Dec 12, 2008 04:18 PM
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(Updated Dec 12, 2008 04:32 PM)
Shahrukh Khan+ Aditya Chopra= A combination that cannot go wrong. But is this combination poised to be third time lucky too? The short answer is yes. More than ten years after their first outing with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge and then Mohabbatein, it is good to see that the magic hasn't faded. The director hasn't lost his touch and nor has the actor. For all Shahrukh Khan fans, this movie is the be-all-and-end-all about their idol. It's definitely his movie all the way and the 40+ actor still moves, emotes and dances just as he did all those years ago.
The first thing that will strike you about the movie is its plot. An intriguing plot, but told so palatably that you get convinced. Yes, there will be critics in tomorrow's papers and among the viewers that how can a wife not recognize her husband when he comes to her sans moustache so much so that she falls in love with his other avatar and even plans to elope with him, but you can trust Aditya Chopra to bring even such an implausible plot to fruition. Do not go by what people comment about the plot – let that not take away from the experience. There are several other things in the movie that become a must watch. The strangeness of the plot strikes only for the first few instants, but then you are so engrossed in the movie that you simply don't think about it anymore.
But you have to give it to Aditya Chopra. If there is anyone who could make such an engrossing movie with such a plot, it is him. And he has done it beautifully.
It is Shahrukh Khan's movie all the way. If the'Main nahin jaanta kal kya honewala hai' monolog from DDLJ choked you up, you will be sitting with a tissue for most of the scenes here. Especially pre-intermission, there are several scenes where Shahrukh Khan almost speaks to himself. It is in these moments that you understand why this guy is a superstar today. Even if Shahrukh Khan weren't a complete person, but only had his eyes and nothing more, they would act better than most of the actors we have today. You see this clearly in RNBDJ.
Most importantly, there are two Shahrukh Khans in the movie. One is the geeky nerdy kind who knows nothing more than his work and his simple life that runs on a timetable. The other is the breezy kind we saw in the first half of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. It is not a new concept to watch the same actor play diametrically opposite personalities in Hindi movies, but Shahrukh Khan does it with gusto.
The movie breaks paths in many respects. Think about it, the movie has just three main characters – Surinder Sahani(Shahrukh Khan), Taani(Anushka Sharma) and Bobby Khosla(Vinay Pathak). Of course, there's Raj Kapoor(the other Shahrukh Khan), but you cannot really call that a different character. It is a cinematic achievement to keep the viewer hooked with just three main characters. The selection of characters is so apt that you are only busy following the story; you don't even think of getting bored. And yes, Vinay Pathak must have lost about 50 kg for this role;)
It is Anushka Sharma's debut and it would be unfair not to speak about her. Here is an actress in the Tabu mould. Tabu could fit in any kind of role and so does Anushka Sharma seem to be. In RNBDJ she looks an exact typical Amritsari kudi what she is meant to be. She dresses like one, speaks like one, dances like one, even carries herself like one. It is good to see a debutante actress fit so well into a role and practically carry a whole film on her shoulders.
Another aspect of the movie that needs mention is the music(Salim Sulaiman). The songs are extremely well picturized. If some of you hated the songs on hearing them or in the promos, check them out in the film. They look wonderful. The lyrics are some of the best we have heard in recent times – specially listen to the complete lyrics of Dance Pe Chance.
The movie is not the haa-haa-hoo-hoo kind of comedy as most people feel. It belongs to a very different genre. It is one of those movies which everyone will take differently. It could be a breezy entertainer for some, a drama for others and a bittersweet love story for most. It is one of those movies you cannot predict anything about without watching.
There are enough scenes that will leave a lump in your throat. The several instances where Shahrukh Khan is fighting with himself, within himself, are marvelous. A scene with a manikin in a hair salon is of particular note.
The movie is an ode to Amritsar. It does not move out of the Golden Temple City and Harminder Sahib is a mute character within the film. The best part is that Aditya Chopra has not tried to clean and doll up Amritsari streets for the shooting. He has kept them as they are – crowded, dusty, sweltering hot, etc. That adds to the movie's charm in great measure.
Watch the film. Do not miss this completely different movie where everyone, right from the director to the actors to the lyrics writer to the editor, has really given a thought. This is a rare movie that has been made from the brain and from the heart. Go along with the person you love the most and there will certainly be a lot of things to take home from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
