The lead pair can make a film. They
can lift the narrative and give it that texture that makes up for the lack of
punch and focus. This Mani Ratnam – Shaad Ali combo does exactly that. The
creative back up fails to take off. The glossy urbane film that deals with
emotions denominated largely by contemporaneity has two people who are focused
about tomorrow and would not want to be stalled by a relationship. They however
cannot resist the temptation.
Adi (Aditya) and Tara (Shardaha) have globally different milestones. She is the
sales and marketing person looking for a career in Europe, he the dollar
chaser. He comes to stay with an ageing couple Gopi (Naseerudin Shah) and his
Alzheimer suffering wife Charulata (Leela Samson). The young couple decide to
stay together and have a live-in relationship. While both steadily hypnotise
themselves into the belief that it is only a relationship and not a budding
romance they predictably get attracted and cannot live without one another.
Interestingly the I World problem of career choices and richness of life does
not ring a familiar bell and the audience can hardly empathise with the
cultural space the protagonists etch for themselves. The ageing couple are the
inspiration and the climax is more about them than the young couple who suddenly
cannot live without one another and when they career dreams seem happening they
have to choose between career and personal life.
While Leela Samson gives the film grace, and does not go wrong at any given
point of time. Naseer is vintage and can remind you yet again what even a few
minutes can do when the actor is Naseer. Shraddha started off in compare with
Aliya and will continue the paradigm. She sure gives the film its moments but
you do feel there are times when she lacks the exuberance that Alia has or
Anushaka. In terms of acting the film belongs and surely to Aditya. He is a
heady mix of the vulnerability of Akshay, the grace of Farhaan the magic of
Ranbhir and the fizz of Shahid. He is so genuine and warm in the film. Remember
in Aashiqui he was lost and dazed. This time is oozing charm and his sense of
timing in the lighter scenes warrants special mention.
Yet another highlight of the film is the awesome music of AR Rahman. In a combo
with Gulzar he presents some winsome classical backdrop. Do not miss the Sri
ragam and the Sudha Dhanyasi. He then picks Raag Behag (Sun Bhavra) and Darbari
Kanada (Saaja Aiyo) and tells you that there is more to contemporary music than
the Sufi school. He does not go overboard and sticks to basics and ensures that
melody is not lost to rhythm.
Predictably from the Karan Johar stable this feel-good film is exactly that.
The lead pair add to the credibility quotient and if for nothing watch the film
for some subtle moments that are trademark Naseer and for the endearing loveable
presence and performance of the new and under rated Kapoor – Aditya.
Rating: 3 Stars
+ Aditya Roy Kapoor
– Lacks punch.
L. Ravichander.