"Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" (Language - Hindi) (2011) - Movie Review

Zoya Akhtar’s “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” is what the Bollywood cinema absolutely needed, a mature film. Not a hint of going overboard on obvious emotional explanation and simply treating the audience fairly and importantly with intelligence are the magnificent stellar stroke this movie knocks. It carries good sense of the characters and most of all has the humility. It has good actors playing their part to their true nature and staying within the limits of their director’s tender care. It is not deeply profound nor unnecessarily shallow rather just enough depth to weave its viewers for a pleasant journey for a feel good film that arrives organically.

Kabir (Abhay Deol), Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) and Arjun (Hrithink Roshan) are childhood friends embarking on a tour through Spain to fulfill their pact. Each has to choose an adventure sport that would be kept under the wraps of what it is until the day they actually do it. This is the bachelor party Kabir has planned for himself as we see him propose to his girl friend Natasha (Kalki Koechlin) when the movie begins. Yes there is no way this movie would escape comparison with “Dil Chahta Hai” which strangely was directed by Farhan Akhtar. I think the concept of three is the sizable number to provide enough characterization and revelation. Despite that, the film takes a stand on its own. It provides a different outlook on the well to do upper class. 

Us humans regardless of the social structure are always designated ourselves with our own problems. Money and comfort would eradicate the hedonistic needs of a person but our minds are so spectacular in finding problems. Those problems despite other supposedly real issues are for that person very real. This applies to the everyday life of any human. “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” might appear as three spoiled brats worrying about problems that are insignificant but I think the reason for me to look at it in this manner is due to the nature of good and great films of Indian cinema always took serious issues in the society than a regular human issue especially if the person is a wealthy individual. The problems these young men are facing in their times reflect the nature of Indian economy and more so about the cultural change it is going through. This transition is crucial and in the ultimate fiasco of terrible Bollywood films, this presentation marks great significance than one would generally view.

Thus begins the journey of these three who are not all hunky dory in hitting the road with harmony and celebrations. We instantly find out the cold atmosphere between Arjun and Imraan. Zoya Akhtar does not immediately make it obvious of this strain between these two. Both different in their mannerisms, outlook and character clash on their own techniques in attacking each other. If Imraan is too jovial and knows how to play around with Arjun then Arjun simply shows off his successful career to put Imraan in his place. Kabhir becomes the bridge and the instigator between these two. We are led to believe Kabhir is the truly happy one without issues until part of his issues are revealed. Imraan has a secret agenda of his own and Arjun despite his success is alone. Three of them find a way to make peace with those in this trip.

The resolution is crucial in these kind of films. More than predictability it is the truth in which they imbibe those to themselves and to the audience that becomes convincing in the execution of the story. Imraan realizes that his real father walked out when he was a child and he gets to meet him as Nasiruddin Shah. Their meet is honest and the outcome truthful. Similarly is Arjun’s love interest Katrina Kaif as Laila who might have been just an eye candy yet she becomes a trigger for what Arjun has been missing and not brave enough to embrace.

“Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” has some spellbinding cinematography by Carlos Catalan. There are some cool shots which are enhancements than distractions. It paints this beautiful country on to the next level of colour, cheer and simple peace one expects out of a road trip. The acting though not stellar is respectable. Its characters slightly animated are well within the bounds of flesh and blood. The only qualm I have is that they could have left out the unnecessary song during end credits. The way the film ended is the way it should have been left and somehow Zoya seem to have wanted the audience have a closure, an unnecessary one. The most beautiful films for most of the times are the ones which are left poetically incomplete much as the insightful, moving and genuine poetries the film has. “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” is not alone a simple entertainer but a sensible, cheering and genuine film.