Luck by Zoya!. Review on Luck By Chance

Ah! One movie i'd been waiting to see. Not because Zoya is directing it, hell no one knew her before the announcement of this film. I wanted to see the oh-so-talented Farhan Akhtar meet his match in the equally oh-so-talented Konkona Sen Sharma. And its no surprise that he's done exceedingly well.

Vikram Jaisingh(Farhan) comes from Delhi to become a big time star in the hindi film industry.Ditto for Sona Mishra(Konkona) from Kanpur, albeit she's been trying her luck for 3 years now in vain.

A rather superstitious producer Rommy Rolly(Rishi Kapoor), with a pretty wife Minty Rolly(Juhi Chawla) wants to give his younger bro Ranjit(Sanjay Kapoor) a chance to direct in India. He ropes in Zaffar Khan(Hritik Roshan), a big star and Nikki Walia(Isha Sharvani), the daughter of yesteryears star actress Neena(Dimple Kapadia). How the lives of all these characters are intertwined to form one hell of an emotional drama which at times is hilarious, is what forms the crux of Luck By Chance.

Farhan Akhtar is easily the best actor of the lot. Infact the entire film is centered around him. He delivers from the word 'go' and is in full too form. Be it his charm, his muscles, his good looks, his ability to move the audience in an emotional scene, his awe-struck expressions when he enters the film industry and starts meeting the biggies.......et all.....he is just too good.

Konkona Sen Sharma is equally competent. She balances out Farhan's character by providing the other side of the picture....a struggler who is trying in desperation for 3 long years. Hritik Roshan is good in a small role. His scene with Karan Johar is worth a mention.

Isha Sharvani was a revelation........man.....she embodies Nikki 'Kapoochi' Walia with utmost conviction. I was pleasantly surprised.....thought she couldn't act.....well i'm glad she proved me wrong. Rishi Kapoor is excellent.....his protrayal of a superstitious, rather hassled producer is very good. Juhi Chawla plays the caring wife really well......specially the scene where Rishi breaks down.

Sanjay Kapoor.....a total zero as he was springs a surprise....he's really funny! Dimple Kapadia is first rate as an old star who wants her daughter in the limelight but still misses the attention she used to get. Watch her scenes with Farhan.....they're too good. Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, both are excellent in their fleeting appearances.

Cinematography is outstanding.......the 'dead sister' scene, the entire song Baawre and even the final scene with Farhan's face on the billboard. Choreography is excellent in 'Baawre', the song shot in the circus.....I bet its difficult managing over 50 artistes in a single frame......specially synchronizing their steps and also ensuring no one bumps into the other. :)

The biggest winner however is the story, screenplay and dialogue. Where most films go for a toss, Luck By Chance goes for a hattrick. The characterisation is extremely believable. And hence a special mention to Nandini Shrikent, the casting director....she's really picked the right person for the right role. Dialogues are extremely well written..

Farhan's praise for Dimple at the party, Farhan's advice to Konkona at the sea shore, Konkona's monologue at the end, the Hritik-Karan scene etc. They're not melodramatic, yet have an impact and seem reasonable for utterances from even normal human beings. In short.....its not overtly filmy lingo(the 'hey bhagwaan' types). :D

Possibly the only glitch in the film is the length of the first hour. Actually its not even the length.....the flow of events is a tad slow.....so, the viewer gets a little bored by the time of the intermission........that is a different thing that post-interval the film gets better with every passing frame. Could've edited the first half a little.

My Verdict: Luck By Chance is a very good film. Surely worth a watch for exceptional screenplay, dialogue and killer performances from any and everyone on screen.......specially Farhan and Konkona.