Seldom comes a film that gives you a food for thought & the opportunity to rediscover yourself. And Zoya Akhtar’s second directorial venture ’Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara; is one such film. So, first & foremost I would like to give her a standing ovation for choosing the plot & presenting it so wonderfully on the screen that it seems as if the film is directed by someone with years of experience in the field.She never looked like a person who is just directing her second film.
The film is not that we see very often because it is different in all aspects, be it the narration, the execution of the material, the locations chosen to play the most significant part in the film that moves the story ahead, etc. I am just speechless.
The film is about three friends, Hrithik Roshan (a stock broker), Abhay Deol (a builder) & Farhan Akhtar (a copy writer). Abhay Deol gets engaged with Kalki & decides to celebrate his bachelor party with his friends in Spain. The three meet in Spain & begins their road journey, which changed their lives when it ended.
Sounds simple & boring. Isn’t it? Don’t be in a rush to judge it so soon, because their journey was neither simple nor boring. Thanks to the deft writing, superb dialogues & superlative performances that gives the film an outstanding look.
The three main characters of the film are so strongly built that never for once they let you down. Zoya Akhtar did not waste anytime in introducing the main characters from the first scene onwards. Farhan Akhtar’s funny speech, Abhay Deol’s prank & Hrithik Roshan’s firm determination & obsession with money explains them well in neatly written episodes. Watch out for the scenes when they are shown packing their bags before leaving for Spain. Brilliant work.
They meet in Spain as planned & in their very first meet it is understood that there is something wrong between Hrithik & Farhan. Hrithik, who had a recent break up with his girl friend, Farhan, who wants to meet Salman Habeeb while the other two are not aware of it & Abhay, who is there to celebrate his last few days of bachelorhood. Does he too has anything up his sleeve?
Thus they begin their road journey that changed their lives for ever.
Along with their journey begins the non stop conversations, which at times makes you smile, sometimes you burst into a laughter & then suddenly the viewer is stunned to know the reason behind the rift between Hrithik & Farhan. The inclusion of Katrina Kaif only adds the value of the film because her role though not big enough but due to the strong character that she portrays, makes her presence worth a look.
Generally conversations can lead you to boredom but thanks to the honesty with which the dialogues are written that succeed to keep the viewers hooked to the screen waiting for the next to happen. Hats off to Farhan Akhtar for writing those wonderful dialogues, which keeps moving the story forward at constant speed & that certainly keeps the viewers interest alive throughout. Good job Farhan.
When the end credits begins to roll, it seems as we too were a part of their journey as it propels you to rethink many things. After all you only live once & we wonder if we had any unfinished issue.
There are so many scenes worth mentioning, especially the three spots that they chose for their trip, deep water diving, then jumping from the height of 15000 feet & running in front of the bulls but not before making a pact before starting the run.
Meeting between Farhan Akhtar & Nasir-ud-din Shah was one of the best scenes, which was very well written with no melodrama in it. Just the touch of honesty & the result after the meeting was icing on the cake.
The scene when Katrina Kaif & Hrithik Roshan go for a walk, Abhay Deol testing Farhan by asking him to answer in one word & same test being conducted on Abhay by Hrithik, etc, etc, etc. The list is endless. In fact there is hardly any scene that you will find is unwanted.
At four different situations Zoya Akhtar has opted to narrate the scenes through brilliantly written poems by Javed Akhtar. These poems are read at the background in the voice of Farhan Akhtar. Just listen to them & salute the mastery of Javed Akhtar. Especially the last poem. Thanks Mr. Javed Akhtar.
The songs are well written & are in tune with the mood of the film. Shankar Ehsan Loy has done a wonderful job by composing good tunes & the instruments used in the song that was shot in the hotel in Spain, gives you a feel of Spanish music.
Photography is of top quality. It covered the beauty of Spain well & is a treat to your eyes. Full marks.
Kalki does a fine job again. Katrina Kaif has performed well & have looked in complete control. Nasiruddin Shah in a small role leaves an impact.
Farhan Akhtar has really surprised me with a stunning performance. His timing for comedy is just perfect & he has handled the serious scenes with equal ease. He gives papa Javed Akhtar all the reasons to be actually Farhan of him (Farhan in Arabic means - happy).
Abhay Deol as usual is first rate. What an actor. Like all his previous films, here too he easily got into the skin of the character & has performed to perfection.
Hrithik Roshan is mind blowing & has given a top class performance yet again.
Actually none of the three characters were easy but the ease with which they are handled by director Zoya Akhtar they have not only become easy but have become lovable too.
Finally, Zoya Akhtar who to me is the main hero of the film is here to stay. She has been in complete control & has given us a film that we will remember for a long long time.
Whatever the result of the film at the box office, this film is surely going to carry home few awards. I’ll be very disappointed if Farhan Akhtar is not given the award for best dialogues & Zoya Akhtar for the best director.
Please go for it.