A Failed Attempt. 2.5/5. #anilkapoor #juhichawla #rajkumarrao #ekladkikodekhatohaisalaga #hindi #movie #review
Language: Hindi
Running time: 2 hours
Director: Shelly Chopra Dhar
Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Starring: Anil Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Juhi Chawla, Regina Cassandra, Akshay Oberoi, Abhishek Duhan, Brijendra Kala, Sara Arjun, Seema Pahwa, Madhumalti Kapoor
The film seemed interesting from its trailers with a subject matter often tackled by Hindi Cinema with immaturity - homosexuality. The cast line-up being talented, except Sonam Kapoor, of course, and the fact that Vidhu Vinod Chopra is involved were the other attractions.
To be honest, the film like a lot of recent ones, has different dynamics in its two halves. In the first half the film is drab, slow, irritating to the point that you want to just walk out of the theatre.
If you do survive the first half, then it gets slightly better as it seems to start getting to the point. But does it really? Only just about.
The film plays safe after taking a leap into a risky (by Hindi cinema standards) subject like female homosexuality. Chemistry between the support characters played by Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla is much better than that of the main characters. You do feel for Sonam’s character, but not because of her acting. The sub-plot about not being able to follow one’s heart is there for a few laughs rather than to make a point.
The climax is a mess and gives no relief to the issue at hand. Rather it just ends abruptly making it feel like they didn’t have an answer and just wanted to end the film on a positive note. I wished they had a more thoughtful and smarter ending.
Performance:
Sonam cannot act. Period.
The kid, Sara Arjun, on the other hand is an amazing actor and makes you feel for the character.
Surprisingly the second bad performance in the film is given by Rajkumar Rao. His character is naïve and silly, reminds one of any of the irritating chocolate boy characters of yesteryear Bollywood films. In the second half though he is back to being RajKumar Rao-esque and that’s so much better.
The veterans are the real stars of the film. Juhi Chawla is the funniest and is lovable in her role. Anil Kapoor does a great job too.
Regina Cassandra feels fake in the little time she is given.
The other support characters played by Abhishek Duhan, Brijendra Kala, Seema Pahwa and Madhumalti Kapoor are fun in their respective roles.
The film has some upbeat music. I especially liked the new rendition of the lovely song Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga (though, I still like the original better).
Conclusion:
This film is a drag in the first half, shows potential later and then just ends abruptly. Some bad to very bad performances combined with some good performances by the veterans make it watchable. I would have rated this only 2 for the performances, but I give it another 0.5 for an attempt at the bold topic of homosexuality, especially female homosexuality. That gives this film 2.5/5