I must admit that as soon as I finished watching “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” I was convinced that no other conventional Bollywood cinema can be executed so perfectly.[break]
Yes, Zoya Akhtar’s “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” is one of the most evenly placed films in Bollywood cinema of late.
A mixture of Dil Chahata Hai and Sideways, Akhtar’s Zindagi has many of the tricks to keep you glued to the screen for 135 minutes.
The story is nothing new to many, and the message is as simple: You only live one life, so live it to its fullest.
Yet the execution by Akhtar is indulging, and the movie is for those who find enlightening swimming under the sea and freedom to feel the wind in your hand.
Though entirely shot at the virgin locations of Spain, the film, however, doesn’t use the locations as gimmick but uses it as a medium to give the cinema an experience of grandeur.
While the movie isn’t the first road-trip cinema of friends, director Zoya Akhtar however pulls up the gravity of the film by the characters she introduces, all three actors extremely suited to the emotions of the film.
To add more, the neat execution, screenplay and cinematography together combine to shape the film as a most lighthearted movie of the recent times. Despite the score of immense melodrama, Zindagi, however, remains subtle till its very end.
Spoiler ahead:
Kabir (Abhay Deol) wants to go on a bachelor trip with his two best friends – Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) and Arjun (Hrithik Roshan) before getting married to Natasha (Kalki Koechlin).
The trio had promised that on the trip each one gets to do one adventure sports of their choice while the two have to join in, however they may not like the idea.
For Imraan, the trip is also important for he has to find his biological father, while Arjun is a workaholic, for whom all that matters is money as he has planning an early retirement at the age of 40.
As soon as the trip begins, the trio doesn’t miss out to do anything from swimming with marine creatures under the sea to skydiving and running with bulls. And soon the three decide to unshackle themselves from all the bindings of the world they were in so far.
Zindagi is one of the finest boy-bonding films of Bollywood after Dil Chahata Hai and 3 Idiots. What makes this movie more special is that its script is entirely written by two women. The entire story is straightforward and extremely character-driven and engaging.
The camaraderie between the trios is what makes many youngsters relate themselves with the film in many different ways. The three best friends aren’t unbelievably sweet to each other, like yeh dosti hum nahi todengey types.
All three have their share of hiccups in life. What adds flavor to the screen space is each of the character in the film has enough space for himself, and no one overshadows anyone.
Unlike in other Bollywood films where flashbacks dominate the primary time of the film, Zindagi never delves deep into the past of any characters.
While all three have their accounts from the past, which is an integral part of the story, the film only has a minimum mention of the incidents and creatively avoids the stretching of the screenplay.
And director Zoya Akhtar introducing humor even in the most unlikely and sad situation, for example, when the three get jailed, is really remarkable.
All the stunts and adventure sports in the film are filmed with a realistic touch, giving chance to the audience to feel the real experience of the escapades.
The cinematography gives you the surreal feeling while the background score compliments it beautifully.
The climax of the film doesn’t meet the conventional Bollywood standards, and that’s what makes the movie more exciting.
All three – Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol – meet perfection for their parts in the film. Katrina is sensual, as always, and for the first time, it’s her acting that overshadows her poise and beauty.
Kalki Koechlin is impeccable as a bitchy girlfriend in the film. Not to miss are the intense verses in the films, which are written by Javed Akhtar that depict different shades of our daily lives.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara explores friendship, “the bromance” like never done before in Bollywood. Yes, there are clichés, but with style and heat. Don’t miss it.
Screening at QFX Cinemas
The writer is Program Officer at Indian Cultural Centre.
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