Sunday, July 17, 2011

One Life, why so serious ?


Why Honda Jazz didn’t sell ? Cause it’s Sales Team said, ‘One Life, why so serious ?‘ Zoya also says the same thing. But interestingly that’s exactly why ‘ZNMD’ works.




" Dilon mein tum apni betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum…
Nazar mein khwaabon ki bijliyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum…

Jo apni aankhon mein hayraniyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum…
Dilon mein tum apni betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum...”

Calling this a review would surely be inappropriate. You will soon realize why.

When plot of this movie started appearing in Wikipedia, I strongly felt : using the ‘Inception’ technology, Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have stolen the idea of a get together from my mind and made a movie over night. Such is the advancement of technology these days !!!

This movie couldn’t have come at a better time. Since last three weeks, I am in the center of all arrangements going on for the 2nd ‘TRUE GET TOGETHER’ of 7 friends to be held on 13th August 2011.

After the terrible shock/disappointment of ‘Delhi Belly’ (1st time in last 10 years, Aamir Khan Productions has disappointed us with an unbelievable ‘slang-is-the-Gen Z formula-for-commercial-success’ film), ZNMD comes as the much needed source of inspiration and holds back our belief in Good cinema. So much so that it led me to write this blog.
Last when did you go on a trip with close friends where you simply eased yourself by returning to the good old childhood days…shared your present problems with friends…listened to their problems..helped solving them….of course apart from miles of tracking, bungee jumping, water rafting, para gliding, mountaineering…or if not anything else simply sitting idle while watching the scenic beauty around ???

Doesn’t sound different ? Dil Chahta Hai, 3 Idiots, RDB, Rock On.. the list is endless. Right. But what makes ‘ZNMD’ different is the unique and refreshing treatment of an extremely simple plot with the visual grandeur of picturesque Spain brought to life by a rock solid star cast who not only live up to expectation but also surprises through their never-seen-before chemistry.
There is no denial in this. ‘Friends are the ones who understand you best’. Its cause, they are the ones with whom you can be yourself..more importantly - Always. ‘ZNMD’, a title creatively derived from the title song of brothers Film ‘ROCK ON’, is a splendid visual treat for people from all walks of life to return to the basic : It’s the journey that matters; not the destination’.

How mysterious and contradictory life is !!! Those who are kids, keep on fantasizing how they will grow old and be like their father/mother. And those who have attained the apex of maturity, want to go back to those curiosity /excitement filled childhood days. After all, what is life without those vigorous/ fun filled aura of friends/friendship ? Blame it on Zoya and Reema (The story writers), if the hilarious ‘Diamond Biscuit' poem , the ‘scary’ pranks, the children like fight and a recall of Doordarshan theme song make you nostalgic and take you back to that ‘na aayegi dobara’ moments of your school/college days.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.’ So true. Breathtaking are the moments for both the audience as well as ‘The Three Musketeers’ who indulge themselves in three extreme adventure sports as a Matter-of-PACT while getting over their phobias; namely scuba diving, sky diving, bull fighting. So captivating are the frames which take the audience to the non-ending depths of sea bed, the feel-like-bird flying experience & the run- for- your- life bull fighting that for a moment you doubt whether the makers would have tried one extra dimension for an added ‘immersive experience’. Carlos Catalan as cinematographer has accomplished sort of Bollywood milestone especially when it comes to shooting the underwater scenes. Also creditworthy is the Art Designer for the famous 'La Tomatina,' which has been re-created perfectly for the song ‘Ek Junoon’.

Any person like me who has grown up in a joint family and loves to organize events, get together will feel like being ON SCREEN for 135 Minutes ( the running length) of ZNMD. Thanks to Kabir, the anchor. And who else can better tell how difficult is to organize get-to of friends at a stage, where everyone has his own priority. In our case (real life), interestingly and unfortunately, Rahul, the very ‘character ‘who conceptualized this year’s get –to is not able to attend it because of his no-time-to breathe schedule in IIML. Work at office, No leave, Family commitment, classes, illness the reasons can range in billions, but the anchor shouldn’t give up. He/She should not only ensure that it happens as planned, but also make sure that everyone enjoys it to its fullest. And to a soon-to-be-married-bachelor, the very thought of missing all the excitements ,fun and pranks scares badly, takes all the smiles away as if they were never there. That too at the expense of marrying to a girl friend who takes the Diamond ring as your proposal not even bothering to think that it can be a gift intended for your mom’s birthday. Abhay,'the first ever non-Angry Deol', has undoubtedly played a Brilliant Kabir. And Kalki Koechlin (Dev D girl)starring opposite to him has also done justice to her role of over protective fiancĂ©e. Their proven chemistry works wonder once again.

Farhan as the soulful, jolly,care free Imraan with his situational poems reminds you of father Javed who has left no-stones-unturned to mesmerize us with his awe-inspiring poetic talent. Imraan is spontaneous. His larger-than- God treatment of a Ladies Bag which he visualizes as a Billion-dollar-lady, his scared-to-death fear for sky diving and the unlikely ‘Hindi’ romance with a ‘Spanish’ girl are moments which make you think that Farhan-the-producer has come out with a flawless Akhtar-the-actor.

Last but not the least it’s THR RETURN of Hrithik– THE ACTOR, which doubles this movie’s ‘Surprise Quotient’. After Kites – The Heights, Guzaarish – The Crisis, its ZNMD- Taarif milegi Dobara. As Farhan/Zoya clearly understand and go by the wise formula : ‘Use Hrithik’s dance talent only if the script demands’. We feel its high time for other film makers to follow suit. The magnificient transformation from an I-breathe-cash stockbroker Arjun to a man who just discovered meaning of life through scuba diving, to a love-struck, caring, emotional friend.. the other perfectionist, for heaven’s sake, returns to his charisma.

Katrina, after completing Nth movie with ‘Tees Maar Khan’, for critics delight, acts instead of worrying about ‘More makes-Ups. And her acting is convincing. Laila, the instructor is well cast and her pairing with Hrithik is certainly a welcome move and a praise worthy attempt by the makers.

A veteran like Naseeruddin Shah is not at an age, where we even think of judging his acting skills or performance. It’s his presence which speaks for itself. Even though for a cameo of 5 minutes.

Zoya who has to her credits the ONLY film with both Shahrukh and Aamir on board (although in different scenes) as evident from her debut 'Luck By Chance' knows the industry inside out. She has well accepted the challenge of delivering another off-formula movie which will surely lead ‘Excel Entertainment’ truly excel in the Entertainment business.

ZNMD’ is all about celebrating life and living each moment to the fullest. Go. Watch this movie with your friends. Who can guarantee that ‘such a LUCK, by CHANCE Milegi Dobara’ !!!

Rating : *****

-BnR Films