Jun 02, 2013 10:16 AM
4550 Views
(Updated Jun 02, 2013 10:32 AM)
A predicament faced by millions across the world is struggling to be in touch with old buddies. Circumstances compel many of them to not be able to meet their friends, even if residing in same city, for years altogether. This and many other relocatable issues are touched upon by Ayan Mukerji in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani which also turns out to a significant plus factor of the film. However, the film drags at places and fails to provide an exhilarating feeling in the second half, until the finale.
The story of the movie: Naina (Deepika Padukone) takes the biggest risk of her life when she teams up with her school batch mates – Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor), Avi (Aditya Roy Kapoor) and Aditi (Kalki Koechlin) for a trek in the Himalayas. It turns out to be a life-altering experience for her as she makes new friends, discovers a whole new side to her and falls in love too. Years later, when the foursome meet again after one of their own decides to tie the knot, old feelings come alive once again and so does the old wounds.
There have been some brilliant films made on friendship and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani could have been in that league if the loose ends were taken care of. Except Naina meeting Aditi in the supermarket, the beginning portions are lackluster (including Madhuri Dixit’s Ghagra song and Aditya Roy Kapoor’s intro sequence). Fun begins when Aditi and Bunny board the train. From here till the intermission point, it’s a fun entertaining ride as the four friends embark on a satisfying trip. The second half commences beautifully but it’s at this juncture that the film begins to drag. Initially, one doesn’t mind but after a point, one wishes that something interesting happens in the film and that too soon.
Although, one is able to relate with the characters of Naina and Aditi, one fails to empathize with Bunny (at places) and Avi (entirely). Hence, the sequence where Bunny goes back home fails to cut ice. Thankfully, the film picks up dramatically in the climax and ends on a beautiful note. Also, as aforementioned, several sequences like characters traveling by a train, Naina trying to find out what the ‘ladkewaale’ are upto for the sangeet, friends getting upset when one of them is going to leave them for higher studies, making a list of places of interest in a tourist destination, feeling dejected (not dramatically) when the person when you love fails to reciprocate your feelings etc. make the goings-on close real, grounded and creatable.
Ranbir Kapoor, as expected, puts his best foot forward despite the execution letting down his character at places. Although not as good as Barfi and Rockstar, he plays his character with sincerity and raises tons of laughs with his antics at places. Deepika Padukone looks stunning and surprisingly speaks very less throughout the film and conveys with her eyes and smile. She gets her nerd act absolutely correct as well. Kalki Koechlin is terrific and in many ways, her best performance till date. The character gives her a great chance to display her histrionics and she does it so well. Kudos! Aditya Roy Kapoor charms with his performances, but only at places. He failed to seem convincing in some scenes unfortunately. Evelyn Sharma essays her character of bimbo with finesse. Kunaal Roy Kapur (Taran) is funny and adorable too. Poorna Jagannathan (Riyana) shines in her lone sequence. Farooq Sheikh (Bunny’s father) is lovable in his cute performance. Dolly Ahluwalia (Naina’s mother) fails to make an impact in her cameo. Tanvi Azmi and Rana Daggubati were okay. Madhuri Dixit looks gorgeous.
Pritam’s music is brilliant and songs are well-shot because of which one doesn’t mind so many songs too. Subhanallah, Ilahi, Kabira are soulful while Balam Pichkari and Badtameez Dil are energetic and exciting. Ghagra and Dilliwaali Girlfriend somehow fail to create the desired impact. Pritam also provides background score which was neatly woven in the narrative. V Manikandan’s cinematography is outstanding, especially in the trekking scenes. The Himalayan ranges are stunningly captured by the lens man. Costumes, sets and production values are grand. Ayan Mukerji’s story had meat but somewhere the film faltered at the script and direction level. The long length and that some major characters fail to arouse empathy from audiences is the biggest drawback. After an outstanding film like Wake Up Sid, one surely expected a lot from Ayan. Hope he gets his act completely right in his next!
Some of the best scenes of the film:
Naina meets Aditi in the supermarket
The four friends in the train
Bunny and Naina race to reach first
Bunny on why Naina is ‘cool’
The songs Subhanallah, Kabira, Ilahi, Balam Pichkari, Badtameez Dil
The chase sequence in Manali
Bunny and Naina on their way to the ‘haunted peak’
The intermission point
Bunny and Naina spy on the ‘ladkewaale’
Bunny and Naina go for Udaipur sightseeing
The climax
On the whole, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a fun touching tale on love and relationships.
The stretched narrative and lack of empathy for certain significant characters are its biggest drawback.
And this could had been avoidable since the film has so many pluses – great performances, impressive songs, captivating cinematography, touching finale and some fun, sweet and treatable moments.
It’s a blockbuster at the box office commercially but it’s just worth watching once!
