Parents' Guide to Dear Zindagi

Movie NR 2016 151 minutes
Dear Zindagi movie poster: An Indian woman and man stop on their bicycles on a wooded lane, the woman smiling at the man.

Common Sense Media Review

Sakhi Thirani By Sakhi Thirani , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Bollywood romantic drama looks at mental health and therapy.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Dear Zindagi: An Indian man and woman share a joke.
  • Dear Zindagi: Three Indian female friends on a morning walk
  • Dear Zindagi: A male Indian therapist talks to his female patient.

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

In DEAR ZINDAGI, unable to sleep and overwhelmed by the events in her life, Kaira (Alia Bhatt) decides to go to therapy. Will Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) be able to help her overcome her past and move on?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This romantic drama, directed by Gauri Shinde, stands apart from other Bollywood movies thanks to its willingness to address a subject so often neglected by Indian cinema. Dear Zindagi strikes a conversation surrounding mental health that remains an exhausting taboo in the majority of Indian society. While its representation of therapy might lean toward a sort of romanticizing with Khan's ultra-cool and chilled out Dr. Jehangir Khan, the film still succeeds in its effort of overcoming the stigma so often associated with mental illness. Bhatt handles Kaira's range of emotions and turmoil admirably, holding the film together as its central lead. Accompanied by Amit Trivedi's soothing and soulful tunes and its calm Goa vibe, this film is a thorough feel-good entertainer.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Dear Zindagi represented mental illness. Did you think the film did a good job of overcoming some taboos surrounding therapy and mental health? Why, or why not?

  • Which characters showed good communication and empathy? Why are these such important character strengths to have?

  • Discuss the friendship between Kaira, Jackie, and Fatima. How did Jackie and Fatima support Kaira?

Movie Details

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Dear Zindagi movie poster: An Indian woman and man stop on their bicycles on a wooded lane, the woman smiling at the man.

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