Frankly speaking, I had the least expectation regarding the success of the movie as it was suppose to be an adaptation of already a hit best-seller’Five Point Someone’. I felt that maybe because of Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani there can be some extra innings to watch. This negative feeling crops up when you are already satisfied after reading the book.
I was forced to be a part of the crowd of 25th December at Cinemax, by one of my closest buddy at 8.30am. Somehow when the winters are creeping in and it’s a holiday you generally do not get the enthusiasm for a morning show. However, I pulled myself to Mani Square and finally saw myself amidst the youngistan crowd.
The film started hilariously as usual with the reunion of old friends Farhan Qureshi and Raju Rastogi after their days at one of the best engineering colleges, Imperial College of Engineering where they met each other and became indispensable friends. The movie hence begins with to-and-fro as they keep recollecting their fond memories which are responsible for their present.
Their bonding reason Ranchhoddas Shyamaldas Chanchad(Rancho) who was an off-beat personality but a lover of engineering, combined with fun, frolic and values was the missing link. Rancho was the man to teach them to live their dreams that they have aspired for so long. With the adversities and emotional journey of college they turn out to be true individuals, not just mere puppets of the education system.
However, with the end of their college Rancho disappeared mysteriously leaving a mark of emptiness in their lives. Now that two of them are together, with another batch mate, Chatur Mahalingam, they set out to search their lost friend. They also looked for Pia who was the dean’s daughter and also the love interest of Rancho. With lot of other unfolding mysteries, twists and turns they finally make their way to their most cherished person.
The first reaction when the movie ended – why did it have to end? I was speechless and overwhelmed with the delivery of the messages on which the film stood. Nonetheless one can call it a sequence of Munnabhai, but Munnabhai movies were always successful in creating a thoughtful impact on the audience with its hilarious sarcasm. So, this Rajkumar Hirani movie is again full of non-stop sarcasm on the day-to-day life, system and robotic existence in which we are born and forced to live in; where the call of heart is reduced to idiotic fling and peer pressures lead to rat races.
The most important aspect of the movie is the constructive thought process that aims for a better living, better growing and better future. The heart’s call was predominant as it has been variously used revealing that, success comes to them who lead their lives reciprocating to their hearts.
And Ranchoddas Chanchad, the protagonist character epitomized this spirit in all in his actions, dialogues and mannerisms. The fun of living that everyone should learn is when you bear your heart into your sleeves and take on any damn risk fearlessly. For that all you need is ‘love’, love for yourself, love for others, love for their well being and love for any good things to prosper, ‘coz there is an old saying ‘Love begets Love’.
Amazing script and amazing direction that went hand-in-hand for the super success of the movie. Especially, the ‘chamatkar’ turned to ‘balaatkar’ in the script of Chatur was excellently penned down. I also liked the way science was displayed in the ‘delivery’ scene. Though it seemed a little far-fetched but then that’s how a scientist’s mind works beyond the texts and classrooms. Acting was world class. Infact, I felt Oscar jury would be indecisive as to whom to give away the best actor award amongst Aamir, Sherman Joshi and Madhavan. It seemed all of them gave their own lives to form the characters.
They looked youthful, fun loving and yet vulnerable during the time of tests in their respective lives. Omi Vaidya as Chatur was flawless and Kareena as Pia was evergreen youthful. Boman Irani as ‘Virus’, the college dean, aptly represented the stark difference of two generations. The songs composed by Santanu Moitra went at ease with the movie. Overall, the movie was the best experience of 2009 with Hirani and Abhijat Joshi duo standing tall once again. Three cheers to the movie crew for offering a palate of rainbow colors that was missing in our grey lives!