Many films promise to be progressive, unconventional and realistic, but they fail to live up to the expectations. Well, Shakun Batra’s latest offering may well be the most realistic flick of this year. Here’s why! 

Disclaimer: The post contains spoilers. 

Non-pink wearing mainstream gay character: 

Rahul Kapoor aka the perfect baccha of the family is battling demons of his own. He’s gay, but nobody knows that. Yet. It’s the first mainstream character in Bollywood to be gay without the caricatures attached to it. He doesn’t wear pink, is not effeminate, and is as efficient as they come. Also, it helps that Fawad Khan plays that role impeccably. 

Girl makes the first move: 

The fearlessly independent Alia Bhatt makes the first move. She’s also emotional when need to be and seeks Siddharth Malhotra’s shoulder when in need. Just like you and I, she has many shades. She is not slotted into a particular stereotype, which is refreshing and applause-worthy. 

Family dynamics are so damn real: 

Whether it’s the bickering between the couple of the siblings’ unspoken rivalry, every dynamic is relatable and real. Our parents have fought before the plumber, our sibling has acted unreasonable and given us hell. Our extended families have tried to intrude…we can go on and on. 

No sappy mom-son moments: 

This is perhaps quite unlike the KJo brand of movies where there’s over-the-top melodrama regarding mom-son. Here, the mother doesn’t sugar-coat her words, doesn’t hug and make-up immediately and is not afraid to show her true colours. Way to go, filmy ma! 

Insecurities that are real: 

While Sidharth is constantly trying to prove himself, his older brother Fawad is running away from a secret, and Alia is struggling to keep her vulnerability in check. The parents are fighting over finances and fidelities and the grandpa is bothered about not having a last picture with the entire clan. We all have insecurities and we deal them different ways. 

But the biggest lesson is of the unpredictable nature of life…anything can happen. So however dysfunctional your family may be, keep them close.