Hamari Adhuri Kahani

<p>The film opens with Vasudha stepping off a bus, while an elderly man, Hari, seeks help from a psychiatrist due to involving his wife. His daughter-in-law, Avni, accompanies him to his wife’s funeral, where he secretly takes her ashes and leaves behind a diary for his son, Saanjh. The narrative shifts to the past, where Vasudha is a single mother, waiting for her husband, Hari, who has been missing for five years. She follows tradition by remaining loyal to him. Vasudha works as a floral arranger in one of Aarav’s hotels. She saves Aarav during a mock , and he offers her a job at his hotel in , which she initially declines. However, after learning from the police that her husband Hari murdered five American journalists and is part of a terrorist group, she fears for her son’s future and accepts Aarav’s offer. Despite knowing about her past, Aarav falls in love with Vasudha. He shares the story of his mother, a singer who raised him as a single parent and fell in love with a man who tragically attempted suicide due to their impoverished state. Vasudha initially rejects Aarav’s advances, stating her loyalty to her missing husband, but later, after meeting Aarav’s mother, she accepts his love. Hari suddenly reappears, and Vasudha tells him about Aarav. Enraged, Hari leaves and is soon arrested for being a wanted criminal. Vasudha pleads with Aarav to help prove Hari’s innocence, but when Aarav attempts to bribe the home minister, it is revealed that Hari has confessed to the crime himself. This leaves Vasudha confused, as she interprets Hari’s confession as a sacrifice for her and Aarav to be together. Aarav later discovers that Hari’s confession was a deliberate act to burden Vasudha with guilt, making her believe that he had sacrificed himself for her love. Determined to free Vasudha from her guilt, Aarav travels to Bastar, where Hari is accused of the killings, in an attempt to prove his innocence. Aarav learns from Father Dayal that Hari is, in fact, innocent. On his way back to , Aarav follows the scent of flowers, reminiscent of his first meeting with Vasudha. Unbeknownst to him, he steps on a landmine in the jungle. Realizing the danger, Aarav smiles before accepting his fate. Vasudha receives news of his death and leaves Hari, who had been searching for her for two years. She confronts him, revealing that she knows the truth about his false sacrifice and declares that she is no longer bound by any tradition. Hari warns her that she will eventually return to him, but he waits for her in vain for twenty-one years. In the present, Vasudha wishes to be reunited with Aarav in death, at the place where he died. Hari, fulfilling her final wish, scatters her ashes in the forest of , where Aarav lost his life, symbolically reuniting Aarav and Vasudha after death. On 23 October 2013, and extended their partnership by announcing a three-film deal, which included , , and . It was revealed that would be directed by and was initially slated for release on 7 November 2013. However, filming, which was originally scheduled to begin in May–June 2014, was delayed until October 2014 due to Hashmi’s son’s illness. In February 2014, , the film’s producer, revealed in an interview with that he himself would write the story, which is based on the love story of his parents, , Shirin Mohammad Ali, and his stepmother. In an interview with , Suri mentioned that Balan had to lose weight and get in shape for the role. Prior to the film’s development, rumors spread that Balan had opted out of the film to take some personal time, and that her character would be replaced by . However, on 14 March 2014, Bhatt refuted these rumors, confirming that Balan was “still on board”. On 13 June 2014, the final release date of the film was announced as 12 June 2015. The lead cast of was finalized on 23 October 2013, with and taking on the main roles, marking their third collaboration after (2011) and (2013). On 12 February 2014, it was confirmed that would join the cast. On 6 October 2014, it was revealed that Rao would play the role of Vidya Balan’s character’s husband, though he clarified that while his role was pivotal, it wasn’t extensive in terms of screen time. On 15 December 2014, reports surfaced that would make a cameo appearance in the film, where she would sing and enact the title song. Later, on 26 December 2014, it was announced that would also be joining the cast. Initially, the first schedule of was planned to be extensively shot in , . However, filming began in on 2 October 2014. A portion of the film’s climax was shot on 3 October 2014, where and participated in the immersion processions on ‘s crowded roads, with the iconic in the background. Another part of the climax was filmed on 5 January 2015 inside an old, bardy-style house in Kolkata. After completing the Kolkata schedule, the crew shifted to for a 16-day shoot, which had been delayed due to weather conditions. On 20 October 2014, Balan and Hashmi were spotted filming at , with further shoots taking place around the city, including locations like Sheikh Zayed Road, , , , , and . After completing this portion, the team resumed filming in Cape Town before returning to Dubai for an additional two days, during which scenes were shot in and along . The final scene in the United Arab Emirates was filmed on 17 November 2014 at . Director Mohit Suri mentioned that while Dubai is often portrayed for its modern, high-tech buildings, he wanted to capture its softer, romantic side. The film also features ‘s Qasr Al Sarb desert resort. After the UAE schedule, the team shot the remaining scenes in Mumbai, wrapping up production in mid-January 2015. The music for the film is done by , , and . The song “Yeh Kaisi Jagah” was recorded at Zubeen’s studio . Zubeen programmed track music and helped to compose the song. Lyrics are penned by , , . “Zaroori Tha” song from the film was originally a soundtrack of singer ‘s album . The album was named “Best Bollywood Album of June 2015” by Deccan Music. released worldwide on 12 June 2015. Meena Iyer of rated 2.5 out of 5 stars, stating that while the film “lacks soul,” she praised the performances of the lead cast and described the music as a “soothing balm”.</p>