Nov 24, 2006 01:27 PM
9815 Views
(Updated Jul 29, 2007 03:12 PM)
The belief is that if twenty five percent grammar in a sentence is correct, the message in the sentence can reach the listener. I think the same can be applied to any show. Even if , twenty five percent sincerity is shown by the makers it will be definitely liked by the audience. May be that is why LRL is liked by majority of the audiences as the makers are at least sixty percent sincere in their effort. They did take some liberties but they can be excused as they are not making documentary on a Military Academy. First of all their choice of story needs appreciation as it is refreshingly different from the usual meaningless and irritating Saas Bahu sagas, which are churned out endlessly by Ekta Kapoor. The story which is simple yet interesting, is the journey(as the makers say ) of six youngsters Naina, Huda, Alekh, Yudi, Pooja and Ali, is the one, where viewers also enjoy traveling along with them.
Among the six characters, the characters of Naina, Alekh, Pooja and Ali are well etched and are essayed perfectly by Priyanka Bassi, Arjun Bijlani, Gazal Rai and Harshad Chopra respectively. But according to me it is Vikas Manaktala and Kunal Kapoor who are doing fantastic job as Huda and Yudi respectively. Unlike their counter parts they do not have author backed roles, Yudi may be a loser every where but Kunal wins your hearts. He donned a female get up very convincingly with out looking vulgar. Vikas as Huda has shown different emotions first as a big flirt slapped easily by females, prankster and bull making life miserable for Naina, next as a sincere lover in love with Naina from head over heels, going to the extent of staking his life for her, then as a wronged youth repenting for his misdeeds, he has shown all emotions with ease.
These youngsters are supported well by their faculty. Veteran, Puneet Issar as Brig. Chandok plays his part effortlessly. Similarly, Deepraz Rana as Major Nair, Aprna Tilak as Dr. Shalini, Sanjeev Mehra as Suriji and Priya Arya as Lolita Sen add color to the show. But again it is Rajeev Kandelwal as Captain Rajveer, Shweta Salve as Dr. Ritu and Raju Khera as Major Bhargava who need a special mention. Rajeev as a mentor and guide to the students is playing his complete white character ( may be with gray past) to the perfection. Shweta Salve is excellent as Dr. Ritu with her mysterious eyes and controlled face expressions, always leaving room for suspicion. The inclusion of Raju Khera is a welcome change. Like I read in one of the previous reviews, his entry makes the academy look like the one related to Military. Otherwise it was very disheartening to see the cadets always having sandwiches, coffee and munching chips for breakfast.
The much needed glamour is added by Rajeev, Vikas and Shweta and comic relief is provided by the characters Yudi, Huda, Pooja and Suriji. The director is supported ably by his team of writers who in spite of having some loose ends are trying to make the show interesting, Like in the plot, Rajveer etches to bring Naina from Nainital, It is not very clear what his actual expectation in sending the fake marriage party with Huda as groom to Naina' house as no parents get their daughters married off with out checking all details of the groom. But the entire episode of conducting interviews for prospect groom and cadets specially Yudi's over action at Naina's place is very hilarious. All the scenes between Naina and Huda are very well weaved.
As Kandelwal still has Sujal's image to his credit, LRL can boast of the 'stars' it has produced in the short span of time. The nomination of Vikas and Arjun to this years IT awards in 'Fresh male face' category is indication to this.
The only aspect which looks repetitive and some times boring is too much of focus on Naina's issues and the scenes between Rajveer and Naina. It is high time director paid attention to other cadets like Huda ( even though he is shown as over smart guy there is no convincing reason that how he mistook terrorists for Indian Intelligence guys and also It is very difficult to believe that the terrorists for whom he was working leave him so easily when he stopped working for them), Pooja (it is not known whether Rohit exists or not) and Alekh (why he is sent to prison should be explored). By dwelling into all these things I am sure the makers will keep up the good work and continue entertaining us.
