The film seems like a collage of so many successful films – the basic plot is similar to Notting Hill, a few portions bear a striking resemblance to Titanic and a couple of sequences – mainly the climax – appear like an extension of Crash.
Of course, it goes without saying that the director seems heavily inspired by the Karan Johar school of film-making as well. The foreign locales, the confrontation sequences, the emotion-charged climax , the gay jokes… Nevertheless, despite so many ’inspirations’, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye is a decent attempt in providing wholesome entertainment.
Aditya (Akshay Kumar) is an automobile engineer as well as a test driver for a successful car company. He is engaged to Sonia (Bipasha Basu) who is a fashion designer. But the two have completely opposite personalities and views on life. Akshay is a typical family man who will always prioritize family, while Basu is a modern girl with a modern outlook.
She prioritizes her career and marriage and kids will always take a back seat. Although Akshay is always aware of their differences, he often tries to overlook these disparities.
The marriage date for Aditya and Sonia is fixed by their families, but both have to go on work related trips to different locations. Aditya has to go off to Canada to overlook a new car model development that will be launched in India soon and Sonia has to attend a fashion show in Paris that will help make a mark in her career. Both decide to keep their prior work commitments.
In Canada, Aditya meets his sister, Simran’s (Bhagayshree) family. Unfortunately, he cannot live with them even though he would like to, as he has to stay at the company quarters because it is much nearer to the workshop. But he promises to come over for the weekends.
While in Canada, he keeps bumping into Jia (Katrina Kaif), who is the daughter of business tycoon Yashwardhan. Jia has come to Canada alone to do her wedding trousseau shopping as she is about to marry business magnate Karan Oberoi (Anil Kapoor).
Jia is a simple sweet girl who longs to be loved, as she has received all the material comforts in life except for familial love. Both her father as well as her soon to be husband are too busy with their business pursuits to fulfill her needs. The chance encounters between Aditya and Jia keep happening and soon they develop a strong friendship and bond.
Aditya introduces Jia to his sister’s family and she finds the family that she has been looking for all her life. Gradually this affinity grows into love, but none of them are willing to admit it as they both are about to be engaged to other people. Fate of course intervenes and brings them together.
After Aditya and Jia participate in a car race, they get snow stormed in the place and are forced to confront their feelings for each other. They spend a few intimate moments with each other. But tragedy strikes and the same fate that brought them together, now makes them part ways due to a misunderstanding between them and they each return to their fiancés. Will destiny once again come to the rescue of these two lovers who have parted ways? Will Aditya marry Sonia? Will Jia choose Aditya or Karan?
The best thing about the film is that the story moves on one track throughout – concentrating on the two principal players. Although the pace is slow, the screenplay is quite captivating at several places.
Sequences between Akshay and Katrina are well written. The change of events towards the climax is equally fascinating. It’s emotional and contrary to what one would’ve expected, which is why it appeals all the more.
Directorially, Raj Kanwar has handled a few scenes with grace. The emotional moments succeed in touching your heart. Also, the culmination of the love story is amongst the film’s high points.
Music is quite tuneful. The film has a couple of ear-pleasing tunes, notable among them being ’YEH DARD’, ’title track’ and the Himesh Reshammiya track. Cinematography is striking. Dialogues are sensitive, specially those delivered by Katrina.
Katrina has a meatier role and she essays it with supreme confidence. Akshay is efficient, essaying a sober role with elan.
Bipasha makes her presence felt. Anil has been credited with a special appearance but his role is throughout.He is quite alright.
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye is a feel good film that should appeal more to the city audience.