Luck By Chance Movie Review

Reality based movies are becoming the fancy of most directors in the multiplex era. Debutant director Zoya Akhtar is no different. Holding a mirror to some of the lesser known aspects of the Bollywood film industry, “Luck By Chance” produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, is the debut film of Zoya Akhtar.

The movie boasts of many biggies from the Bollywood film industry making special appearances adding an extra touch of reality to the film, not to mention star value.

Luck By Chance features Farhan Akhtar of “Rock On” fame, the very talented Konkona Sen Sharma and Isha Sharwani in key roles along with Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Juhi Chawla and Sanjay Kapoor in supporting roles. The biggest attraction of the film though is Hrithik Roshan who has an extended guest appearance in the film. With a unique story line, a talented star cast and many a special appearances, Luck By Chance is high on expectations. But will Zoya manage to give the right bite of reality?

Before we go ahead into analysing the movie, lets take a look at the story.

Luck By Chance revolves mainly around two struggling actors, Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) and Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma) who aim to make it big in Bollywood. While Vikram joins acting classes and takes horse-riding and dancing lessons to add to his profile, Sona plays supporting roles in movies with big banners. Just as predicted, they both get to taste the bitterness behind the ever so dreamy film industry. This lays the foundation of a growing friendship between the two, which soon turns into a love affair. When Sona’s aspiration breaks down by false promises made by a producer, luck shines on Vikram and he gets short-listed to play the male lead as the top star Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan) opts out of a big film at the last minute. Does Vikram manage to bag the role and survive in an industry that is so complex and contradicting? What takes to be a part of such a manipulative industry?

Luck By Chance Review

Although Bollywood is the backdrop of Luck By Chance, it just spoofs the functioning of the industry without getting too hard-hittingly serious. The movie is an insiders view of how the industry works interweaving a lot of moments that is generally hidden by the shine of stardom. What works best in this movie is that, most situations that appear so simple and straight talk volumes for the movie. Like, the producer Rommy Rolly shedding tears in private as his films lead star Zaffar Khan fails to return his calls although he is the man behind his stardom. Also when another producer who promised a big break for Konkona outrightly denies to cast her because of having acted in side roles in many other films, although they were accepted only after his approval. Vikram making a study of yesteryear actress Neena by watching most of her movies in attempts to impress and lure her into being supportive for his debut movie alongside her daughter Nikki.

Without getting very complex, Luck by Chance takes you on a clear and convincing journey from struggle to success to corruption to redemption. Zoya Akhtar deftly manages to pull off satire on the industry as well as several actors at their own expense but with dignity for all. With a taut screenplay and definitive moments, Zoya brings out both the good and the bad in the industry and its members. Unlike many other directors, Zoya calls for special apperance in the movie by lead stars not for star value but to go in sync with the script. The climax is something totally unexpected yet very apt. Taking the focus from Vikram’s success to Sona’s confidence and aim still alive in her in a different form, Zoya brings out the value of talent that makes a person and not luck. She also makes you feel the importance of having the courage and strength to move on in life. She is definitely a director to watch out for in the days to come. Dialogues by Javed Akhtar are brilliant. His sharp wit and sensitivity just adds to the grace of the movie. He makes the right remarks for the right situations like the one about Dimple Kapadia, ‘She’s a crocodile in a chiffon sari’. Music by trio Shanker-Ehsaan-Loy is excellent. ‘Sapno Se Bhare Naina’ and ‘Yeh Zindagi Bhi’ stand out in terms of lyrics while Baawre stands out for its beat, colorful costumes and beautiful choreogrphy.

Zoya Akhtar has clearly managed to bring out the best in all the actors.

Farhan Akhtar gets under the skin of his character of Vikram. He puts up a confident, strong and a very realistic performance. Konkona Sen undoubtedly was excellent, a very dependable actress. Isha Sharwani does what she is best at. She puts up a doll like look that calls for absolutely no acting. Rishi Kapoor as the punjabi man and bollywood producer was fantastic. Dimple Kapadia was good too. Hrithik Roshan in his extended cameo role is brilliant, one of the reasons for many to watch the film.

Overall, Luck By Chance is a surpise package. It is a satirical take on the Bollywood industry without being very hard-hitting. The movie is worth a watch especially for Farhan – Konkana’s performance, Zoya’s direction and Hrithik Roshan!!

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