Question Number 1: Chemistry or Tain Tain Phuss
First of all, I will answer the BIG question. Is Amir-Kajol as good or even better than SRK-Kajol? Well, according to me they are slightly ahead if we consider only the second part of the film. Some of the scenes in second half especially the whole sequence where Amir discloses his true identity to Kajol is just pure magic. This is the stuff cinema is made of, this is what good chemistry is all about. However, some moments in the first half especially the song ’’Dekho Na’’ had both of them quite cold compared to the hot and sizzling song it could have been. Also, despite being a good movie, this is not a DDLJ, but it could easily be a KKHH and K3G is certainly not in the same league.
Question Number 2: Is it Amir or is it Kajol?
Now this one is a difficult one to answer. Both of them are just mind blowing and excellent. For a change, there is not one scene where Kajol has to shout or scream to the point of breaking her voice. For a change, Amir’s reactions do not seem pre-meditated and decided. Both of them had absolutely difficult characters. Amir Khan is the new age terrorist who could be your local guide, staying in the PG next door or even masquerading as Army officer in remote areas of Siachin. When he is loving, he is lovable, with his Shayri and with his helplessness of coming to terms that he has fallen head over heels over a blind girl. When he is menacing, he is cold. Absolutely cold to the point of being unbelievable. The characters motivation during the last part of the film are a bit camourflaged. Did he have a change of heart? Did he now want to live with his family? Was that the reason he wanted to complete his mission? Some answers which screenplay did not answer ’’clearly’’. Kajol as a blind girl is simply splendid. Ideally, this role required a drop dead gorgeous beauty. But none of them can really act. But Kajol can like no one else can. As a blind girl each and every dialogue she speaks is spot on. Na acting ek inch idhar na ek inch udhar. Just simply spot on. For all those who liked Rani’s portrayal of a blind character good in Black. Just watch Kajol. She effortlessely and simply skips into a Blind Girl portrayal. Her body language, use of hands, keeping her eyes still even while emoting with rest of muscles on her face and reading Braille. You could almost believe she has been blind since birth. Such is the ease, no-fuss [see I am acting] and command she displays. And then in second half as a doting mother and a girl coming to terms with her loss, she does what no one else can. Play a mother again with ease, no-fuss [see I am acting] and command. After watching the movie you will understand why Amir only wanted to cast Kajol for this role. She just makes other heroines including Rani, Preity et al seem quite trivial and distant. In the song Tere Ishq Mein Ho Jaoon Fanna she walks and exudes radiance like a majestic queen. Such is her screen presence. The film also provides the characters some non-homogeneous characters rather than one-dimensional roles which most Yash Raj films tend to have. Characters are modern yet traditional, simple yet complex, ordinary yet special and importantly are real yet un-real.
Question Number 3 - Production values ka Sawal...
Story: Now story is not exactly new. Its just the way the screenplay is structured that its looks like a novel film.
Screenplay: Climax seems to be written by another writer. It just goes way off the radar. It is sudden, hurried and quick. It does not explain the motivations of characters easily. Film is packed with at lest four high points which always keeps your interested going.
Photography - Its ok. I mean its not as if they did a Dil Se on screen but its not like a third grade production either. You expect this much.
Choreography - A film with situational songs is a choreographers nightmare. And on top of it neither is Amir a good dancer nor Kajol. But all of the songs work because they are seamlessely woven into the narrative.
Direction - Now Kunal Kohli has surely arrived with this one. Some of the scenes like Kajol switching off her lamp lights while her room mate turns to sleep and still continuing to read her book [Braille] was so subtle and powerful at the same time. Blind dont need light to see the things. Some scenes look like having been directed by Aditya Chopra. The second half scene I talked about above is a trademark Aditya Chopra scene. First half, when Kajol goes for a day and then a night out with Amir are other hall marks. The pre-interval portions are another good director’s point. Overall I would give him a neat 7/10.
Question Number 4 - Is the film Good?
Yes, it is. I was expecting a damp squib or just an average film. But this film rocked. The casting is spot on and well the rest just works from there. If more support was needed, Rishi Kapoor and Kirron Kher simply just add to fireworks. Speaking of which, Rishi Kapoor might just get the best supporting actor next year. That is if the cute little Rehaan does not. This must be the cutest performance by any child artist ever. I just loved him the moment he came on sceen. If I have a son one day, I would want him to be like this
Question Number 5 - What is best thing about the movie?
- Dialogues. Excellent.
’’Ab tumhein darr lag raha hai’’
’’Rehaan tumse jitna pyar karta hai utna tum us se nahi karti’’
Also, with a stellar star cast rendering them, effect is multiplied ten times.
Amir - Kajol’s Son. Oh he is such a cutesieee
Amir - Kajol - Rishi acting
Overall, a great summer time big budget big screen bonanza. Yash Raj seems to be seeing at least a hit again. Its not without its fault. But then no movie is not without it. The movie worked for me and seems like worked for quite a bit of crowd going by claps from upper stall. So there seems to be something for everyone. It might not be a path breaking film but it sure is as I said great summer time cinema treat.