Dil Hi Toh Hai Review: Ekta Kapoor’s Romantic Saga Starring Karan Kundrra-Yogita Bihani Is Bold, Realistic and Gripping

When Ekta Kapoor said, in an interview, that Dil Hi Toh Hai is a modern take on family and that she is taking a huge risk with the show, I found it a little difficult to believe her. But not because I have anything against her but because every show or project anyone takes up is a risk they're taking. But after watching the first episode last night, I actually realised why she said what she said. Compared to the ongoing content on television, Dil Hi Toh Hai is quite bold. The first episode was, obviously, an introduction to the important characters of the show.

Yogita Bihani, plays the role of Palak, who is quite successful in the medical industry but turns down guys because she is a staunch feminist. Palak wants to live life on her own terms and fall in love with a guy who will see her as his equal. Rithvik Noon, played by Karan Kundrra, is from one of the highly reputed families and is all set to take over the business after his father, played by Bijay Anand. He is also quite the casanova who despises love. But he also makes it quite clear to women that he wants nothing to do with them other than sex.

Pooja Banerjee is a surprise package in the show. The actress plays Palak's best friend, Aarohi, who falls madly in love with Rithvik and fears that she is pregnant. But he rejects her and asks her to move on. But since she is madly in love with him, she is hell bent on making him realise that she is the one for him. Of course, Palak asks her to remember that she has some self-respect left. Now I'm not a big fan of giving out spoilers but I can't stop myself here. Usually makers reserve the intimate scenes or kisses for later, when the show is doing extremely well or when they know the audience is loving the chemistry between the main leads. But Karan and Yogita kiss in the first episode itself.

It was quite shocking for me as someone who watches a lot of Indian TV shows to see a proper kiss on the show. Now I don't know how the audiences will react to it but I was quiet pleasantly surprised. Yes, it was just a kiss but it also gave me hope that television content can be progressive with time. Not to mention, the relationship between parents and their kids was also shown with maturity. The conversations that the Noons have with each other is basically what happens in most households. Bijay Anand and Poonam Dhillon's equation is also worth watching.

Though there were a couple of things that irked me while watching the show. There were a couple of scenes that were unnecessary and OTT! We knew from the first 15 minutes of the episode that Palak doesn't like being dominated by a man and has her own conditions of falling in love with someone. But there was no need for her to repeat it so many times in the episode. There were a couple of cliches that could have been avoided. I mean, we know who is going to turn into a revenge-seeking character in the show after watching the first episode.

Yay!

- It really is a modern take on family and the conversations between characters seem very relatable

- Overall performances are brilliant

- We are glad that Ekta has decided to go the bold way and make the content relatable to the younger generation, too

Nay!

- There is a very high chance that the show might go the regular TV show way, which I really hope doesn't happen

- Easy to predict the next move by the characters

- Certain scenes are cliched and OTT

Final Thoughts!

The show has started on an interesting note for me. It's entertaining and gripping. Though it might take some time before the romance kicks in. You can also watch the show on the ALTBalaji app. Have you watched the show yet? Tell us in the comments below and stay tuned with us for more.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 19, 2018 12:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).