Banner: Eros Entertainment & Illuminati FilmsGenre: Romance
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kaoor, Rahul Khanna & Fagun Thakrar
Music: Pritam Chakraborty, Sulaiman Merchant, Salim Merchan
Cinematography: N Natarajan Subramaniam
Editing: Aarti Bajaj
Story, screenplay - direction: Imtiaz Ali
Producer: Saif Ali Khan & Dinesh Vijan
Release date: 31 July 2009
Rating:
Love Aaj Kal Movie Review
story and Analysis :
A love story that opens with a breakup – that’s quite a ‘twist’ in the treatment. Do not expect too much of novel turns in the tale though. Love Aaj Kal is a been-there-seen-that story of a couple, Jai (Saif Ali Khan) and Meera (Deepika Padukone) who realize true love for each other once they part ways and go their own paths. Just that this couple breaks up to start with and subsequently gets together for an imminent happy end. A parallel plot in a period setting has Veer (Saif, again) being smitten by a pristine Punjabi kudi in a bygone era.
The different perspectives of love in the parallel narratives, beautifully builds a contrast in the tale. The innocence of love from the past era comes across as strikingly divergent to the practicality of romance in the present times. In a pensive line, Rishi Kapoor as the elder Sardar, makes smart sense when he says love made people serious about life in yesteryears while seriousness towards life makes people abandon love in current generation.
The feel of the film is fresh, youthful and light-hearted throughout which is aptly complemented by informal and straight-out-of-life dialogues, peppy musical score and natural performances. Even the breakup between the couple is absolutely casual sans any hard feelings. Especially notable are the instant conversations post the breakup, where the couple liberated of relationship, opens up more warmly. The chemistry between the couple is equally relaxed as love is established with kiss-and-make-up briskness.But somewhere too much abruptness dilutes the conviction of the narrative. While one is habituated to the abrupt emergence of song-and-dance (the Twist track), what is not reasonable is Saif’s sudden distracted demeanour and love-realization in the pre-climax. There are momentary failures in continuity with the screenplay constantly crossing geographical boundaries and covering different timeframes. Certainly the film stretches and drags in its latter reels. While the feel-good factor works in its favour, it also brings in the déjà vu effect from romance flicks ranging from DDLJ to Hum Tum . The lover’s reunion after a yearlong hiatus is evocative of the climax of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna .
Technical Department and Artist performance :
The editing (Aarti Bajaj) and cinematography (N Natarajan Subramaniam) are impressive. But what steals the show is Pritam’s spirited composition and Bosco-Caeser’s grooving choreography in Twist and Aahun Aahun which is amazingly energetic and infectious.
Saif Ali Khan shines with a refreshing natural performance in both his characters. He looks super-cool as Jai and makes for a decent enough Sardar, Veer. He’s esp. outstanding in the pre-marriage confrontation with Deepika. Deepika Padukone puts in an equally compelling act and shares superb chemistry with Saif. Rishi Kapoor is lively. The still-under-wraps second lead (Punjabi girl) is immaculately beautiful.
The recipe of love stories hasn’t changed much over the years. It’s just reworked garnishing that has added to the appeal. Likewise Love Aaj Kal doesn’t promise much newness in its plot but clicks largely for its casual-n-cheerful presentation.
Kal ka wine in Aaj ka bottle!
Final View:
Love Aaj Kal is the movie that threatens to erase the line between Bollywood and world cinema. The movie runs on an interesting screenplay and fine conversations. The main conflict point in this movie is the non-committal nature of the lead pair. The moment they show commitment to each other, the movie gets over. Director Imtiaz Ali came up with an arresting narration to sustain interest throughout the movie. A film of this nature might not appeal to aam aadmi (mango people), but will definitely be liked by multiplex crowds. Love Aaj Kal is definitely worth a watch.
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