Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaye has a sparkling star cast, but it suffers on two counts -- One, the storyline is as old as the hills. Similar Hindi films have been witnessed time and again though the film was released way back in 2000.
Two, K.Murali Mohan Rao’’s storytelling and treatment looks outdated as well.
Salman Khan is a poor weddng singer who plays at other people’s weddings to make money yet just can’t hit the right note in his own love life. His small family consists of his sister Neelu (Kashmira Shah) and bhai-in-law (Mohnish Behl).
Nisha (Raveena) is Prem’s love, a girl who he is engaged to. As fate has it, Nisha’s bhai is terribly ill with cancer and his treatment requires a plethora of money that neither one have. To pay for the bills, she agrees to marry the smooth N.R.I., Rahul (Inder Kumar), who is also filthy rich, as all N.R.I.s are!!
Prem sings sad songs on his own wedding day, since Nisha ditches him and leaves him to his own guitar.... Until Priya (Rani) dances into his life . Priya is Mona’s (Pooja Batra) cousin who comes to visit. Mona is an actress wannabe, who squabbles with Nisha . Mona also lives next door to Prem, and they always meet outside when they go to hang their clothes to dry.
Well, Prem and Priya fall for each other, though Priya ditches him for that terrible N.R.I., who ends up being, yes, the suave Inder Kumar again. What happens next?
What adds to its woes is the uneven and lethargic pace the story moves ahead. Moreover, everytime the viewer expects something to happen, either the pace drops or nothing happens at all.
Several questions remain unanswered till the very end. Some instances
Why does Salman conceal the identity of his beloved (Rani) throughout?
And on what grounds does Raveena leave Salman?
Also, there was just no need to show Aiport towards the end.
Directorially, K.Murali Mohan Rao’s shot execution gives an impression that you’re watching a flick of the 1980s. The film lacks the finesse one associates with a big-budget entertainer with a dynamic star cast. The film, besides looking dated, deals with a regressive theme and worsens it with cliched dialogues. The second half is way too lengthy
. Musically, the film boasts of an impressive number of music composers, but barring the title song, none of the songs enhance the proceedings. Also, the picturisation of a couple of songs seems like yesteryears.
Cinematography is just about okay.
KPNHJ belongs to SALMAN KHAN-the actor , SALMAN KHAN-THE SUPERSTAR.He comes up with a powerful performance. His emotional outbursts, as a lover in search of his beloved, engage the viewer to a major extent
Rani tries to infuse life into her character, but fails. The director has neither given her decent lines nor scenes that could have brought forth her immense talent. Also, her looks are inconsistent throughout.
Jackie does well in a handful of sequences.His hairline betrays him all the while. Raveena goes through her part mechanically. Pooja Batrai’s role and performance are insignificant. Indra Kumar does not impress. Mohnish Ball has nothing to do. Shakti Kapoor is so-so. Avoidable@MS!