Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin, Katrina Kaif, Naseeruddin Shah, Ariadna Cabrol.

Director: Zoya Khan.

        Zoya is obviously inspired, like many contemporaries with the craft of brother Farhan. His Dil Chahata Hai has been a cult of sorts. While others have been influenced by the style, the sibling is influenced even by the story. Zoya therefore takes on the bonding of three guys, their present in the context of a nostalgia, she too takes three different mindsets and plays them together. If Farhan let the script hang in the emotions of his times (almost a decade ago!). Zoya further contemporises the mind set.

        As the film title suggests – nay screams – it is about life being one time opportunity. It is a Director’s romanticist indulgence. It is a urban, stylised statement. It takes the Farhan K Jo style further. It is more than modern. It is in a way upper crust global. It deals with issues and solutions that is poignantly appealing to the haves – the haves who have a lot.

        The storyline is about three friends who meet up after a long time, go out on a picnic and chance upon introspecting their approach and philosophy of life. “Tempest tossed” emotionally they clutch at what is available and examine the premise. The three guys Kabir (Abhay Deol), Imran (Farhan Akhtar) and Arjun (Hrithik Roshan) had long years ago agreed to go on a long journey as the last bachelor party stud rendezvous. They set out to Spain after Kabir is engaged to Natasha (Kalki Koechlin). While Kabir and Imran are fun loving and oozing camaraderie, the aloof, shrewd, yuppy Arjun needs to be cajoled to keep the tryst. The threesome are required to take up some adventure sport. Arjun rejects the idea till the water sport guide is the attractive Laila (Katrina Kaif). With Arjun smitten by the love bug, Imran habitually flirtatious and Kabir set on the road to matrimony. At this juncture Zoya falters. Before she gets her act together, she is tempted by the locales of Spain. Aided and abetted by the enthusiastic cinematography (Carlos Catalan) she converts the ‘love life tale’ to a ‘visit Spain statement’. You begin to wonder if you are watching some tourism documentary inviting you to adventure sports in Spain.

        Fortunately the cinematographer and the script writer (Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar) decide to assist in the tandem and take the story forward. First Natasha plays the nagging suspicious fiancé, then Arjun plays the romantic. All along Imran has close brushes with a hidden tale and finally the three witness emotive eruptions in the calm of their life.

        Despite their differing approach, the three celebrate life and freedom. In this context Zoya Khan makes an unabashed plea in favour of living life by the moment. Her protagonists may afford the luxury in as much as they can afford the celebration. Rich to a fault, the three have no “common man” problems. The feel, the feelings, the mileu, the philosophy is very urban – rich. Given her style, the characters do not appeal to the Aam Aadmi. In that context, the tale and its nuances are not immediately acceptable by the audience. The association connect is visibly missing. That is a drawback, if not an artistic shortcoming.

        As an occidental person with an Indian connect Katrina gets a near to life role. For once the sex-appeal is under played. This paradoxically works to her advantage. With Kalki she also has the advantage of comparison.

        The three guys bond wonderfully. Their energetic interaction often infuses energy to the script. Abhay gets a wonderful opportunity in a commercial film. I hope at least now he gets noticed by the big league. He is arguably the best Deol of this generation!! Hrithik has a more laboured character. He delivers without much ado. Kudos to this star-actor for accepting this role and executing it without over-reaching his co-stars or the script. This speaks volumes of the man’s confidence in himself. Like Aamir in 3 Idiots he makes his presence felt in accordance with the requirement of the script. Farhan has the meatiest role. His lighter moments display his skills as an actor. The poetic lines reflect his passionate persona. He is wonderful. The three guys make the film watchable.

        Above all, if for nothing, the film is watchable for the lovely literary content contributed by Javed Akhtar. ZMND is about chasing your passions, believing in yourself and assuredly following your own path. Interesting paradigm. Interesting thought.