Dec 02, 2003 12:37 PM
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(Updated Dec 02, 2003 12:37 PM)
There have been lots of reviews of this movie, but, I a being the craziest Shahrukh fan, couldn’t stop myself from writing one.
To tell the truth, I opted to watch this movie only for SRK --- I don’t miss any movie of his. I expected KHNH, the third Johar-SRK flick to be filled with unnecessary emotions and a blood heaving death, but thankfully, it wasn’t that bad. It was much better than Johar’s first two offerings, KKHH and K3G.
To put the story in a nutshell( which most of you would be knowing by now), it starts with Naina Catherine Kapoor( Preity), introducing herself and her family over a morning jog. Naina’s is a dysfunctional family( a surprising ‘twist’ in Johar’s script which always has the picture-perfect families), complete with a catholic mom, punjabi ‘dadi’, a physically challenged younger brother and a sister. (forgot to mention that the movie’s based in US to give it the NRI feel). Naina’s mom runs an unsuccessful restaurant which puts the family in financial crisis. To add to their woes, the mom-in-law and daughter-in-law keep quarrelling, mind it, this is no ordinary ‘Kyunki saas Bhi…’ kind of quarrel, but one which portrays real hatred. Also, dadi hates the youngest daughter since she’s adopted. In addition, the memories of a father who had committed suicide is enough for Naina to become grumpy, sad and full of hatred towards anything in life and much older than her 23 yr old self. Also, she has a friend Rohit( Saif), who is happy-go-luckly, funny and always in search of a girlfriend.
Enter the Badshah --- SRK, the guardian angel of the Kapoors who comes as their neighbour. Cool, funny, happy and any other adjective that’s good can describe SRK’s character --- Aman( yes --- shahrukh did get out of the ‘Raj/Rahul’ mode). He keeps barging into other’s affairs, doesn’t know what formalities are and lives life like there is no next moment. He woos everyone in sight and the entire Kapoor household is impressed by him. Hey, also he converts grumpy Naina to normal Naina who suddenly realises what it is to live and laugh. But, as all good things are shortlived, here we see that Aman is a heart-patient who’s days are numbered. That doesn’t discourage him one bit. He helps in improving the Kapoor’s restaurant, he makes ‘dadi’ like Gia, he helps Naina’s friend Sweetu get a boy friend, but the best of all, he plays cupid to Naina and Rohit and succeeds in the same. Ultimately, the story ends with an older Naina Catherine Kapoor Patel recounting the story of her first love.
Agreed --- the movie has it’s bits of Johar’s totally dumb and unnecessary sidetracks. Like, the dadi who sings every morning, the Chadda uncle who hits on dadi, Rohit’s loud Gujarati parents etc. These are passable, since they don’t affect the progress of the story much. As, for the music, it is great. But, no Johar movie is complete, without a Shaadi song, but basically, there is not much insertion of songs.
About the actors, Preity’s pretty, cute and beautiful. She plays the boring Naina as well as the bubbly Naina. She looks and acts beautifully. Saif --- what can I say about him?!!! He’s great. There is nothing one needs to tell about this guy, since he fits the chracter to the T. He plays the funny, despo guy in the movie and without him the comic element would be missing. He shows the transition from a friend to a lover is very well. About Shahrukh --- what is there to say. He’s just too good. He is so vibrant and his energy is clearly visible onscreen. Right from his introduction , SRK is seen in almost every scene and is wonderful. He carries his role amazingly well. The onscreen chemistry between the two Khans is great and even better than the chemistry between Priety with either of them.
Jaya Bachchan as the troubled mom( of Naina’s), is very good. She emotes very well and shows the problems of a confused mom, not able to handle her household well and not able to meet with the financial burden excellently. Sushma Seth is good as the grandma. Rima as SRK’s mom, gives the subtle portrayal of a sorrowful, but, understanding mom. Satish Shah and Ketaki Davey as Saif's parents are the usual self. Surprise, surprise, the movie also has Sonali Bendre and Sanjay Kapoor in cameos. Also, Rani Mukerjee and Kajol are the elements of ‘luck’ in the film.
On the whole, I think Nikhil Advani has done a much better job than Karan Johar could have done. It has it’s own share of melodrama which includes ‘Is dil ne dil se pehli baar kisi ko chah hai’ ( that does sound dumb eh????), but still, it is worth a watch, since no indian love story can be made without the absolutely essential element – tears! But, Advani has avoided lots of unnecessary drama which, otherwise, is the order of the day for a Johar movie. He has shown a dying man in a very delicate manner.
But, I read in lots of reviews, that there is a surprising ‘twist’ in the second half and am still figuring out what it is, if anyone knows, please tell me.
In spite of all it’s ‘Karan Johar’ shortcomings, KHNH is a good entertainer and a treat for all SRK and Saif fans. For all the non-fans, watch it, it’ll definitely make you like all three of them( that includes Priety).
