WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Taking the relationship to the next level. It’s a phrase we hear often, usually associated with a couple reaching the point of either stagnation or routine that demands things evolve to another extent of commitment. This should be a good thing, mind you, but what happens when this point of necessary change occurs to two people who resist such a notion? Adi (Aditya Roy Kapur) is a young, energetic, creatively competent video game designer with big aspirations. Having moved to Mumbai and engineered a concept that could radically improve his life and financial stability while putting him on a fast track to Los Angeles, things seem to be on the up and up, fun and more fun his consistent mindset.
Settled outside the city in a rented room contained in his landlord Gopi’s (Naseeruddin Shah) home, enter an unexpected twist in Adi’s life via aspiring architect and lovelorn beauty Tara (Shraddha Kapoor), whom Adi initially glimpses in a not-so-great moment at a train station before reconnecting at a wedding soon after. Embarking on a carefree, playfully volatile relationship, the two commit to the notion that taking their love beyond a certain point, aka: marriage, is out of the question, enjoying instead a live-in arrangement, much to Gopi’s and Adi’s relative’s disapproval. Yet, as the couple endure the ups and downs of career goals and their feelings towards each other, other events make it evident that perhaps taking things to that next phase isn’t such a bad choice after all.
Next, my Mind:
Picking right up where last year’s epic span of high quality Bollywood efforts left off, 2017’s first major new release continues the trend with a wonderfully frisky, frolicsome, high-spirited romantic comedy/drama directed by Shaad Ali. Executed with the flare as only Bollywood can create, the film runs along with a brisk pacing and light-hearted intention while also providing affecting dramatic elements, musical sequences, and a satisfying finale sure to please most audiences. Crisp cinematography and the always uniquely choreographed dancing emphasizes, for this reviewer, how much fun the leads must have had in making this narrative come to life. I am personally a sucker for a great love story, and this effort certainly qualifies, but what I like the best is that the film doesn’t show love as this totally perfect thing, but rather realistically shows the joy, anger, fear, commitment, and perseverance needed to make it work. Add to this addressing the ever-mercurial subject of live-in relationships, it’s a potent mishmash to say the least!
Kapur, after a great turn in last year’s sadly maligned “Fitoor”, brings his boyish charm and charisma back in full force as Adi, a man filled with the vigor of youth and youthful pursuits, unconcerned about any true ideas of commitment other than to his career goals and to have as much fun as he can, with relationship depth remaining solidly at surface level. Watching all of this get upended is entertaining and engaging, and Kapur delivers it so effectively in his performance. Likewise, the absolutely captivating, enchanting, lovable Kapoor once again brings her bubbly personality to the screen as Tara, a woman driven by ambitions of her own, also never wanting to let romance get beyond pure fun or simply being a pleasant distraction. Yet then she meets Adi, and while her initial resistance to his advances is successful to her own intentional and coy extent, watching her suddenly realize that she’s truly IN love with him is wonderfully portrayed by Kapoor. Their onscreen chemistry is undeniable and totally engaging throughout, eliciting laughter and tears.
Supporting turns are provided to excellent extent by Shah as Gopi, Leela Samson as Gopi’s illness-stricken wife Charu, Kitu Gidwani as Tara’s elitist mother, Vijayant Kohli as Adi’s brother, and Prahlad Kakkar as Adi’s boss among others. Overall, “Ok, Jaanu” is a fantastic way to start off the new year with its lively demeanor and relevant subject matter wrapped in a totally entertaining package and romantic atmosphere that will ideally be having couples who see the film together saying “Ok, darling” to each other a little more often when times get tough and the joys of being in love reclaim the heart.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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