Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Review

The marketing campaign spanning months will finally come to an end. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani has released today! So was the film deserving of the marketing campaign devoted to it? Did Ayan Mukherji deserve such a big budget after just one film? Has Ranbir been able to deliver another award winning performance? Let’s dive straight into answering these questions and more.

Story, Screenplay and Dialogues: YJHD is about 4 friends Bunny, Naina, Avi and Aditi played by Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapoor and Kalki Koechlin respectively. The first half of the film is set in Manali, and the second half’s in Udaipur. There’s not a full fledged dramatic story to be found here. It’s just about the coming-of-age of these 4 friends and how they realize that happiness comes from within – your career, your location withstanding. The film rests on this one resolution.

Direction: For the most part of this 160 minute long film, Ayan Mukherji manages to tidy the languid script up with his dialogues, even though they are ol’ skool. The film lingers along but the hefty cinemtography makes you not feel the length of the film. Ayan deals with old Hindi film stereotypes here, but we seldom feel we are watching something we have already seen before, because his treatment is young. Having said that, after delivering such a fresh film on his debut, a ‘different’ story was expected from him. This lack of newness might bother a few, though.

Yeh Jawaani Hai DeewaniYeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Movie Review

Miscellaneous: As has been already mentioned, the scenic locales and the appropriately stunning cinematography are two of the film’s major high points. The art direction of the film shines in the film’s glitzy song sequences. There’s a grandness about it which shows the director’s vision and ambition.

Music: The music of the film was an nstant Hit. Badtameez Dil, Balam Pichkari, Dilliwali Girlfriend, and Ghagra are all huge chartbusters now. Pritam is on fine form once again. Pritam’s been very lucky for Ranbir once again after APKGK and Barfi. Even the sombre tracks like Subhanallah and Kabira work very well. Kabira does remind you of Saibo and Iktara, and that’s not a bad thing at all. All in all, the groovy music makes the film a lot more fun to watch and to listen to.

Acting: Ranbir Kapoor is always good. Always. He hardly ever misses a beat, and this role must have been a cakewalk for him compared to his last roles. He stays well within his comfort zone as Ayan Mukherji knows his friend’s strengths very well. Ranbir accentuates the bohemian Bunny very comfortably. He lights up the screen when he’s on screen with his sheer charm. Deepika Padukone does a fine job, as the nerdy yet adventurous Naina. Her dialogue delivery has certainly gotten better with time. And, the fact that she looks like a million bucks, obviously helps.

Kalki and Aditya Roy Kapoor have pretty important characters to play in the film and they do the job really well. Kalki is a surprise. She acts out the free-spirited Aditi without ever ‘acting’ it out. Aditya is getting better with every film and his growth curve is taking a turn for the better. Farooque Sheikh and Tanvi Azmi are always brilliant. They impress in their small roles. Poorna Jagannathan and Kunal Roy Kapoor are also there in the film. Madhuri Dixit shows with her item song that she has still got it when it comes to dancing and nazaakat!

Conclusion and Box Office: If you were expecting a film like Barfi or Wake Up Sid, please get real. The promos promised a fun film with a bit of philosophy. And that is what the film delivers. There a few hiccups yes, but the climax manages to redeem all those loose points. The film managed to bring a smile to my face and that is what matters at the end of the day, doesn’t it? Keep your expectations in check and you won’t be disappointed.

The film’s taken a thunderous opening all across India and the weekend could even touch 50cr. Having seen the film, I think it will just about manage to cross the 100cr barrier but the languid pace may take a few crores off the collections. Eitherway, it’s established Ranbir Kapoor as an opening Superstar.

Positives:

  • The gorgeous locales and the beautiful camera work
  • Ranbir Kapoor
  • The chartbusting music by Pritam
  • The climax
  • Grand sets

Negatives:

  • The languid pace
  • Lack of a story
  • An easy resolution to a life-changing decision

Rating: ★★★½☆

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Review by Zayden

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