Are you ready to fall in love with the 'very concept of love'? If yes, then 'Love Aaj Kal' is surely the movie for you! The best part of this romantic flick is that unlike the run-of-the-mills Bollywood love sagas, this one’s completely in sync with the modern Indian society and that’s because the director has taken a more realistic approach in this film.
After Jab We Met, the expectations were very high from Imtiyaz Ali – the director. And he’s back with a bang to prove his caliber.
After Jab We Met, the expectations were very high from Imtiyaz Ali – the director. And he’s back with a bang to prove his caliber.
With LOVE AAJ KAL, Imtiyaz tries very hard to make the youth believe that feeling of love will never ever vanish from this world - with time it will only change its forms. He sincerely presents the complexities felt by the young couples from the current generation.
It's a story of a couple you'd find anywhere: the kind that breaks-up and regrets, then makes-up and regrets, then gets involved with other partners and... regrets. They're confident, sweet, confused people who think they've got it all figured out, and are crushingly told by life's turns & trials that relationships aren't always that predictable.
Saif falls for Deepika, they go around, they break up, and a sad song – did anyone expected such an opening – but yes these are just the first 10 minutes of the movie which sets a thought racing in viewer's mind that it will be a fast paced movie. And it proves to be true in the first half.
But the second half (I don’t know why this has become a regular problem with all the films), drags too much towards the end. Even trimming wouldn’t have helped because there are mild twist and turns in this portion. While the easy pace of the film works for the theme, it often tends to get slow.
LOVE AAJ KAL is an out and out Saif Ali Khan movie – maybe because he is also the producer – you are made to see Saif, Saif and only Saif throughout the movie, in almost every frame! He plays a double role which may be one of the reason – but guys if you are his fan you will simply take him over your head, and if are not, you will become one.
Jai’s character seems to be tailor made for Saif – gives him an opportunity to play a confused, a bit idiot kind of a guy which he did with perfection in most of his films.
Saif also portrays Veer Singh – a cute sardar – even though Saif's Punjabi is not very authentic. You can often sense the metrosexual Saif wanting to break out of the turban. However it's in the emotional sequences towards the end, where you realize how much he has matured over the years.
LOVE AAJ KAL comprises of two stories - of Jai & Meera, Veer Singh & Harleen Kaur, set in two different eras - the former being set in 2009 and latter in 1965. Having similar ends, the stories run parallel to each other, making the audience take some time to grasp the plot.
Imtiaz Ali's tale of love is a light hearted and refreshing to watch. He uses a clever, non-linear edit pattern to draw parallels between the two stories. The smart one-liners and life-like situations elegantly contribute to take the story forward. Imtiaz Ali's dialogues are once again straight out of everyday conversations.
Saif, nearing 40, plays a 20-something character and admittedly looks older. Yet, he makes up with a fabulous performance. To an extent, he's reprising the roles he's already played in Hum Tum, Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam Namaste, but Jai in LOVE AAJ KAL is far more substance.
Deepika Padukone delivers a surprisingly effortless performance. But sometimes when she delivers dialogues, it doesn’t seem natural, she appears too much rehearsed – she seems to be holding herself in the freaking out scenes (like the drunken act).
Rishi Kapoor is spontaneous and lively as the romantic Sardar. He appears impressively super cool and also lends tremendous dignity to his character. He 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.
It's a story of a couple you'd find anywhere: the kind that breaks-up and regrets, then makes-up and regrets, then gets involved with other partners and... regrets. They're confident, sweet, confused people who think they've got it all figured out, and are crushingly told by life's turns & trials that relationships aren't always that predictable.
Saif falls for Deepika, they go around, they break up, and a sad song – did anyone expected such an opening – but yes these are just the first 10 minutes of the movie which sets a thought racing in viewer's mind that it will be a fast paced movie. And it proves to be true in the first half.
But the second half (I don’t know why this has become a regular problem with all the films), drags too much towards the end. Even trimming wouldn’t have helped because there are mild twist and turns in this portion. While the easy pace of the film works for the theme, it often tends to get slow.
LOVE AAJ KAL is an out and out Saif Ali Khan movie – maybe because he is also the producer – you are made to see Saif, Saif and only Saif throughout the movie, in almost every frame! He plays a double role which may be one of the reason – but guys if you are his fan you will simply take him over your head, and if are not, you will become one.
