Raabta (2017) — Hindi Romance

"Raabta" (2017) is a Hindi-language romantic thriller directed by Dinesh Vijan, marking his directorial debut. The film stars Sushant Singh Rajput as Shiv Kakkar, a fun-loving banker from Amritsar, and Kriti Sanon as Saira Singh, a chocolatier in Budapest. Their chance meeting leads to a deep connection, but Saira is already in a relationship with her boyfriend, Manav. As Shiv and Saira grow closer, Saira reveals her fear of water, stemming from a childhood trauma when her parents drowned. The central conflict arises when Zakir Merchant, portrayed by Jim Sarbh, enters the scene, claiming to be Saira's reincarnated lover from a previous lifetime. Zakir's obsession with Saira threatens her relationship with Shiv, leading to a series of events that test their bond. The film explores themes of love, destiny, and the idea of soulmates across different lifetimes. The tone is a blend of romance and thriller, with elements of fantasy, as the characters confront their past lives and the challenges of their present relationship. "Raabta" was released in 2017 and received mixed reviews from critics. While the film's concept of reincarnation and star-crossed lovers garnered interest, its execution faced criticism for a convoluted narrative and pacing issues. The performances of Rajput and Sanon were noted, but the film's overall reception was lukewarm. Despite its shortcomings, "Raabta" offers a unique take on love and destiny, appealing to viewers interested in romantic thrillers with a supernatural twist.