ChotaDon

As a debutante Imran Khan has done well for himself and it is quite evident that he has a great career ahead as long as he picks the right movies. Genelia D’souza  has also done a good job. Two decades ago, Mansoor Khan helmed “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”, starring two new comers (Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla), focused on teenage love, with parental opposition acting as an obstacle. The story wan not new, but the treatment was fresh and inventive. QSQT remains one of the finest reference movies in his genre and rightly so! “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na” is a love story as well, but it is more of an Archie Jughead Veronica Betty kind of a plot, set in the current milieeu.We witnessed a gist of it a few years ago in the Shahid Kapoor debut movie ”Ishq Vishk”.

Well, Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na doest not dare to be different. Basically a simple tale about a group of friends, it focuses on one couple that’s in love, but is in a state of denial. Have not we watched similar love stories in the past, you may ask. Sure, we have, but the execution of the subject makes all the difference.

Large portions of “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na” have been executed well by debutante director Abbas Tyrewala, but the problem lies in the second hour when the movie gets lengthy and also a few songs thrown a spanner in the otherwise amooth proceedings. Even the climax, although well shot, is passe (very filmi in an otherwise real movie), since a number of movies had similar endings.Yet, despite the short comings, “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na” works for a number of solid reasons and that’s what the viewer carries home. A decent fare that take you back to your adolescence, when friends seems to be the be-all and end-all.

Do not expect foreworks or melodrama in thie love story. It is an extremely simple and uncomplicated tale that never goes over the top. The bonding amongst friends is well established. So is the relationship that Ratna Pathak Shah shares with her deceased husband’s protriat (reminds you of Ashok Saraf-Priya Tendulkar relationship in the famous comedy show Hum Paanch).

Besides, the two popular tracks that come in the initial reels, “Kabhi Kabhi” and “Pappu Cannot Dance” only spice up the proceedings. But what looks completely out of place in this light and breezy entertainer is the Rajput connection and how it save the lead man from the cop (Paresh Rawal). This song irritates!

The climax set in an airport aslo is beaten to death. There is no novelty in it, since we have seen the same ending in the movie after movie. Abbas Tyrewala has the makings of a fine director. A.R. Rahaman’s music is already a rage and the two tracks at the start are excellent compositions. Cinematography is outstanding.

Every member of the cast stands out but the movie belongs to Imran and Genelia. Imran Khan has been presented as the boy next door and that works in his favour. He has screen presence and acts very well for a first timer. Most importantly, he looks the part. Genelia adds freashness to her scenes. What makes you take to Genelia is her spontaneity. Added the mischievous look in her eyes conveys sorrow with equal ease. Wish to see more of her in Indian films! Manjari is a complete natural. She is very effective as well.

On the whole, “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na” is a breezy entertainer which will be loved by its target audience, the youth. At the box office, business at multiplexes should ensure a speedy recovery for this moderate budget movie. Fir many most of the mive will be cliched in many places but while that may be its drawn back, for some it will also be the factor that will tip things in the film’s favour.

Cast : Imran Khan, Genelia Dsouza, Ratna Pathak, Anuradha Patel, Manjari Phadnis, Jayant Kriplani, Nirav Mehta, Ayaz Khan, Karan Makhija, Sugandha Garg, Naseruddin Shah and Prateik Babbar.

Director : Abbas Tyreala.

Producer: Mansoor Khan/ Aamir Khan.

Release Date : 4th July 2008.

Banner : Aamir Khan Production/ PVR Cinema.