Jai’s character seems to be tailor made for Saif – gives him an opportunity to play a confused, a bit idiot kind of a guy which he did with perfection in most of his films.
Saif also portrays Veer Singh – a cute sardar – even though Saif's Punjabi is not very authentic. You can often sense the metrosexual Saif wanting to break out of the turban. However it's in the emotional sequences towards the end, where you realize how much he has matured over the years.
LOVE AAJ KAL comprises of two stories - of Jai & Meera, Veer Singh & Harleen Kaur, set in two different eras - the former being set in 2009 and latter in 1965. Having similar ends, the stories run parallel to each other, making the audience take some time to grasp the plot.
Imtiaz Ali's tale of love is a light hearted and refreshing to watch. He uses a clever, non-linear edit pattern to draw parallels between the two stories. The smart one-liners and life-like situations elegantly contribute to take the story forward. Imtiaz Ali's dialogues are once again straight out of everyday conversations.
Saif, nearing 40, plays a 20-something character and admittedly looks older. Yet, he makes up with a fabulous performance. To an extent, he's reprising the roles he's already played in Hum Tum, Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam Namaste, but Jai in LOVE AAJ KAL is far more substance.
Deepika Padukone delivers a surprisingly effortless performance. But sometimes when she delivers dialogues, it doesn’t seem natural, she appears too much rehearsed – she seems to be holding herself in the freaking out scenes (like the drunken act).
Rishi Kapoor is spontaneous and lively as the romantic Sardar. He appears impressively super cool and also lends tremendous dignity to his character. He 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.
Debutante Giselle Monteiro (the mysterious girl) as Harleen Kaur manages to speak volumes just through her expressions.
Rahul Khanna in a special appearance is good and suits the character perfectly well.
Watching Neetu Singh Kapoor in the climax sequence is truly astonishing. She's so graceful – a treat for the eyes.
The music of LOVE AAJ KAL is amongst Pritam's most accomplished works. 'Twist' [already a rage], 'Aahun Aahun'[foot-taping] - sung by Shaukat Ali from Pakistan, 'Chor Bazaari' [melodious] and 'Dooriyaan' [melancholic], each song is a gem. All the songs have been shot & choreographed energetically. Cinematography and Art Direction is impressive as it captures both the eras of 1965 and 2009 with a creative touch. Editing is fast and crisp merging both the love stories innovatively.
The movie also scores on its astonishing locations. You can catch a glimpse of the picturesque beauty of London and San Francisco mainly in the first half. The second half would make you feel at home, through its scenes shot at the streets of 'saddi Dilli'!
LOVE AAJ KAL is not perfect. But in one of Bollywood's dullest years, this one comes as a refreshing ray of hope. It's bound to bring a smile on your face. Here's a film with both head and heart. It entertains in parts but ends up with a routine kind of drama towards its climax, leaving a mixed kind of impact on the viewer. The plot clicks largely for its casual-n-cheerful presentation.
It is a film for both who are in love and off it.
RATING : 3 / 5
Running Time : 125 minutes
Reviewed by Ashish Gharde This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
You can skip the following portion of the review if you are planning to watch the movie.
Studying in London, Jai (Saif) and Meera (Deepika) are in a relationship for two years but when career beckons, they mutually break off their relationship. Meera prepares to go to India to pursue her career in old historical places restorations whereas Jai waits in London with a hope of getting his dream job in San Fransico’s Golden Gate Co. The couple though broken off decides to keep in touch via net and phone calls and continue to remain friends. Restaurant owner Veer Singh (Rishi Kapoor) is a silent observer to their break up process since it happens in his restaurant. Unable to bear the far too casual approach related to affairs of heart of the couple, he tries to convince a reluctant Jai that he is making a mistake. Sensing that Jai is not taking him seriously, Veer then starts narrating him his own love story with Harleen Kaur (Giselle Monteiro) which took place far back in 1965 in Delhi. From then on begins the unfolding of these two love stories running parallel together which incidentally end up with a similar culmination after many twists and turns which also are similar despite the different period zones.
