Dear Zindagi 2016

The story unfolds in the vibrant locales of Mumbai and Goa, where Kaira (Alia Bhatt) thrives as a talented cinematographer. Surrounded by her close-knit circle of friends, including Fatima (Ira Dubey), Jackie (Yashaswini Dayama), and Ganju (Gautmik), her world turns upside down when the love of her life, Raghuvendra (Kunal Kapoor), a film producer, becomes engaged to another woman. Kaira makes a tough decision to end her relationship with Sid (Angad Bedi), the owner of a Restobar, only to be left more heartbroken.

After a series of manipulative encounters, Raghuvendra lures Kaira into a film project in the US, hoping to rekindle their romance. However, he ultimately abandons her, announcing his engagement to his ex over a phone call from America. To add to her despair, Kaira faces eviction from her apartment due to the building’s preference for married tenants. This triggers her reluctant move back to Goa to live with her parents, a situation she deeply resents, as it leads to countless sleepless nights filled with anxiety.

In Goa, she stumbles upon Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), a psychologist who piques her interest during a Mental Health Awareness Conference. After consulting him regarding her insomnia, Kaira meets Raghuvendra, confronting him about her decision to withdraw from his film. Raghu accuses her of being unwilling to commit, leaving Kaira even more confused and hurt.

During this tumultuous time, Kaira crosses paths with Rumi (Ali Zafar), a charming musician, but fear drives her to retreat before their connection deepens. She also reconnects with her younger brother, Kiddo. Family tensions escalate, leading to a dramatic confrontation at a family gathering where Kaira vents her frustrations about her parents abandoning her to live with her grandparents. Her father failed in the export business, resulting in her being raised away from her parents’ care—a deeply scarring experience that left her heartbroken and bitter.

As the narrative unfolds, Kaira opens up to Jug about her past, revealing the source of her fear of abandonment, which has hindered her ability to commit to relationships. Jug’s insight proves invaluable, as he encourages her to view her parents as flawed individuals rather than perfect characters, imparting wisdom with profound words: > “Don’t let the past blackmail your present to ruin a beautiful future.” Motivated by this realization, Kaira endeavors to mend her relationship with her parents and completes her short film.

However, when she asks Jug out on a date during their final session, he declines, citing professional boundaries. The film culminates with the premiere of Kaira’s project, where she encounters a furniture dealer, hinting at the possibility of a new romance waiting to blossom in her life.