1989 - Maine Pyar Kiya: "Ek ladka aur ladki kabhi dost nahi hote .... yeh toh parda hai parda .... " this scalding comment (a key turning point in the movie) kindled the fire of love in the hearts of two "good friends of the opposite gender", though it still took a white winged friend to make the two souls commit to their everlasting love (remember kabutar ja ja ?!).
2009 - Love Aaj Kal: Set in London, this is a tale of the modern day two "good friends of the opposite gender" (Saif Khan & Deepika Padukone - a refreshing new pairing of two good looking actors with the devil - may - care attitude), both professionally extremely ambitious, who realize that they may not have a future together since their professional calling is different. Friendship turns into a relationship (though they never believe it to be true love). After two years, they realize its best to break off so that when the career opportunities they have dreamt about do present themselves, they do not have to undergo a heartbreaking separation. They actually CELEBRATE their break - up (got to hand it to whoever coined this bizarre yet innovative thought!) and OFFICIALLY decide to separate. Enter a friendly Sardar (incidentally the same guy who hosts the break – up party & who, in his prime, looked uncannily similar to present day Saif – lets just call it CREATIVE LEEWAY!!) who, slowly but surely, citing the example of his love story with a Punjabi kudi (now why would someone want a Brazilian model to play a Punjabi kudi, especially if you have such lovely kudis in India?? Beats me, but that’s not the point, so lets just proceed !!) tries to brain wash Saif to believe that Deepika is the girl for him. Saif initially rubbishes the Sardars’ theories, but being extremely interested in his story, suddenly finds a strange resemblance to his modern day caper. Deepika shifts base to India & Saif starts dating a new hottie in London, but both are inseparable & keep finding new modes & reasons of communication. The till now speedy flick then stretches & stretches & stretches & stretches …. just like the bubble gum you are chewing. The end is as predictable as is the end of chewing gum, you always spit it out, RIGHT?!
The whole plot revolves around how love was approached in yesteryears’ & how it is treated by GenX. Yesterday it was about SACRIFICE, about IMPOSSIBLE PROMISES (“Harleen Kaur – agle har janam mein e hi meri potti banegi, ya jo bhi iska naam hoga” – vows the YOUNG Rishi Kapoor) & today it is about CONVENIENCE (parties to avoid sad break – ups), an ABSOLUTELY CONFUSED EMOTIONS (“am I your girlfriend?” asks a confused Deepika to an equally confused, if not more Saif, in one of the opening sequences of the movie) & SACRIFICING LOVE ON THE ALTAR OF AMBITION!
Rahul Khanna plays a cameo similar to his dads’ role in Chandni, but Mr. Vinod Khanna had a meatier role which he delivered with panache!
Pros:
A refreshing cast – Saif Khan & Deepika Padukone demonstrate the right attitude & approach – a tribute to GenX! The music is good with a couple of foot tapping numbers.
Its absolute nostalgia to watch Rishi Kapur & Neetu Singh on screen in the same frame (never mind HOW a tall slim young Punjabi kudi becomes SHORT in the last scene ;) – creative leeway at its best!) after a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME!
Cons:
Old wine in new bottle. Predictable story line. Come on Imtiaz, after Jab We Met the expectations from your movie were SKY HIGH!
Verdict: Watchable, 3*.
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