A blockbuster of 2001, many have written some very cool stuff here about this movie, here I present my humble effort to this great and ever watch-able movie called DIL CHAHTA HAI.
Crew:
Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani
Director: Farhan Akhtar
Screenplay: Farhan Akhtar, Kassim Jagmagia
Cinematography: Ravi K. Chandran
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Choreography: Farah Khan
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
The Cast:
Aamir Khan: Akash Malhotra
Saif Ali Khan: Sameer
Akshaye Khanna: Siddharth Sinha
Preity Zinta: Shalini
Sonali Kulkarni: Pooja
Dimple Kapadia: Tara Jaiswal
The Plot:
There is no plot in this film. Isn’t it great. I mean, it just floats along. You never know which scene will lead to which direction or which character will be playing next to what part of other character. But, still for the sake of story-telling, I will give you a glimpse of the plot. (if you think, there is any plot whatsoever)
The film is blended and knitted about three distinct characters, Akash (Aamir Khan), Sameer (Saif Ali Khan) and Siddharth (Akshaye Khanna), their individual relationships and the effect that these relationships have on them. Although their thinking and lifestyle is the same, they prove to be three very different individuals. Love. One term that can hold different meanings even for close friends like Akash, Sameer and Siddharth.
Akash does not believe in love, but an impulsive action lands him a black eye and makes him consider having a life with the beautiful Shalini (Priety Zinta), who is engaged to the charming and handsome Rohit (Ayub Khan).
Sameer tends to wear his heart on his sleeve, he is in love with the idea of being in love. He wants to be in love. He is a romantic type, who will fall in love instantaneously, usually to have his heart broken and his valuables stolen. But Sameer has not quite understood the concept yet. So this young man is looking for the perfect woman in his life.
Siddharth. Sid, as he is fondly called, seems to know the true meaning of life. According to his friends, neighbours and even the dogs, Siddharth knows it all. The most mature, sensitive and understanding of these three.
The women who come and change their lives are Shalini (Preity Zinta) and Tara Jaiswal (Dimple Kapadia). Sonali Kulkarni also plays an important role in Dil Chahta Hai. Her character is looking for marriage but not without ’’love’’.
My own perspective:
In Dil Chahta Hai, people talk like how they’re supposed to talk, and nothing seems unrealistic about their personality. While watching the film, it becomes quite evident that Farhan Akhtar belongs to a breed of young, talented directors. What they lack in experience, they make up with an ambitious vision and raw talent.
The depiction of youth is so dead-on and realistic that you would be disgusted at the way youth is treated in other Bollywood films, where every college student aside from the hero/heroine are party-going idiots or jittery nerds!
After watching this movie, I am surprised to note that how much hope is still left in Bollywood.
Now lets have a look at the performances by some very known Bollywood actors.
Performances:
Aamir Khan: What can you say about him? My mouth is mummmm and my fingers are not allowing me to write anything. Yeah, that’s the way he is. Perfectionist. He lives the roles and not himself. As Akash, he was flawless, you can zoom in and zoom out the camera and the facial expressions he gives, is simply superb. He’s turns on (and off) expressions on a mobile face with consummate ease. Not very many actors dare to do so many close-ups that there are in Dil Chahta Hai and come out trumps. Aamir does.
Saif Ali Khan: He can act(no offence towards his fans). Wow, that’s great news. Now he proves it in this film that he can really really act. He’s really made an impact here. As Sameer, Saif simply rocked.
Akshaye Khanna: He played the most interesting part. As Sid (Siddharth), he used his voice and face expressions to optimum effect. He is a surprise package. You can mingle with him the grey shades of the character which he played and still he comes out way apart from other characters in the movie. He made his own impact.
Priety Zinta: She played more than a crying-dancing-beauty of Bollywood. Her character demanded more and she gave more. She is getting better and better. She is just loveable by her dynamic presence and effortless acting.
Dimple Kapadia: Graceful. Playing a depressed divorcee and trying to beat the system, she is still grace and a lot of class, inspite of weather beaten features. But, she must take care of her teeth.
QUOTE FROM THE MOVIE:
[Akash and Shalini are sitting next to each other in the plane]
Akash Malhotra: So where are you going?
Shalini: This flight goes to Sydney
Akash Malhotra: I know, but where are you going?
Shalini: To Sydney!
Akash Malhotra: What a coincidence, the three of us are going to Sydney!
Shalini: Three of us?
Akash Malhotra: You, me, and this flight.
To sum it up, the movie is a must watch for every department of the film, be it acting, direction, cinematography, screenplay, choreography and most of all songs. Somehow, songs over-shadowed very essence of the movie and played typical over-the-hill part as going deep inside you and come out with some different feeling altogether and you really have to make an effort to come back to see the movie. Well done Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. I will try to write another review on movies’ soundtrack.
For now, just ciao.
Thanks for reading.