Another feather in salman's cap! That's the unanimously opinion of those who have seen this flick! Bollywood cinema has witnessed a number of romantic films time and again. Just when you think the genre has nothing new to offer comes KYUNKIwhich takes the viewer completely by surprise.One may say that love story has been done to death in our films. Yes, it has been but never so effectively !
Back to Kyunki ,needless to mention the expectations from film are enourmous....Mainly, Salman Khan and Priyadarshan reunite for the first time . Their combination together alongwith the presence of Kareena Kapoor and Rimi Sen topped with Himmesh Reshammiyas hit music - making it an eagerly awaited film.
Once the promos came out it was clear the film was a remake of the Milos Foreman's One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nestwith Salman playing the role of a mental patient.Does the film live upto the hype it has created? YES!A film that is sure to pull your heart strings.
Those who have seen One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest will know exactly what One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest is about. Priyadarshan has adapted the story to an indian format but the overall plot remains the same. Of course ,the Desi version has plenty of dream songs !
Plot
The film begins in a hospital where Karina Kapoor is working as a pshyciatrist.The hosiptal is running under the supervision of her father [Om Puri].She is one energetic and optimistic doctor whose sole aim is to serve her patient .She does not demand anything in return .She is engaged to Sunil Shetty [from America]who is also a Doctor...
Actual drama takes place when a mental patient [Salman Khan] is admitted there.Salman has some strange habits like he can't tolerate the genre called Insecta!
Jackie Shroff is also working there.He is very protective about Salman...That's so because Salman's father was the person who gave him enough finance to complete his medicinal career...
Initially ,Karina treats Salman as just another patient .But eventually She realises this one is special in more way than one!That too after reading a diary that reveals the past of Salman...the story in diary goes something like this...
Rimi Sen is working in a church as a nun far away in the lands of Romania.She believes in the motto of Humanity...Her life changes when she meets Salamn....She does not care damn about him [initially]..But its Bollywood you Know..So she has to fall in love with him! But Destiny has something in store for both of them ...She dies accidently [in a swimming pool -that too in wedding night]due to a mistake on Salman's part!
Back to the present.....
Karina is moved by this chapter of Salman's life...She wants to cure Salman at any cost ...Only to fall in love with him...With love and affection that he gets from Karina ,Salman is totally fit now!
But love is a crime in this cruel word...Om Puri is just not ready to accept this relation ....How could he? Karina is a Doctor and Salman an ordinary patient..!
Finally ,Salman is killed [thanks to the conspiracy led by Om Puri] ....But for every action there is equal and opposite reaction ...For a change ,Om Puri is a doctor NOW who is treating Karina [ who is a mental patient !].Drama ends!
As a director this is Priyadarshan's finest effort to date. Known for his brainless entertainers [Hulchul ,Hera Pheri ,Hungama]Priyan makes a true film from the heart and the effort shows in every frame.Priyan takes credit as writer but it is Priyan the director who wins in the end.
A bit too over dramatic in some times-for the most he succeeds in creating a touching impact. Yet, it cannot be denied that Priyadarshan deserves full marks for deviating from the run-of-the-mill trend .Unlike in other films where the hero is frantically chasing the heroine or vice versa, here destiny is playing its games!
The movies major USP of film are performances and the manner in which the drama has been handled. There are scene [in the first half] where the viewer genuinely feels for Salman's character .For examples
1.The sequence where he is given electric Shock and the waves of vibrations that run in his mind ...
2.The physical training [P.T] portions in the very beginning!
3.The scene where Karina slaps Salman and calls him 'a pagal!'
4.The verbal argument that ensues between Jackie Shroff and om Puri regarding the case of Salman...
5.The death of Rimi Sen[interval point] -perhaps the most touching and moving part of the whole film!
But the graph of the film takes an about turn in the post-interval portions. For, in the second half, the story does not move at all. It remains the same as in case of pre-interval ....What follows are dream songs for no reasons whatsoever....
Even the PRE- climax is not that impactful ...Salman lying unconcious [where he is killed by Jackie] is just another case of hurried job!
Another drawback is the hospital atmosphere projected in the film. There is no denying that it gives the film a new look in terms of colors used and language spoken, but the environment of hospital looks monotonous after a point!
But climax is what makes the difference!It melts your heart and how!
kYUNKI belongs to Salman Khan completely.He delivers what is arguable the best performance of his entire career! He proves that he is a versatile actor[not a mere good looking one!] and goes through his difficult part with admirable ease and emerges trumps for the most. Getting right into the skin of mental character and delivering a polished and controlled performance is an arduous task..But Salman has done it!.
Karina Kapoor delivers the second best performance of her 5 years career here(arguably the best is Dev!). The vunerability in her eyes,the subtle comic scenes to the emotional scenes- Karina shows a vast improvement from her previous films and seems like she has put a huge effort into her performance here which is surprise change after some bland performances in Bewafaa and Fida . Just witness the inncocence in her eyes when she realises she has fallen in love with Salman.Her chemistry with Salman is fantastic and the two make a lovely couple onscreen. Not to mention ,She looks absolutely stunningly throughout the entire movie.
But it's Rimi Sen's performance that's a revelation. For an actress to leave a mark in such a short role is easier said than done. But Rimi catches you unaware with her performance .
Om Puri gives a brilliant performance . He is truly spectacular in all the scenes and performs them with utmost conviction and looks the part he plays.You cant help but hate this cruel men [ aka father] .Look at his expression where is beaten badly by Salman[pre-climax]-terrific!
Jackie Shroff is also brilliant!Sunil Shetty has an insignificant role and he has been wasted. It's really surprising that he chose to be seen in such an insignificant role.
Musically the film is excellent although one feels that there are too many songs at times which don't fit in with the movies story. Dil Ke Badle ,Title Track and Dil Keh Raha are the pick of lot. The 2 different versions of title track are well picturised .
Technically the film is superb and lavish. Cinematography is glossy and slick and the entire film looks like a fresh product.Camerawork is slick and captures all the scenes with elan from cold mountains of Romania to dense jungle of Ooty!.
In Short,Kyunki is a daring attempt by director Priyadarshan who has contradicted Bollywood's formula with a climax that defies stereotype!Its a film that will haunt you for long time....highly recommended !
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