Love Aaj Kal: Delightful Cinematic Experience. Review on Love Aaj Kal

If you love somebody set it free...if it comes back to you, it was yours...if it doesn't...it never was

I saw this poster at a friend's place many years ago. As I came out after watching Love Aaj Kal, the same thought came back to me, for Imtiaz Ali has beautifully exemplified the same emotion in his wonderful film. It's a film that doesn't try too hard to entertain you and yet keeps you laughing, singing, dancing and leaves a lump-in-the-throat at several junctures. Smart screenplay, wonderful dialogues and terrific acting of both Saif and Deepika makes Love Aaj Kal an endearing cinematic experience.

Jai (Saif) is a cool flirt who wins over Meera's (Deepika) affection-n-kisses. Their London-Bridge romance hits a roadblock as they have to go their separate ways due to career choices. Well, they throw a break-up party and even assist each other in getting partners. Jai is happy about being a 'Khula Saand' once again while Meera doesn't know what she really wants from their relationship. Now, you've seen stories with a similar story line. So, what's new?

It's the treatment that's refreshingly new, innovative and strung together brilliantly. Jai undergoes transformation over a period of time because of the influence of Veer Singh's (Rishi Kapoor) love story for Harleen Kaur (Debutante Giselle Monteiro) set in the dusty lanes near Red Fort of 1960s. Now, the manner in which Jai and Veer's 'Aaj' and 'Kal' ki stories propell forward winking at each other is a fantastic experiment that works beautifully.

The dialogues have a novelty value and are a big highlight of the film. Love is expressed in simple day-to-day expressions rather than long poetic passages. There's a phrase 'Mango People' a literal translation of what we call 'Aam Aadmi' or 'Aam Log' in Hindi and the manner in which Saif says it has to be seen-n-heard to be believed. There are many such gems decorating this film. Humour in the dialogues is good, clean and refreshing.

Another big plus point is the sepia toned 1960s world of Veer Singh and Harleen. The Punjabi earthiness comes across beautifully. Train sequences, in a way remind you of Jab We Met and its clear that the director has a lot of fascination for good old railway stations for he presents them so well. The deft story telling reaches another high in the picturisation of Main Kya Hoon number. It starts off with Jai being on a high since he has finally attained his dreams. But the gradual transformation in his body language from heightened mirth to absolute dejection has been handled magnificently.

Saif will be proud of this film for ever. What Taare Zameen Par is for Aamir or what Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is for Shahrukh, Love Aaj Kal will remain the same for Saif. He has acted effortlessly, looked great and delivered a memorable performance. Some may say why he had to play the younger version of Rishi Kapoor. Well, maybe priviledges of being a producer, one might say. But still, one can't find faults in his Punjabi diction or overall retro style. It's a blemishless performance.

Kareena was talked about big time after Jab We Met. Same will happen with Deepika after Love Aaj Kal. This girl has delivered a power house performance without ever being hyper or going over the top. Be it subtle ched chaad with Saif, poignant instances of distress or moments when she is staring with wide-talkative-eyes, Deepika is an absolute delight. Rishi Kapoor is good as expected though his beard looked sketchy-n-unreal. Giselle Monteiro, the young Harleen looks ethereal and plays her part competently.

Pritam's music is a pleasure. All the tracks have a tremendous value attached to them. Tiwst, Main Kya Hoon, Ye Dooriyan, Aahun Aahun, Chor Baazari, Ajj Din Chadiya...every single track is awesome. Visuals make them even better. N Natarajan Subramaniam's cinematography is easy-on-eyes while Aarti Bajaj's crisp editing earns brownie points. Yes there are portions in the film which tend to be slow but in the overall context the pace is justified.

It rarely happens that a director rises above the huge expectations created by his previous film. Imtiaz Ali manages that unique distinction. He rises above Jab We Met by several notches. The unique mix of sensible artistic cinema smeared with commercial razz-matazz is a difficult combo to achieve but Imtiaz scores big time. Go watch Love Aaj Kal today.

Love Aaj Kal: A delightful cinematic experience