Yash Chopra made a romance in wonderland Dil To Pagal Hai, it was new and unique to see so many sugary syrupy emotions and perfectly choreographed essaying of story and life. The look of the film was done by a young man called Karan Johar, who also appeared in a small role in DDLJ. Now the fellow is back with his directed film, KKHH. And as if the result of his training must appear straight in his film, the film bears Yash Chopra trademark everywhere. But is he as masterly?
The story is an enessemble from a number of past movies and so are the various scenes. Karan Johar creates a fantasy world which never really exists in India even in the most posh of areas. The Archie inspired campus is too out of sync with even American standards. The kinda classrooms they have make one feel u r watching a kindergarten and not a campus. Other than Kajol noone really looks to be in India. Move over to SRK’s house post interval. The skyline overlooking his window is clearly Manhattan. Where do u get this in India and even if u did where is he staying? On 100th Floor? Even a 1 year old can tell that Essel World is made out to be Shimla Summer Camp. Well he can go all the way to Ireland for shooting, but cant go to Shimla, is kinda strange. So thinking about any authenticity or research is out of window. Life has to be perfect and any black spots removed. Even the girls who perform outside a Mandir do not sing any devotional song but a raunchy judai ka geet. After all who has time to sing a Bhajan and if has then it has to be in a mini skirt with no ambience of respect or piety. A sexy aarti and not a word said from the custodians of Hindu religion. As if that is not enough, Hindu girl prays in traditional Muslim way as if she has been doing it all her life and God does answer, afterall it is Hero’s daughter and not an ordinary fellow’s. The Haveli’s look like Raj Mahal’s and girls dress in heavy traditional outfits and deck themselves in as much jewellery as possible. When they switch to the modern dresses, they barely leave a place to reveal on their bodies. All a perfectly choreographed setting helped by dress designer (?), art director (?) and cinematographer (?).
SRK is off mood in the movie in most scenes. Perhaps Mani Rathnam was too taxing and all his energies got drained in Dil Se and hence, he had nothing left for buddy Johar. His scenes in campus are awful and the tight shirts and pants make him look chubby and fat and definitely not macho. The problem is he has not made necessary adjustments in his look to look like a college going student. He looks like a crazy PhD student and behaves like a Nursery kid. The second half is more restrained and some scenes come up well, esp when Kajol-SRK meet after 8 years and then talk in the night. The pre-interval scene is also good. But the way he says @#%$.... well he has used that mannerism so many times. It is a dreadful performance and he sleepwalks through most of the film. Rani Mukherjee has nothing much to do other than look beautiful and try to get her Hindi diction right. Her voice is unusual and performance is sugary and controlled. Kajol is the soul of the movie who saves the movie from being a massive dud. Her role before interval needed a committed and natural actress. It is clear that the director-actress share special bond and Kajol is in her career best form. After the interval she is merely extending Madhuri’s portrayal of Pooja in DTPH. However, she does it well and in some scenes her expressions have stolen the show from everyone. SRK-Kajol meeting after 8 years and the way Kajol looks at him is marvellous. Again her performance in the climax is mind blowing and saves a poorly written climax. Salman Khan is cheerful and looks like a million dollars. However, he tends to ham big time in some scenes. Rest are ok!
Costume designer has to do nothing but pick up clothes, adjust them to fit tightly on actors and no research has gone into what clothes youngsters or married people wear in India at all. And this fellow thinks he should have won the costumes designer award. Art direction is totally tasteless. It is more an Interior decoration than art designing. Photography is good in some places and absolute horror in others. Music is ok with couple of good songs. Choreography of some songs is good and others is time pass. The songs are good and hummable but they are choreographed way too routinely and some of it is boring as well.
Karan Johar as a director has to learn on technical aspects like camera work but he is superb in screenplay development. The thread of narrative is amazing and editing is flawless as well. He has also extracted special performances from the children.
Overall a candy floss film with generous reviewing because of a first time director film. Kajol is the soul saving grace of the film. Rani dazzles for a brief while and SRK/Salman add the needed star value. Unlikely to be remembered long for its cinematic content.
Rating - 6/10
P.S - Rani Mukherjee was fourth choice for the role of Tina after Twinkle Khanna, Raveena Tandon and Tabu.
SRK did win the award that year but not for Dil Se but KKHH. He was visibly upset in the ceremony and even claimed in his speech he did not deserve the award since it was a Kajol film.
The film was a massive hit.