As usual, the title of my review says it all! This is one movie that has been made a few years too soon. pity, that. In a nutshell, that line says it all.
I was at the Mall, just whiling the time, looking for a good Vegetarian - only eatery, when I chanced to stroll by the Multiplex floor. Methought of unwinding in a movie hall, but couldn’t make up my mind. So, it was tring. tring. to ROHITTHEBEST{hey: note that. I did not say rohitthesecondbest this time}, who advocated this movie. Well, then I had to dip into my wallet to shell out the dough for the tickets. Those damned cinema-walas wouldn’t let me in free of cost, you see. DAMN!
It was a slow start, I’ll admit that. But the story rapidly catches up on you and grips you in itself. But I am getting ahead of myself. the plot first.
THE PLOT
The movie is basically about a girl with Alzheimers’ disease - a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain that results memory loss, anger, disorientation and mood swings. Interestingly, the movies pivots around the relationship of this girl with her husband, and how her ailment causes problems in their life.
THE STORY
The husband is a Psyciatrist on a cruise, where he falls head - over - heels in love with Piya. What follows is a entertaining session as he tries to woo Piya, using any trick he can.
The husband also has 4 friends - two couples, who eventually bring him straight, leading to him confessing to Piya about his tricks. Well, Piya’s initial anger takes several months to wear off: but she eventually returns. That is one thing I liked- the treatment has been very mature. No running around calling piya "mujhe maaf karo" type stuff. He just says - forgive me if you can. I’ll be waiting for you if you return to me - and that is it. She does! Nice scene, that one. I liked it!
The disease manifests itself in the first few frames of Piya’s screen appearance: in the form of her innocent - seeming memory lapses. At this point, it goes unnoticed by the Psycjhiatrist in the hero. But, after marriage, one day Piya is seen roaming the street - looking for her home when she bumps into her husband. Ajay realises that there is a serious issue at hand - and consults his senior. Another great scene there. Sensitive treatment has really made it outstanding!
Simultaneously, she gets pregnant: and subsequently delivers. Which brings me to another great scene: Piya, forgetting she is expecting, is pirouetting with a jump-rope when Ajay wakes - superb! After delivery, one of the best scenes comes: A frantic Ajay is wondering whether his wife will recognise her baby. does she? Watch the movie! The scene will touch your heart.
After delivery, a worried Ajay is forced to keep a nurse for mother and child- worried as he is about this wife’s forgetfulness. That leads to further problems. poor man, poor lady. Your heart goes out to them! The scene that stays with you here is the bathtub sequence. I cant forget it even now. What was it? WOnt spoil your fun. Watch the movie!
This leads to Ajay considering transferring his wife to a care facility for the sake of this child. the scene where he leaves her, and the scene where she wants to go back. no histionics, nothing. Just a mature treatment, like in other scenes. You dont cry - but you do feel a lump in your throat, your thoughts are just stilled and numbed as you begin to empthasize with the couple.
What happens next? Does she come back? Does Ajay bring her back? Does their relationship survive this strain? Watch the movie for all of that!
THE ANALYSIS
This is a sensitive, captivating and mature love story from Ajay Devgun. It grows on you slowly and grips you. I especialy liked the way you are drawn into each character by the simple expedient of light scenes alternating with the sensitive scenes.
Of note is the friendship between Ajay / Piya and their other 4 friends - 2 couples as alike as chalk and cheese. This is of note because they are used both as comic relief, as well as to add gravity to the sensitive scenes. Their banter - which quickly turns to serious talks - is straight out of real life. That is exactly the way we talk among family and friends - joking, interspersed with meanigfull stuff. The net result is that you begin to identify with the characters. Excellent dialogues - no cliched speech forms has been used. Just normal speech - just the way we speak. Also, the character development is trule noteworthy, with well-defined characters. Till the end, each character stays true to his role.
The movie is a very interesting watch - neither too serious nor too light hearted. While the overall tone is serious, it is not a tear-jerker. It is a sensitive but entertaining movie is my take on it
Yes, there were negatives that the more serious movie goer may have spotted - like the close-ups used in some scenes of the leading players. But, at the end of the day - it is a movie that is a good entertainer - and as you walk away from the hall, the story, the characters stay with you. You want to see it again - that it the best indicator of quality
The acting is superb - especially Ajay Devgan. Kajol looks gorgeous in the movie, and the supporting actors have all carried themselves well, especially Divya and Sumeet. What more could you want? Of course, the music was only slightly above average.
A few years down the line. this plot would probably have scored much better. But as things stand today, such alternative themes do not find popular acceptance among the cinema going people. the film is too sensitive a film for that. My gut feel is that it might do well in international markets, especially the NRI markets.
All in all, an excellent first one from Ajay Devgan!