JUST MARRIED, produced by PNC and scripted-directed by Meghna Gulzar, has an oft-repeated storyline, but it’s the storytelling that makes it distinct.
The story revolves around a newly wed couple Abhay Sachdeva[Fardeen Khan] and Ritika Khanna[ESha Deol].
The couple heads for their honeymoon in Ooty, 290 km from their home in Bangalore, soon after marriage. On the way, they meet other people - couples and individuals, some who believe in the institution of marriage and the romance of togetherness and some who are skeptical about lifelong commitment.
How they cope with this situation is what this film is about.
An oft-repeated story – a girl and a boy getting married and the problems they face thereafter – has been witnessed million times since the inception of Bollywood. The storyline is waferthin and the initial reels don’t help in enriching the state of affairs.
The focal point in the first half is on romance, music and light scenes and the narrative moves on the same path. But the graph of the film modifies with the entry of other 5 couples. The sequences thereafter, although predictable, are well executed and keep the viewer’s interest alive.
Considering the fact that the flick is Mehna Gulzar’s second attempt after FILHAAL, she has handled a couple of sequences with aplomb.But the impact tends to get diluted at times thanks to the songs that crop up at regular intervals.
Pritam’s musical score does boast of a couple of songs that hold popular appeal. Cinematography is up to the mark. The stunning locales of ooty have been captured brilliantly on celluloid.
Fardeen Khan carries the film on his broad shoulders and comes up with a sincere performance that is consistent throughout. Esha Deol shows vast improvement over her earlier performance.She springs a pleasant surprise in the emotional moments by delivering the apposite expressions.
Bikram is appropriate. Perizaad is, like always, highly competent. Satish Shah is good. To conclude JUST MARRIED is an entertaining love story that should find appeal mainly from the youth. If mushy light hearted film is what you are looking for, this one is for you!