![](http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/images/mail2.gif)
Archives
Contribute
|
Movie Review - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
|
|
Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM.com 08/10/2006
KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA has generated
tremendous heat within and outside the film industry. It's not the star
cast alone that has resulted in unparalleled, unmatched and
unprecedented craze for the film. It's also the person seated on the
director's chair that makes KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA special. Very
special. KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA narrates the story of two
families -- Sarans and Talwars -- both not connected to one another.
But circumstances bring them together. Dev Saran [Shah Rukh Khan] has
an uneasy and troubled relationship with his wife Rhea [Preity Zinta]
and son Arjun [child artist Ahsaas]. He resents his wife's growing
success and in the process, ends up turning all his anger towards his
loved ones. Maya Talwar's [Rani Mukherji] relationship with
her husband Rishi [Abhishek Bachchan] is layered with a lot of
self-doubt and question. She is unable to whip up enough passion for
Rishi and is disappointed that her love for him does not match her own
expectations of what it ought to be. This dilemma pulls her further
apart from him, thereby causing a strain on their marital life. One fine day, Dev and Maya's path cross each other…
KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA starts like a nice romantic drama, with Abhishek
getting married to his childhood sweetheart and SRK talking to his wife
about the $ 5 million deal after he has won a game of soccer. But
minutes later, the film does a 180-degree turn and establishes the
friction between the two couples. The tension between the
couples surfaces gradually, but reaches the crescendo 20 minutes before
intermission. The spat between SRK and Preity on one hand [Preity: “I
wear the pants in this houseâ€], followed by the heated argument between
Abhishek and Rani [Abhishek: “You can't even bear a childâ€] is amongst
the most remarkable portions in the film. These sequences hit you like
a ton of bricks! It's not that the first half is laced with
tense-filled moments. In fact, the first hour-and-a-half has light
portions in abundance. Amitabh Bachchan's philandering lifestyle
provides ample moments of laughter and of course, eye-candy, what with
some gorgeous firang babes jumping out of the closet. In the
post-interval portions, infidelities occur, betrayals are discovered
and the couples' worlds go upside down. The sequence at the dinner [Sr.
Bachchan hosts a sit-down dinner on Kiron Kher's birthday], when SRK
expresses his feelings, or when SRK opens up to Preity and Rani to
Abhishek about the affairs are master strokes from the writing and
execution point of view. Note another scene: SRK waiting with a bouquet
of roses for Rani and by a sheer coincidence, Preity walks in at that
time at the signal crossing. This sequence [it depends on treatment
alone] deserves distinction marks. The end is powerful, but
disturbing. Disturbing for those who believe in the age-old traditions.
The film moves about in a serpentine fashion. Just when you thought
that the couples have decided to go separate ways, there's another
twist in the tale and yet another, in the end. KABHI ALVIDA
NAA KEHNA is not a date film and the writers [Karan Johar, Shibani
Bathija] spell it out at the very outset. The screenplay balances the
two extremes -- light moments and dollops of emotions -- with amazing
ease. The relationship between the couples or even those between the
parent and child [the Bachchans] is delicately handled. If there are
moments that move you to tears, there are ample moments that bring a
smile to your face as well. Another noteworthy aspect is its forthright
dialogues [Niranjan Iyengar]. The lines sound straight of life and
there also exist a host of interesting observations. Yes, the film is
talky, but in a smart way. You never feel that the characters are
talking to hear their own words or to fill up screen time.
Anil Mehta's cinematography is awesome. The film has been filmed in New
York and the lensman captures the various seasons and colors with
gusto. The outcome is easily comparable to the best in Hollywood.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is melodious. 'Mitwa', 'Rock N Roll Soniye'
and 'Where's The Party Tonite' appeal also due to the vibrant
choreography [Farah Khan]. The styling and the production values are
topnotch. Editing could be tighter. A bit of trimming, in the first
half mainly, would only sparkle the film further. In KABHI
ALVIDA NAA KEHNA, the actors get a chance to shine and no one shines
brighter than Shah Rukh Khan. Let's just state one thing here: This is
SRK's finest work after D.D.L.J. His sequences with Preity
specifically, when the couple has their spats, or in the climax, when
he just stares at Rani from inside the train, proves that he's
undoubtedly the best in the business. The ferocity with which he
delivers his lines and the restless energy he imparts to his character
electrifies every scene that he's in. Rani is remarkable yet
again. In fact, if you consider BLACK to be her most memorable
performance so far, then watch her in KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA. This
surpasses her work in BLACK or VEER-ZAARA and PAHELI. Her makeup as
well as her overall appearance is tremendous. She's never looked as
good before! It would be unfair to describe either Abhishek
Bachchan or Preity Zinta's performances as 'lesser'. Abhishek is
brilliant, especially when he gets serious towards the end. His
penultimate sequence, when he gives a golden advice to Rani, is
outstanding. Preity not only looks gorgeous, but the dedication to her
role shows at vital points. Her penultimate scene with Rani, when she
confronts her at the marriage reception, is fabulous. Amitabh
Bachchan is in superb form. The naughty streak that he displays soon
disappears in the second half, when he realizes that something is
amiss. In fact, his expressions at the dinner first and also in the
hospital only reiterates the fact that he's an icon. Kirron Kher excels
in a brief but significant role. Arjun Rampal looks perfect for the
part. Kajol and John Abraham [both appear in songs] add to the glamour
quotient. Child artist Ahsaas looks cute and acts well. On the
whole, KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA is an outstanding film from the writing,
performance and execution point of view. It has style, substance, it
takes challenges and doesn't follow formulas -- and that is its biggest
strength. THE SHOW TIMES @ QUINCY ARE AS FOLLOWS: FRIDAY , SATURDAY, SUNDAY : 1:30PM, 3:30PM, 5:30PM, 7:30PM, AND 9:30PM MONDAY THRU THURSDAY: 1:30PM , 3:30PM, 7:30PM AND 8:30PM THE SHOWTIMES AT WORCESTER AND LAWRENCE LOCATIONS ARE: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: 2PM, 6PM, 10PM SUNDAY THRU THURSDAY: 12NOON, 4PM , 8PM. For detailed review visit: http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/12514/index.html For show details visit: http://www.cineplazaboston.com
|
You may also access this article through our web-site http://www.lokvani.com/
|
|