Sunday, June 2, 2013

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani - Movie Review

Since a Hindi movie had released after a healthy 8 month gap in my location, I went to see the much hyped Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, even though its sleazy title begged me not to go. To say the least, this film had a happy ending. That is, I was happy that it finally ended.  The second half of this never ending piece of cinema (?) gave me a migraine attack for the first time in my life.

This is a story of four friends. Wait, did I say story? Well, there is no story in it whatsoever. You point any random scene from the film, I will tell from which film the scene is lifted. The first hour is a template copy of DDLJ. There is an action sequence in Manali, thanks to Burfi. Then there is a look alike letter scene from 3 Idiots. Post interval Kalki’s skype wedding invitation, Deepika’s speech on her Sangeet, courtesy Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. And was that 8 or 9 year gap in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? The list goes on.

Only in two places I found something original in the script. One, when a prostitute answers in her interview, ‘I has two childrens’ and the second, when Ranbir tells Deepika during the trekking race at Manali that love is not good for his health(the scene was shot in Kashmir, not Manali).  There is a pillow fighting scene between Ranbir and his friend Aditya Roy Kapoor, the guy with two surnames(reminds me of Aishwara Rai Bachchan). That scene left me totally confused as it is neither serious nor funny. This kid with two surnames is actually a good actor with really good expressions but looks like he has carried forward his alcohol abuser character from where he had left in Aashiqui 2.
We all know that Deepika Padukone is not a great actor but is she supposed to look that unattractive?, but thanks to that Lara babe who amply serves the oomph factor.  I think I have seen Deepika’s bespectacled look and her name ‘Naina’ in some other film. Is that Kal Ho Naa something?

Now coming to the quintessential future of Bollywood, RK(Ranbir Kapoor). I never expected such an average performance from such a talented actor. The whole film I kept wondering where’s the RK of the classics Rajneeti, Rockstar and Burfi. The scene where he confesses his love to Deepika, his eyes look as dull as two tiny buttons. It’s the same Ranbir whose eyes emoted such magically in the song Naadan parindey.

Well the only saving grace of the film is Kalki who is a revelation as a hilarious and wild friend (Going by looks, her name in the film should have been ‘Bunny’). The cameos from Farooq Sheikh , Tanvi Azmi and Dolly Ahluwalia are commendable. Even the NRI lady who offers the job to Ranbir is noteworthy. And what was OLD Madhuri Dixit doing in an item number?

The story of the film commences only after you have borne two hours of this film. And the climax with the New Year celebration! Wow. The concept of chasing your dream is appealing but not novel. Whatever, its narrative fails big time.

The songs(except Badtameez Dil) from Pritam are below average. One of the very few positives is its Cinematography, especially the snowy hills of Manali (read as Kashmir).  The background score, well I don’t think there is any. What else can I say?

Ayan Mukherji, Wake Up Kid!
These directors who were the so called assistants of KJ(Karan Johar) have IMO(in my opinion) no real talent. They are hell bent on giving tribute to KJ school of cinema. In fact KJ looks Steven Spielberg in front of them.  They think they have done break through by making rom-coms like, I hate love stories, Break K baad, Anjaana Anjaani, Ek main aur ek tu and now, Yeh Movie hai Deewani (I must confess that Agneepath(a remake!) was a good attempt though).  How long will this continue?  And KJ shamelessly produces these films I don’t know why.  Looks like these films are giving a parallel competition to Salman Khan’s (mindless) movies as to who would fool the audience more. I am sure Yeh Movie Hai Diwaani would go on to join the elite 100 cr club because people are fed up and just want to see a movie, any movie, thanks to the IPL(and the BCCI head who is acting like a headless chicken).

2012 was by far the best year in Bollywood but 2013 is competing with 2002 for the worst year of Bollywood(2002 had only couple of hits). Barring Jolly LLB no film has actually made any sense to me. I admit that Chashme Baddoor, Nautanki Saala and Go Goa Gone were good attempts. Anyway, back to my business in the world of tennis. Rooting for Wawrinka at the French Open.


One more thing, Kunal Roy Kapoor, one more guy with two surnames is not that bad at all in the movie Ye Kahaani Hai Deewani. And Lara ! Wow, she’s full paisa wasool ! Did you notice that Madhuri’s name in the movie is Mohini(from Tezaab?). Shit. Back to French Open. Allezzzz !!