Crime Master Go-Go
Oranges
Karishma is Raveena and Raveena is Karishma
"Aap insaan nahin...mahan hai!"
"Shut up, Robert!"
The poisonous cups of juice
Juhi Chawla's hilarious cameo co-starring Govinda
These are just some of the classic moments from director Rajkumar Santoshi's last chaotic comedy Andaz Apna Apna. 15 years later, Santoshi returns with a like-minded comedy in an effort to recreate that crazy and hilarious world. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani stars Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Smita Jaykar, Govind Namdeo, Darshan Jariwala and Upen Patel. It has music by Pritam.
The film, which is already a hit across the globe, is about Prem (Kapoor) who is the good-hearted president of the Happy Club. The club is just a bunch of loafers who don't make any money and who are not educated but still try to make the world a better place. Prem's parents Sharada (Smita Jaykar) and Shiv Shankar (Darshan Jariwala) are pretty upset that their son hasn't made anything of himself. It's when Prem meets Jenny (Kaif), the lonely new girl in town, that his life changes. He easily falls in love with her and spends the rest of movie wooing her and doing everything he can to make her life happier than it actually is.
I'm going to make a contradictory statement now. Ajab Prem is one of the smartest mindless comedies to come out of Bollywood in recent years. What I mean by that is that the lack of logic isn't due to the carelessness of the film's crew. No, sir, it's the main reason why this film works so well. When the film begins, you're asked to step into an entire different universe which looks and sounds different from our own world. Ajab Prem isn't trying to be realistic or ordinary. Everything about this film is extraordinary and quirky. The way they speak, the way they dress, the way they act - these characters are all consistently larger than life. This is why I find this movie intelligently illogical. It's all a part of the film's fiber.
The film is absolutely hysterical. Here is a list of my favorite moments. SPOILER ALERT. If you want to be surprised skip this part.
"Nonsense!" "Grrrr!"
Jenny in the climax
Sandra's wedding
The kidnapping sequence that opens the second half
Sharada seducing her husband
Prem getting ready for his job at the Laddoo Factory
Shiv Shankar finds Jenny's clothes in the bathroom
The police station scene
"Sultan-e-Salman-e-Shah Rukh-Khan"
"Ek baar thappar maaro mujhe..."
Jesus's special appearance (no joke)
Okay, that's enough. I don't want to ruin the entire movie for you.
I praise this film's intentional lack of logic but there are a few times (only a few) when it's too much. For example, there is a pre-climax kidnapping that isn't shown and I was like, "Um, when did that happen?" There is a lot of kidnapping in this movie (you'll understand when you see it) so I can kind of understand that Santoshi didn't want to overdo it. But this kidnapping sequence was not the one to cut or not write.
The major reason why this film works is Ranbir Kapoor. He's just so charming and happy and likable that you fall in love with him instantly. He's so funny yet he really nails the dramatic scenes.
Katrina Kaif performs extremely well. This might be her best role to date. And here's why: she actually is allowed to be funny. In her other comedies (except for Singh is Kinng) she is relegated to the background. But here, she's almost as good as Ranbir. She also does dramatics well but we knew that from New York.
The stammering. Both Prem and Jenny stammer when they get emotional. It does feel tiring when they're stammering through some lines late in the second half but I appreciate the consistency. I have to say that Katrina Kaif was more believable. Ranbir Kapoor got the vocal part down but Katrina was able to convey the frustration that comes with stammering surprisingly well.
The supporting cast is all fine. The standouts are Smita Jaykar and Darshan Jariwala, who play Prem's parents. The three of them are such a funny and insane family. Kirron Kher could have played this role in her sleep but it was refreshing to see Smita Jaykar pull it off.
You know someone's a bad actor when they can't even properly ruin a movie in the style of Zayed Khan. Upen Patel, the film's weak link, is so bad that you just ignore him and his terrible dialogue delivery.
Musically, the film is great. The songs come and go without hindering the narrative. They're melodiously charming and hip. My favorite part is during "Main Tera Dhadkan Teri" when Katrina starts dancing with Upen Patel's Sardarji astrologer. "Tu Jaane Na" is one brilliantly-directed music video.
Aren't you surprised this review wasn't a Katrina Kaif lovefest?
Unlike Love Aaj Kal, this is not a perfect movie. It has its flaws but it's enjoyable and easy and light. And you will laugh. Hard. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani gets an 8/10.
