In a patriarchal world, trust Zoya Akhtar to bring fictional characters to life in the most haunting ways. Her vision for desi stories is par excellence and Dil Dhadakne Do, under the glamour wrapping, was an emotional roller coaster. Acknowledging the fact that women are burden by patriarchy, and somewhere a contributor too, her characters have an arc that progress to challenge norms. Dil Dhadakne Do turns ten Dil Dhadakne Do turned ten in June and the film has aged well. Zoya tells the story of an affluent Indian family. The women in the clan have different opinions. Call it generation gap or matured and progressive understanding of the world, Neelam (Shefali Shah) and her daughter Ayesha (Priyanka Chopra) are at loggerheads for their diverse ideologies. Rightfully so, Ayesha is a tough businesswoman who can’t take inequality and ill-treatment under the tag of marriage. Neelam, on the other hand, has been suffering quietly. ALSO READ: Flashback Films: How Munjya Shows Why Indian Horror Often Finds Its Roots In Rural And Ritualistic Women in Dil Dhadakne Do Ayesha is at a better position. She has her brother Kabir (Ranveer Singh) and friend Sunny (Farhan Akhtar) as her pillars of support. But, Neelam has to silently tolerate her husband’s judgement and misogyny because, ‘mothers’ are expected to keep the family united at the cost of her self-esteem. Shefali Shah’s answer to patriarchy Dil Dhadakne Do has many such haunting scenes to prove why Neelam is in a bad marriage, just like Ayesha, but their worlds are starkly different. Putting a brave face following an insulting statement passed by Kamal (Anil Kapoor), she stuffs her mouth with her favourite desert. Her anger and disgust roll down through tears, that too suppressed. The scene never stops haunting. A representation of a majority of Indian mothers, Shefali’s depiction enhanced the film in many ways. Giving Dil Dhadakne Do a new definition and graph with her performance, the actress became the voice of many who saw themselves in her. Nobody desires to be Neelam and Shefali made the character’s point heard loud and clear. Anil Kapoor’s portrayal of Kamal Mehra supported her in the best way. Had his character not been insulting, her angst would have gone unnoticed and remained insignificant. Zoya’s vision and perception for Dil Dhadakne Do have proven to be path-breaking. Even after ten years, some characters still live within the audience’s hearts.