Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Life gets simpler and beautiful when we seize the day. And when you turn back your pages of life you’d love to have few memories to revel on and relationships to get nostalgic about. Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) deals with something similar, and about how to pleasantly live the moment.
The plot
Fondly known as the three musketeers, childhood friends Arjun (Hrithik), Imran (Farhan), and Kabir (Abhay) set for a bachelors road trip to Spain. They have planned an adventure sport each, which all three together would experience during the road trip. As per a pact that was made years ago, the adventure sport won’t be revealed till the D day arrives.
During their trip, the boys meet Laila (Katrina), an easy going lady who believes in living the moment. Arjun, who believes in minting money till 40, gains a new perspective towards life after meeting her. Kabir’s possessive fiancee, Natasha (Kalki Koechlin), barges into the road trip to ensure that her guy is being a one-woman man. Women I tell you! I know, I know, I am one too. Imran the cool and spirited shayar is keen on the whereabouts of a famous artist, Salman Habib.
Analysis
Three cheers to Zoya Akhtar for giving us such a classy experience. This is not the regular Bollywood stuff with heavy filmy dialogues or cheesy moments. It is only when Katrina drives a Harley Davidson and when Senorita arrives all of a sudden that you get the filmy feel.
The message that we won’t get this beautiful life again is amazingly conveyed when the tough Arjun is left teary eyed after experiencing an underwater dive. Also when Laila expresses her love for Arjun saying, “main afsoos karna nahin jaanti“, it is subtlety at its best. The movie succeeds in being smart and casual rather than being preachy.
There is nothing like comedy track in the movie, but there are enough moments that will give you hearty laughs. Reflecting over school days, getting mischievous, playing pranks, fighting at silly issues, the bwoys do it all to make you smile. The trick lies in the witty conversations which are very natural. Note: Conversations, not dialogues. And Imran’s Shayaris (poems) on the background add an undeniable value to the movie.
Zoya kept the movie stylish and elegant. Be it the costumes and the locations, or the screenplay and the cinematography, everything contributed significantly. The khwabon ke parindey song is a must watch. The way the song was shot, the atmosphere, the context, Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music and the soulful act of Hrithik combine to give us a pure delight. Then there is bagvati and a gorgeous blue car for you to instantly fall in love with.
The ride gets bumpier occasionally and Zoya could have done away with a bit of emotional drama.
Actors
For this one movie, I feel every actor did their bit aptly well. Yes, even Katrina.
Hrithik was intense and adorable. And as always, his facial expressions were vivid. Abhay pulled his role effortlessly. Farhan was awesome and unintentionally humorous. The equation between the trio is simply amazing. Katrina was natural and vibrant. Kalki was believable. And I’ll give the credit to Zoya for extracting such lively and brilliant performances from the cast.
Final word:
You should experience this refreshing journey at least once. I’ll go with 3.5 out of 5.
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A glimpse:
