“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” – Leonardo da Vinci
Rajkumar Santoshi tries to reprive the glory of his Andaz Apna Apna days with this classic formula – simplicity. And what’s more, it works! The typical romantic Bollywood flick gets a makeover; albeit a powerful script, an aspect which is scarce in the lackluster writing of the contemporary films.
Plot: If we get to the core, the plot is simple – Boy is a pathetic “non achiever”. Boy meets new girl in town, falls head over heels in love. But what’s this? The girl is struck by the “dosti syndrome” (read “hum sirf dost hain, just friends”). Now, time for the loser to get his act together and show the girl what she’s missing out on, all the while creating a new conundrum. A very basic overplayed theme. Where’s the fun? Well, the fun lies in the presentation.
Prem (Ranbir Kapoor) is the ninth standard drop out. He is also the proud but not so respected President of the “Happy Club”. He leads a group of brat packs who have no aim in life (more like no “future”). They are the towns latest ‘samaj sewaks’ (social workers) whose aim is to do good unto others. They help aspiring couples to tie the knot (by kidnapping girls and sending them to their eloping boyfriends where necessary). But how will they cope when one of their own falls in the love trap? Enter newbie hottie Jenny (Katrina Kaif) who makes our hero’s dil go Mmmmm…. (Don’t get any ideas!). She’s hot, smart, orphaned and in need of a shoulder. Prem says “Main hoon na” and so it begins… The rest of the story is Prem trying to convince Jenny that he is the Mr. Right for her. And he literally does anything to prove that!
Themes: The film brilliantly shows the things that we do for love. How far are you ready to go for someone you love? Is expressing your love the ‘right’ way as important as loving the person? The film asks these daunting questions in a not so daunting manner. Raj Kumar Santoshi has come up with one of the best written scripts in recent times. The film explores that how simple we, as human beings are at their core and how complicated we can make situations! The films highpoint is the amount of attention Santoshi pays in the intricate detailing of every scene. The humour is derived from situations, and thus does not border on being either slapstick, vulgar or forced. There are classic one liners which will stay in public memory for some time.
The film can be classified as being a youngster’s life on canvas. Ranbir reprises his Wake up Sid role to an extent, but this time with more aplomb and with a no holds barred attitude that makes him a scene stealer. The parental cape donned by Smitha Jaykar and Darshan Zariwala fits perfectly and we have some of the funniest scenes with the father – mother – son Mahabharats!! They love their son damn the consequences. So while we have an anxious father trying to make sense out of what “product” he has ‘manufactured’ for the world to fathom; there is the doting mother who turns into Mrs Robinson momentarily to divert the father’s attention from his son’s antics. Expect to laugh your heart out, for the comedy is clean and natural.
The list of oddjob characters doesn’t end here. There is the local don (Zakir Hussain) who has bigger problems at hand than protecting his “khaufnaak” image of a fearful Bhai. If only, he could get his talktime right! Even Katrina’s godfather Sallu makes a guest appearance (just to warn Ranbir to watch his step, I guess!). Jokes apart, the film keeps you in good spirits throughout.
Cast: Ranbir is in full form. If ever there was more to see of Ranbir after the towel scene in Saawariya (we are talking in the acting department!), this film removes all quandaries. It feels like he has been asked to just let go and have fun and he does so taking you, the viewer, with him. Katrina follows close in his footsteps and the crackling and mildly sparking chemistry between the two of them is the highlight of the film. All the supporting cast, Darshan Zariwala and Smita Jaykar (as the parents) and Zakir Hussain as the don add a lot of depth to this not so ajab but a very ghazab kahani! Unfortunately, Upen Patel doesn’t get to flex his muscles and disappoints big time as he has to keep his shirt on for most of the time.
The music of the film is inspiring (no no, I didn’t say “inspired”, read again!). Pritam has done a wonderful job and even though the originality of his music can be debated, the quality sure can’t be. Main tera Dhadkan teri comes alive with Ranbir burning the the dance floor and Katrina burning a lot of hearts! It was just sheer pleasure to listen to Atif after such a long time. Tu jaane na is my favourite. It’s been some time since there has been a melodious lyrical number. Tera hone laga hoon comes a close second. Aa jao meri Tamanna is another hummable song. I don’t think that I’ve heard such a ‘complete’ album in recent times. I must say, Kudos!
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