It wasn’t a big dramatic turnaround, it was mostly a series of realizations that happened over time, after he moved out. Here there were 2 things that worked for audiences: First, the carefree way the movie explained adulting. From him shifting into a suburban home that is clearly a downgrade from his lavish Mumbai house to finding a job on his qualifications despite failing college, there were a series of events that led to Sid’s character evolution that most millennials identified with. The transition from irresponsible Sid to the serious Sid happened only because he was made aware of his advantages. We could be doing event management and be happy-something our parents would never understand as an option in their times. Why? Considering most of us have seen the internet boom, traditional jobs are no longer something we consider as important for a good life. This too, is another brilliant sub-plot that was incorporated seamlessly into the story. In reality, it is this move that helps him grow and realize his passion for photography. While in the movie, it is Sid’s dad, played by Anupam Kher, who rips the hard bandaid off by asking him to leave the house after he fails at helping the family business. That’s where most of us begin to feel the pressure of adult life-because we never prepared for it and took our privilege for granted. We all think “oh, ab toh time hai, relax, it’ll be fine’’ before we are thrown into a life of deadlines and commitments. Maybe we do not take it to the extent of actually failing, but the carefree attitude is definitely present. Flunking college, chilling with friends and expecting his parents to be cool with his decisions, is something we see can observe as a common trait in many millennials. In the first half of the movie, Sid Mehra is the definition of privilege. Not the hard tax-paying corporate life but simply, taking responsibility for your actions. Ranbir Kapoor’s effortless acting, Konkona Sen Sharma’s laidback vibe and a brilliantly written storyline by Ayan, all came together to make a movie that made the younger generation realize what adulting really meant. Released in 2009 and directed by first-time director Ayan Mukerji, Wake Up Sid was essentially made for millennials.

Wake up sid 2009