, in-depth analysis, a good mirror for people who are confused or undergoing unsettling times now

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Karthik's avatar

Hi Sudha, I am so touched. Thank you for your response.

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Farah's avatar

Hats off karthik

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you Farah! :')

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Sanskriti Bhatia's avatar

What a beautiful essay, Karthik :)

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks so much, Sanskriti!

I remembered your picture with your friends that you had shared with us on slack. 'Ya toh dosti gehri hai ya photo 3D hai' :)

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Amrita's avatar

Oh man. So much depth you've uncovered! Will have to go and watch DCH again.

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you, Amrita :))

Yes, I'd recommend you revisit the film. It is dated in one big way. Otherwise, it's a good film even 23 years later. And to realise that first time filmmakers in their 20s cracked this! That's something really!

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H R Venkatesh's avatar

Enjoyed this! I’ve been meaning to revisit DCH and this time with my son watching. If memory serves, it is Saif’s character who is the most secure character in the end and the person I should have wanted to become! Instead I was torn between aspiring to be either the wisecracking one or the artistic other!

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Karthik's avatar

Thank you Venkatesh! The wisecracking Akash was the most popular character back then (Aamir Khan was supposed to play the artist Sid but chose this one instead). But you watch Akash now and you will see how lonely he is.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

What a wonderful read! Loved this one, Karthik. DCH fandom aside, there's so much insight you've shared about life and love. Brilliant!

And I've been reading Alain De Botton obsessively this year, so thank you for adding another essay to that list!

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Karthik's avatar

Thanks so much Rohan! This means a lot.

After reading the essay, do listen to his conversation with Krista Tippett on the On Being podcast.

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