6, 2020
WISE Score
Avg. Tomatometer
The Bollywood remake of The Fault in Our Stars that hits twice as hard because it is Sushant Singh Rajput’s final, heartbreaking goodbye.
88%
Dil Bechara is a beautiful, tear-soaked farewell that manages to be both a remake and its own unique thing. It’s essentially a celebration of life wrapped in the inevitability of death.
If your family can handle the heavy lifting of a cancer drama, it's a high-quality watch with a legendary soundtrack. Just keep the tissues nearby—you're going to need the whole box.
Best for 11 and up. The themes of mortality and romantic longing are handled gently, but they require a level of emotional maturity that younger kids just haven't hit yet. It's a great 'first serious movie' for a middle-schooler.
The story centers on deep family bonds and a supportive friendship that turns into a life-affirming romance. It models kindness and the importance of showing up for people in their hardest moments.
While it's a remake of *The Fault in Our Stars*, the vibrant Jamshedpur and Paris backdrops combined with A.R. Rahman's whimsical score give it a distinct, dreamy creative identity.
Very low on traditional 'red flags' like violence or nudity. The primary safety consideration is the heavy emotional intensity regarding terminal illness and death, which could be upsetting for younger or sensitive viewers.
Excellent for building empathy and discussing mortality. It handles the 'living with cancer' theme with dignity and encourages a perspective of gratitude and making the most of one's time.
You can't talk about Dil Bechara without talking about Sushant Singh Rajput. For the Indian audience, this wasn't just a movie; it was a wake for a beloved star. That meta-context makes the film's themes of legacy and 'being remembered' feel incredibly raw. Even if you don't know the backstory, Rajput's performance is magnetic, providing a necessary spark of life against the heavy subject matter.
If your kid has already read The Fault in Our Stars or seen the Shailene Woodley version, they’ll recognize the beats. However, the Indian adaptation swaps the indie-rock vibe for a lush, orchestral soul. The setting of Jamshedpur adds a grounded, local flavor that makes the eventual trip to Paris feel even more like a fairytale. It’s a less cynical take than the original, leaning harder into the 'bittersweet' than the 'bitter.'
This is the kind of movie that earns its runtime. It isn't 'brain rot' or empty spectacle. It forces a conversation about what matters when time is short. For parents looking to move their kids from animated features into more complex, human-driven stories, this is a perfect bridge. It’s safe in terms of content but challenging in terms of feelings—which is exactly where the growth happens.
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