I had watched the movie YUVA along with a couple of other friends of mine. I had always wanted to watch the tamil version first but due to ’house full’ in all theatres running AE in chennai settled down for YUVA. I had gone to the movie along with couple of friends of mine.
I had come to the theatre along with one of them while the other had to come alone. We all studied in the same college with each havin our own definition of fun. While I am an offbeat guy (zara hatke type) the other two guys are extroverts to the core! and only god knows how our friendship still survives!
We then got into the theatre which was a struggle in itself. The theatre was a multiplex and many didnt know where the entrance and exit were. We somehow got into the theatre just b4 the title. The movie was good. We then had some popcorn for the interval and then got back into the theatre for the next half. After the film ended (no one was able to guess when it ended there were no titles in the end), we left the theatre and went to a nearby hotel to have some wholesome food(cheaper than the theatre).
Well there ends my review. You people may be surprised to read this review. Well even I felt the same when I watched the movie. There was little importance to the actual script. Probably, Mani Ratnam can never direct a Nayakan again since I doubt whether his treatment and the audience’s reaction to it will be the same as before. In YUVA, more time was spent on each character. No criticism of this. Its the director who chooses what to do with the film.
But where is the message? the movie has more about the personal life of the characters rather than the social message which many people told was to be conveyed through the movie.
A lot of criticism has been written about transformation in Lallan’ character. But I don’t find anything bad in it! wat do ppl want for lullan to become good eh? and then tell that there is nothing new in the film?
About the technicalities, well, they shine in patches. Cinematography is great. Mani’s movies have always set benchmark regarding cinematography. This one is no different. Sabu Cyril does a neat job with his simple sets. However his discotheque set was nowhere in comparison with the final set in BOYS(probably cost constraints). The songs are good but not great.here the lyrics seems to have been twisted and bended. Rahman scores with his background music which is simply superb! especially for Abhishek. The transformation of his character is not only very well picturised but also aptly supported by the background score.
About the actors, Abhishek is the best in the film. Vivek Oberoi too has done well within the limited scope he has.
A drawback to the film however is Ajay Devgan. His acting is cool.But something does seem to be lacking when he is Micheal. Probably age I guess. The leading gals have less work to do. Rani is great and so is Kareena. Esha has done her job well.
Another scene stealer is Anuraag Kashyaap. His dialogues r really good. Each time I used to watch mani movies dubbed in hindi I was sick of the dialogues. But this time it was cool, apt and understandable.
A final word:
Mani Ratnam has given more room to romance and humour (french kiss and kanpur ka rishta). Probably a little bit of politics would have done the film no harm. But remember his situation: he is catering to an audience who MURDERed his DIL(se) sometime back.