Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a cinematic treat which we all would love to visit dobara. It is another brand new expression for the new generation slogan, ’Live life in full today - tomorrow may not come’. It is all about living outside the box and the film meaningfully packaged it that way.
It is a story about a bachelor holiday 3 youngsters took which will change the direction of their life journey. Arjun (Hrithik Roshan) is a financial trader, the future generation tension baby who doesn’t have a minute to pose and think about present. Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) is a copy writer for an advertising firm, at heart he wants to be a poet. Kabir (Abhay Deol) works in his father’s construction company and his mrriage is fixed with Natasha (Kalki Koechlin). The three friends plan a trip to Spain, to get some fresh air by breaking the patterns. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is all about how they will change their perspective about life, throwing away fear to make bold resolutions to move forward and live life in full.
The writers, Reema Kagti & Zoya Akhtar did a fantastic job in writing an interesting screen play with sufficient space for visual enrichment. Dialogue writer, Farhan Akhtar doesn’t disappoint either. However, it is the director Zoya Akshtar who made the efforts more worthwhile. This film will be a golden feather in Zoya’s career. Super excellent director with imaginative narration, the director leaves no stones unturned and gets the best from the cast and crew. The movie doesn’t hurry to say a story but move in the pace the viewer wishes to travel. The viewer is treated like a traveler where the director assumed the responsibility of designing a road for the journey. Zoya Akhtar applauds and more for this brilliant work; Unique!
The movie gaves an equal space to all 3 leading characters and 2 leading ladies (though the third leading lady took a back seat). It must have been a hard decision but it pays off. The friendship equilibrium gets a high power which turns to be the strength of the movie. Hrithik Roshan gets a fresh new look in this movie which is cool, young and bold. His performance is also very good. Farhan Akhtar gives an effortless performance where Abhay Deol performs to his reputation. Katrina Kaif’s character has less shadows and the performance doesn’t take too much from her. Katrina’s pairing with Hrithik is cool on screen. Kalki Koechlin impresses again! Nassaruddin Shah gives a brief and very good performance which in fact hides the weakness in character creation.
Cinematography is super excellent in ZNMD. The camera moves as if knowing the mind of the audience. Where you wish to see an image which just passed you, the camera stops there to bring the beauty exclusively to you, so we feel. In air, land or water, Carlos Catalan, the cinematographer never disappoints. Beautiful landscapes, brilliant underwater scenes, breathtaking mid air exhibitions, cinematography leaves a mark and more.
Songs are quite good for its meaningful lyrics by Javed Akhtar and music by Shankar Eshan Loy which makes it more interesting which helps the story telling. Choreography is colourful and adequate.
On the minus side, the subject has been told several times earlier. The pace gets slower in the second half beginning and a bit of editing would have helped here - say 10 minutes. There are poems recited in background, in frequent intervals which disrupts the flow at times (some other places they are good though). The situation Kabir is in could have been better told with a bit of modification in the story for a better impact. Then-wait, the movie never depended on drama to create or keep the curiosity and all sins are pardoned.
Overall Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is for your eyes and heart. It is a special film which doesn’t come often, which entertains and gives the experience of a tour. There are fun, a lot of youthfulness and moreover thoughts for life. It is one movie which I can tell you, do not watch it, feel it!!
My rating: 4.5 stars