Rating: 3/5
Banners: Eros International Media Ltd, Excel Entertainment
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin, Ariadna Cabrol, Naseeruddin Shah, Deepti Naval
Music: Shankar- Ehsaan –Loy
Editor: Anand Subaya
Cinematography: Carlos Catalan
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar
Release Date: July 15, 2011
The magical pair of Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif are pairing up for the first time and they are assisted by the duo of Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol. Let us see how the film is
Story
This is the journey of three friends- Arjun (Hrithik), Imran (Farhan) and Kabir (Abhay) who have a reunion of sorts after few years. While Arjun is more serious and is career oriented with earning money as his objective, he broke up with his girlfriend. Imran is a happy go lucky guy, a writer who has a quirky humour but his desire is to see his father who abandoned him. Kabir is engaged to Natasha (Kalki) and is due to get married.
The reunion happens in Spain and here the trio meets Laila (Katrina). While each individual has their own issues, this reunion holiday also gives them an opportunity to rediscover themselves and come face to face with their fears.
What happens after this holiday forms the rest of the story.
Performances
Hrithik Roshan has come up with a good performance and he has the right kind of looks and the charms. He fits the role of an ambitious professional and carries the role well.
Katrina Kaif was gorgeous as ever and though her role is limited, it is the etching of her character which scores the points.
Farhan Akhtar was the best among the lot. He entertains with his wit, touches the heart with his emotional act and appeals to the ladies with his charms. His multiple talents make him an asset.
Abhay Deol was contained and he delivers when needed. His mature performance and natural screen presence gives him the added advantage.
Kalki Koechlin has nothing special to prove, either in looks or in performance. She is lucky to get an offer in this project. Ariadna Cabrol was attractive, Naseeruddin Shah was intense and strikes a chord with his guest role. The others didn’t have much to offer.
Highlights
- Locations
- Farhan’s performance
- Cinematography
- Narration
- Screenplay
Drawbacks
- Length of the film
- Pace
- Not enough depth in few emotional scenes
- Editing jerks
Analysis
The very feel of the film gives a slight touch with the cult film ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.
However, this time the concept has been packaged in different style and with a varied approach towards life.
As such, there is nothing new the film offers in terms of story and content but then it is the way in which things get narrated and how many of them can connect to it.
As usual, the screenplay is stylish and it has glossy locations, trendy designer outfits etc. The backdrop of Spain and the insight into the country’s culture and its festivals adds the extra spice. The sky diving episode and scuba diving episode was another interesting aspect.
Overall, this is a film which will appeal to the urban and multiplex audience in a big way. If only the film was trimmed in its length, the film would have surely created a blockbuster.
On an emotional note, it is friends and memories stitched in an appealing style. At the box office, above average returns look strong given the hype and star power the openings will be good.
Bottomline: Sensitive and exciting, watch it once