Smruti Cinema Residency Road Sadar, Nagpur
12:30 3:30 6:30 9:30pm
Big Cinemas: Sangam Nagpur
12:15 3:15 6:15 9:15pm
Cinemax: Eternity Mall Nagpur
8:00 9:15 10:30 11:45am 1:00 2:15 3:30 4:45 6:00 7:15 8:30 9:45 11:00pm
Panchsheel Nagpur
12:30 3:30 6:30 9:30pm
Cast:
Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi & Neetu Kapoor, Rahul Khanna and Giselle Monteiro
Crew
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Producer: Dinesh Vijan, Saif Ali Khan
Cinematographer: N. Nataraja Subramaniam
Publicity Designer: Himanshu Nanda, Rahul Nanda
Story Writer: Imtiaz Ali
Costume Designer: Anaita Shroff Adajania, Dolly Ahluwalia
Sound Designer: Dilip Subramaniam
Banner: Eros International & Illuminati Films
Music Director: Pritam
Playback Singer: Neeraj Shridhar, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mohit Chauhan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Kay KayBackground Sound: Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant
Lyricist: Irshad Kamil
Music Company: Eros Music
Rahul Khanna in a special appearance is good and suits the character perfectly well.
Watching Neetu Singh Kapoor in the climax sequence is truly astonishing. She's so graceful – a treat for the eyes.
The music of LOVE AAJ KAL is amongst Pritam's most accomplished works. 'Twist' [already a rage], 'Aahun Aahun'[foot-taping] - sung by Shaukat Ali from Pakistan, 'Chor Bazaari' [melodious] and 'Dooriyaan' [melancholic], each song is a gem. All the songs have been shot & choreographed energetically. Cinematography and Art Direction is impressive as it captures both the eras of 1965 and 2009 with a creative touch. Editing is fast and crisp merging both the love stories innovatively.
The movie also scores on its astonishing locations. You can catch a glimpse of the picturesque beauty of London and San Francisco mainly in the first half. The second half would make you feel at home, through its scenes shot at the streets of 'saddi Dilli'!
LOVE AAJ KAL is not perfect. But in one of Bollywood's dullest years, this one comes as a refreshing ray of hope. It's bound to bring a smile on your face. Here's a film with both head and heart. It entertains in parts but ends up with a routine kind of drama towards its climax, leaving a mixed kind of impact on the viewer. The plot clicks largely for its casual-n-cheerful presentation.
It is a film for both who are in love and off it.
RATING : 3 / 5
Running Time : 125 minutes
Reviewed by Ashish Gharde This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
You can skip the following portion of the review if you are planning to watch the movie.
Studying in London, Jai (Saif) and Meera (Deepika) are in a relationship for two years but when career beckons, they mutually break off their relationship. Meera prepares to go to India to pursue her career in old historical places restorations whereas Jai waits in London with a hope of getting his dream job in San Fransico’s Golden Gate Co. The couple though broken off decides to keep in touch via net and phone calls and continue to remain friends. Restaurant owner Veer Singh (Rishi Kapoor) is a silent observer to their break up process since it happens in his restaurant. Unable to bear the far too casual approach related to affairs of heart of the couple, he tries to convince a reluctant Jai that he is making a mistake. Sensing that Jai is not taking him seriously, Veer then starts narrating him his own love story with Harleen Kaur (Giselle Monteiro) which took place far back in 1965 in Delhi. From then on begins the unfolding of these two love stories running parallel together which incidentally end up with a similar culmination after many twists and turns which also are similar despite the different period zones.
Smruti Cinema Residency Road Sadar, Nagpur
12:30 3:30 6:30 9:30pm
Big Cinemas: Sangam Nagpur
12:15 3:15 6:15 9:15pm
Cinemax: Eternity Mall Nagpur
8:00 9:15 10:30 11:45am 1:00 2:15 3:30 4:45 6:00 7:15 8:30 9:45 11:00pm
Panchsheel Nagpur
12:30 3:30 6:30 9:30pm
Cast:
Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi & Neetu Kapoor, Rahul Khanna and Giselle Monteiro
Crew
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Producer: Dinesh Vijan, Saif Ali Khan
Cinematographer: N. Nataraja Subramaniam
Publicity Designer: Himanshu Nanda, Rahul Nanda
Story Writer: Imtiaz Ali
Costume Designer: Anaita Shroff Adajania, Dolly Ahluwalia
Sound Designer: Dilip Subramaniam
Banner: Eros International & Illuminati Films
Music Director: Pritam
Playback Singer: Neeraj Shridhar, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mohit Chauhan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Kay KayBackground Sound: Salim Merchant, Sulaiman Merchant
Lyricist: Irshad Kamil
Music Company: Eros Music
