Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Review

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (U/A)
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin, Abhay Deol
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Rating: 3.5/5


"Seize the day, my friend," blurts the stunning deep-sea diving instructor Laila (Kaif), on a long walk with an uptight financial broker Arjun (Roshan). Arjun hasn't lived much, nor have his friends -- the apparently spineless Kabir (Deol) and jovial, closet poet Imran (Farhan). The adage pretty much sums up ZNMD.


It's a long, boring advertisement for Spain Tourism, warned a colleague whose "sources" had these precious words about ZNMD. I can safely say, it's a little more than that.


How do they land in Spain? Well, the boys had made a certain pact that each would suggest an adventure sport and the other two would have to follow. Screenplay writers Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar (also director) bring to the table a very beautifully captured Spain, by cinematographer Carlos Catalan. No no, that's not all. Along with Spain, they bring relationships of their protagonists with themselves and each other. Undercurrents unleashed by emotional turmoil, friendship, and finally the unloading of mental baggage, so as to emerge victorious in the truest sense.


For all this, the storywriters use heavy doses of symbolism. Deep-sea diving at Costa Brava, sky-diving in Sevilla and the San Fermin bull run in Pamplona, not to forget the Tomatina festival in Bunyol, where Arjun finally lets go. Fears are drowned, let open in the sky and finally at the mercy of raging bulls.


Performances are honest and telling across the board, yet Farhan stands out (Warning: Some bias may be at play here). Roshan, Deol and Farhan stick to their briefs by Zoya, often contained, and true to their characters, and never over-the-top. They let the characters' intrinsic qualities do the talking. Similarly with Koechlin, whose prim and proper Natasha is, admittedly, not much like her real life persona. They're all easy-going, playing their parts and enjoying while in the act. Kaif's "tumhari zindagi badalnewali hai" made me cringe, but overall her effort to make Laila believable cannot be undermined. You wish you could have a life like hers, jetting off to a part of the world for three months of daredevilry and loads of fun.


Witty dialogue (credited to Farhan himself), playful chitchat and the camaraderie between the friends personify ZNMD. However, the lack of chemistry among them in the first hour cannot be ignored. ZNMD has so many silent moments, it's likely to put you to sleep. The editing tools could have been sharper to give this coming-of-age romantic drama a facelift. Restlessness is the unwelcome guest on this road, much like Kabir's fiancée Natasha.


Sounds uncannily similar to Farhan's directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, right? Now if you take DCH as the benchmark, it's up to you how slow/polished/boring/unnecessary/pretty you find ZNMD.


Your heart is likely to be set upon the beats of ZNMD, from the free-spirited Ik Junnon to the mellow Khwabon Ke Parindey, not to forget the unforgettable Senorita. And Farhan's poetry infused in the narrative needs special mention. True Akhtar blood must say!
The writers exploit luxury and frankly, ZNMD set anywhere else could be as true to character. They didn't really have to go to Spain.


For those (which, I assume, is a lot of us), who may not be able to afford a holiday in Spain for any time soon, go catch ZNMD for good performances, music, Spain and of course, Farhan Akhtar in his element. 
Story:  The story revolves around three friends- Hrithik Roshan (Arjun), Farhan Akhtar (Imraan) and Abhay Deol (Kabir). Kabir gets engaged to Natasha (Kalki), whom he met six months back. He, along with his other two buddies, make a pact to go on a three week road trip to Spain, which is also his extended bachelor party. The road trip is based on a deal that each one gets to try out the ultimate sport of their choice and the other two friends have to give him company. While Arjun is a workaholic, he agrees to the plan after a lot of persistence and cajoling. The trio meet at Barcelona and set off for the adventure. Here, Arjun’s chance encounter with Laila (Katrina Kaif) changes the course of their lives. The road trip helps them sort out their differences and also face their fears.


Story treatment:  The story, which is about three bachelors, has been woven beautifully and is very well presented. The first half seems to lack the punch, for they are just seen travelling all around, playfully. While on the trip, the past differences of Arjun and Imraan crop up once again.  The scene, where Imraan meets his dad Salman, has been shot beautifully. It showcases the intensity of  the father- son duo, who meet for the first time in nearly two decades.  'La Tomatina,' which is one the most famous festivals of Spain, has been re-created perfectly for the song ‘Ik Junoon’.Though, 'ZNMD' is a multi starrer, each character comes out neat and clear. The principal part of the film, has been shot at Barcelona, Pamplona, Bunyol, Andalucia in Spain, Egypt and in Mumbai. All the three adventure sports showcased in the flick, whether it's sky diving, scuba diving or the bullfighting have been shot in a lovely fashion.
The movie ends with a bull fight scene, which makes way for their next pact, solving unresolved conflicts. Poetic lines in the background, by Farhan Akhtar, touch your heart.


Star Cast: Farhan Akhtar fits his role perfectly. Hrithik and Katrina look great together. Laila, as a diving instructor and free-spirited girl fits her role perfectly. Kalki and Abhay, who featured in 'Dev D' earlier, prove themselves all over again. Kalki's track as an over protective and nagging girlfriend is tailor made. While Abhay is best at his school boy antics, Hrithik, who plays a share market guy, looks good in his role. Farhan's antics will leave you in splits. 
The movie also sees Suhel Sheth and Naseeruddin Shah in brief appearances and both do justice to their respective parts.


Direction:  Zoya Ahktar, sitting in the director’s chair, does a good job yet again. Zoya has played with the theme of living every moment of life to the fullest and takes one into the world of adventure. The movie has been made with a touch of sensitivity and the road trip is bound to transport you to Spain.
With loads of emotional drama, thrills and of course romance, the characters seem to come alive.


Dialogues / Cinematography / Music:  Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti share the credits for the story and the screenplay and they've done a brilliant job. The dialogues are quirky and have a punch in them. Carlos Catalan is the director of photography and he too, has done an extremely good job,especially when it comes to shooting the underwater scenes.  The songs of 'ZNMD,' which have been created by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and penned by Javed Akhtar, are quite appealing. 'Senorita,' which features Abhay, Hrithik and Farhan Akhtar, crooning away to glory, is the USP of the album.
Farhan's dialogues like ‘Darr Ke Aage Jeet Ha’ and ‘Shit Happens,’ would remind you of a famous aerated drink brand, not that you would mind that!
3 Ups and 3 Downs: Watch the flick for some light moments full of fun and laughter. The flick is packed with guy jokes and boys will surely love the humour. There's a feeling of freshness in the movie, thanks to the never seen before cast, definitely something to look out for. The road trip is bound to entertain you completely.
The first part is little low on drama, as most of the time the stars are seen checking in and out of the hotels.

Book your weekend in Spain.. ;)

Courtesy : DNA ,Seddhart Suklecha for his views