The Hindu : Karnataka News : Nothing new to say when it comes to the plot

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Sunday, Nov 08, 2009
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Nothing new to say when it comes to the plot

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif in ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (Hindi)

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif

Director: Raj Kumar Santoshi

As Raj Kumar Santoshi presses the refresh button, he turns to the formulaic romantic tracks of the ’80s and changes it according to today’s definition of youthful entertainment; entertainment, which is governed by an assortment of gags, not a yarn of emotions.

He is at home in the milieu, where there is no space for socio-political context. Just a madhouse, bursting at the bricks.

Fortunately, he has opted for a lead pair, which fits the flaws. It is fresh and appealing and livens up the time-tested situations. Ranbir Kapoor is the latest Prem and he plays it with unhinged flamboyance.

If Wake Up Sid stirred the multiplexes, this could establish his bond with the masses. The boy doesn’t take himself seriously and effortlessly gives into the tomfoolery he is expected to do.

Be it bending on the dance floor or binding the ladoos or for that matter donning a female top, he has the energy to carry slapstick through the length of the film.

Katrina Kaif wants the book to be judged by its cover and we do not mind for the time being. Directors are writing characters which cover her limited Hindi and to an extent emotional depth. Here Santoshi has carved her as Jenny, an adorable orphan yearning for love. She finds Prem, the oddball, who believes in spreading happiness and is the president of the Happy Club. The two strike a chord but by intermission we discover that it is just friendship.

Jenny is, in fact, waiting for her Mr. Right (Upen Patel). Well, as always the supposed Mr. Right turns out to be Mr. Moneybags, who doesn’t stand up when it really comes to the crunch.

Santoshi has not been able to keep it crisp. He doesn’t realise that when it comes to the basic plot he has nothing new to say. It is the comic tone and situations that keeps the proceedings alive and kicking.

When you give in to the demands of buffoonery on display and ignore the inconsistencies in the script, the melodramatic moments block the flow.

Tracks such as Christians are expected to be non-vegetarians have run their mile and no longer surprise us even when a Christian turns out to be a vegan.

The Prem is outdated; it is the performances, particularly Ranbir’s that make it ghazab.

ANUJ KUMAR

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