Luck by Chance

"''Did you have to say Bollywood? I hate that term!""

- Neena Walia

"''Success and failure are just choices you make.""

- Vikram Jaisingh

Highly meta 2009 film about the Mumbai film industry (don't call it Bollywood!) from the perspective of everyone from struggling newbie actors to famous producers. The main plot runs about two struggling actors, Vichram (Farhan Akhtar) and Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma), how they get involved and eventually separated through their respective roads towards fame, recognition, and stable work, and how they affect and are affected by the chaotic film making environment around them.

A commercial failure, but it's on its way to becoming a cult film favorite. Your Mileage May Vary on whether it's inspiring and thought provoking or rather pointless, but one thing is certain: this movie sure had a lot of cameos.

Directed by Zoya Akhtar, who later went to direct the way more successful Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do.

"''I said 'why not?'""
 * Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder:
 * Acquired Situational Narcissism: Vikram was probably always a little narcissistic but
 * Always Second Best: Sona always plays this characters in movies, much to her annoyance.
 * Arc Words: See the second quote on the top of the page.
 * A Lighter Shade of Grey:
 * As Himself: Half of the "characters" in this film fulfill this trope.
 * All Love Is Unrequited:
 * All-Star Cast: There are approximately a dozen cameos a minute. This is an oddly rewarding experience if you're at all familiar with famous people in bollywood.
 * Bittersweet Ending: Happiness doesn't always come from the expected sources.
 * Bollywood Homely: Sona
 * Casting Gag: "You're like a father to me, Rommy." - Ranbir Kapoor (playing himself) talking to Rommy Rolly, who was played by ... his real life father. Dur hur.
 * Convicted by Public Opinion: Right before his first movie releases, Vikram endures a slew of bad PR.
 * Crowning Moment of Heartwarming: Yeh Zindagi Bhi is a five minute long love letter to the crew of Bollywood films.
 * Dawson Casting: Farhan Akhtar as a 26-year-old (he was 35 at the time of filming). He is very handsome, but... No.
 * Designated Hero: Vikram.
 * Did Not Get the Girl: Apparently advice from Shah Rukh Khan can fail!
 * Earn Your Happy Ending:
 * Ear Worm: Baawre, baawre, baaaaaaaawre! *Shimmy shimmy shimmy*
 * Ensemble Darkhorse: Who knew Hrithik Roshan could be that intentionally hilarious?
 * Family-Unfriendly Aesop:
 * God Save Us From the Queen: Neena Wallia. Though, like many characters in this movie, she is depicted with some sympathy.
 * Deadly Change-of-Heart:
 * Hey, It's That Guy!!: Boman Irani!
 * Irony as She Is Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma and Hrithik Roshan are all star kids, and their characters would probably hate the actors that portray them. Likewise, Isha Sharvani (who plays the actress starring in Dil Ki Aag) has minimal industry connections.
 * Jade-Colored Glasses: Sona, by the time Vikram arrives in Mumbai.
 * Karma Houdini:
 * Know When to Fold'Em:
 * Little Miss Snarker: Sona.


 * Melodrama: The plot of Dil Ki Aag in general.
 * Meta Guy: Zaffar pointing out the flaws in Ranjit's script.
 * Minor Insult Meltdown: Vikram has one of these in the first half. Though his roommate was kind of being a Jerkass.
 * One-Scene Wonder: Anurag Kashyap (probably playing himself) trying to change the ending of Dil Ki Aag. In a movie full of memorable cameos, his still was one of the fan favorites.
 * Second Act Breakup: Literally, given the way most Bollywood films are structured around an intermission.
 * Slave to PR: Pretty much all characters in this movie. Careers are made and destroyed based on publicity and connections.
 * Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: All over the damn place.
 * Subverted Trope: Many.
 * They Look Just Like Everyone Else:
 * Upper Class Twit: Nikki Walia. Though she did have plans to be a vet.
 * In movies, she plays The Ingenue.)