Age certification: PG
Written by: Ayan Mukherji
Directed by: Ayan Mukherji
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone Aditya Roy Kapur, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Kalki Koechlin, Farooq Sheikh
Genre: Romance
Stars: *** 1/2
With beautiful locations, blockbuster music and a fluffy romance, Ayan Mukherji’s latest offering has hit written all over it.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is the type of film that will leave you with a smile on your face. Not much thinking required, just enjoy the fancy locations, good looking star cast and peppy music. There are more than a few déjà vu moments; group of friend embark on a trip where two people fall in love (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge), spectacled girl is afraid of living life to the full (Kal Ho Na Ho), boy and girl love each other but have different priorities in life and consequently go their own ways (Love Aaj Kal), but if we ignore all of the above then it actually makes for pleasant viewing.
Medical student Naina (Deepika Padukone) who has no time for anything but her books makes a spur of the moment decision to embark on a trekking trip to Manali where she meets three classmates, Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor), Avi (Aditya Roy Kapur) and Aditi (Kalki Koechlin). Notorious flirt Bunny is an aspiring travel journalist and dreams of seeing the whole world, gambler Avi dreams of setting up his own bar, and wild chick Aditi, who happens to be in love with her best friend Avi, is the life and soul of the group.
The first half of the film is lots of fun as the youngsters enjoy themselves on the trek with the beautiful surroundings of Manali. We learn about our four characters and also witness some beautiful scenes between Ranbir and Deepika. Both Balam Pichkari and Ghagra really up the anti with the music quotient and look great on screen.
Eight years later we learn the characters have parted ways and are set to meet up at Aditi’s wedding. No she’s not getting married to Avi, but is getting hitched to rich engineer Tarun (Kunaal Roy Kapur) instead. It’s fair to say most of you will have guessed what happens from here.
Casting is superb and all four do great in their roles. Stand out scenes include Bunny and Avi’s fight in the second half, Naina and Bunny watching the sunset going down as she tells him there will always be something you will miss in life so you must learn to live in the moment.
A special note for the wedding costumes designed by Manish Malhotra, which make the leading heroines look breathtaking – in Deepika’s case she looks stunning throughout the film, even adorning a pair of geeky glasses. Aditya Roy Kapur seems to be an actor to watch out for with another hit in the bag, while Ranbir Kapoor proves he is one of the most bankable actors of his generation.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is one for the masses and for anyone who loves a good romcom!
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