Dear Zindagi is a 2016 Hindi-language coming-of-age comedy-drama film, written and directed by Gauri Shinde. It was produced by Gauri Khan, Karan Johar, and Shinde under the banners of Red Chillies Entertainment, Dharma Productions, and Hope Productions. The film stars Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan in lead roles, supported by Ira Dubey, Kunal Kapoor, Angad Bedi, Ali Zafar (in his last Hindi film role), Yashaswini Dayama, and newcomer Rohit Suresh Saraf. The story follows a young cinematographer struggling with her life until she meets a free-spirited psychologist who helps her view life from a new perspective.

The film’s development began in 2015, with Bhatt and Khan being signed under Shinde's banner. The principal photography took place in Goa and Mumbai from January 21 to May 20, 2016. The film's music score was composed by Amit Trivedi, with lyrics primarily penned by Kausar Munir.

Dear Zindagi premiered on November 23, 2016, in North America, followed by a worldwide release on November 25, 2016. The film grossed ₹135.5 crore, emerging as a commercial success. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised the film's themes, direction, screenplay, dialogues, soundtrack, and the performances of Bhatt and Khan.

Plot Summary: Kaira, an aspiring cinematographer in Mumbai, dreams of directing her own films. However, she struggles with negativity and finds comfort only in her close friends, Fatima, Jackie, and Ganju. Her life takes a downturn after a fling with her friend Raghuvendra, a film producer, ends, and she breaks up with her childhood sweetheart, Sid. To make matters worse, Raghuvendra soon gets engaged to another woman. Kaira is also forced to leave her apartment due to her unconventional lifestyle, leading her to reluctantly return to Goa to live with her parents, with whom she has unresolved issues.

In Goa, Kaira seeks help for her insomnia from Dr. Jehangir "Jug" Khan, a psychologist, whom she had heard speak at a mental health conference. Jug's unconventional therapy methods gradually help Kaira understand herself better. Meanwhile, she starts a relationship with a musician named Rumi, but they soon part ways when Kaira realizes they are not right for each other. Kaira also reconnects with her younger brother, Kiddo, the only family member she confides in. A family confrontation reveals Kaira's deep-seated feelings of abandonment from her childhood when her parents left her with her grandparents while they tried to rebuild their business.

Through her sessions with Jug, Kaira learns to view her parents as ordinary people capable of making mistakes and begins the process of forgiving them. She also acknowledges her fear of abandonment, which has prevented her from committing to relationships. At their final session, Kaira admits her feelings for Jug, but he explains that while it is normal for patients to develop such feelings, a relationship between them is not possible. They part on amicable terms, with Kaira finally completing her short film, a project she had been working on for years. At the film's premiere, her friends, family, and past lovers gather to support her. Kaira ends the film by striking up a conversation with a furniture designer, suggesting the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

Cast:

• Alia Bhatt as Kaira, the aspiring cinematographer.
• Shah Rukh Khan as Dr. Jehangir "Jug" Khan, the psychologist.
• Kunal Kapoor as Raghuvendra, the film producer and one of Kaira's boyfriends.
• Angad Bedi as Sid, the restobar owner and Kaira's ex-boyfriend.
• Ali Zafar as Rumi, a musician and singer-songwriter, another of Kaira's boyfriends.
• Ira Dubey as Fatima, Kaira's friend.
• Rohit Suresh Saraf as Kiddo, Kaira's younger brother.
• Yashaswini Dayama as Jackie, Kaira's friend.
• Gautmik as Ganju, Kaira's friend.
• Yashwant Singh as Kaira's uncle.
• Salone Mehta as Kaira's aunt.
• Baby Dishita as young Kaira.
• Nitika Anand as a family friend.
• Amit Nagraj as young Kiddo.
• Aban Deohans as Kaira's mother.
• Atul Kale as Kaira's father.
• Martha Xavier Fernandes as Kaira's maternal grandmother.
• Madhav Vaze as Kaira's maternal grandfather.
• Ivan Sylvester Rodrigues as a hotel vice president, friend of Kaira's father.
• Akanksha Gade as maid Alka.
• Aditya Roy Kapur as a furniture dealer (guest appearance).