Ever so often a movie comes along that speaks directly to your soul. It just clicks with you and it instantly becomes a favorite, even though it has flaws and detractors.
For me, Love Aaj Kal unexpectedly became that movie. When I popped it into my laptop, I had no idea that it would speak to me the way it did, making me laugh and cry and cheer. Yes, Love Aaj Kal has a few flaws (some of them bigger than others) but the fact that it can rise above its problems is a testament to its strength as a whole picture.
Starring Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Rishi Kapoor, LAK is the third directorial feature by Imtiaz Ali, the man behind the underrated Socha Na Tha and the absolutely wonderful Jab We Met. I'll just say right now that I've already placed Love Aaj Kal at #6 on my Top 10 Favorite Bollywood Films (Jab We Met is #9).
Jai (Saif Ali Khan) and Meera (Deepika Padukone) are a couple in London. They believe they're just having fun with each other, nothing serious. Two years go by. They decide to break up when her job takes her to New Delhi and his to San Francisco. Disappointed in his lackadaisical approach to relationships, the owner of a local coffee shop Veer Singh (Rishi Kapoor) tells Jai about his own love story in 1965 involving a sweet, quiet girl named Harleen Kaur (Brazilian model Giselle Monteiro). During their year apart, Jai and Meera become closer and closer, slowly realizing their true love for each other.
Flaws:
1. Harleen Kaur should have been played by Deepika Padukone, in order to create a tighter metaphor. See, at first I thought that Rishi was playing Saif's dad, so it made sense that Jai in 2008 and Veer in 1965 looked the same. But they're not related so Jai is imagining himself in the 1965 flashbacks. So why doesn't he imagine Meera as Harleen? It's not like the character Harleen required any heavy acting beyond Deepika's admittedly limited capabilities.
2. I just wish this role had come to Deepika later in her career when she could have done more justice to the extremely well-written character. She's good and she's competent. But there are some moments when her inexperience really shows.
3. This movie is ultimately people just standing/sitting around talking about relationships. There's hardly any "action" in the film so it may seem boring to some people. This is especially true for younger kids. In fact, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone younger than 16.
Despite all this, Love Aaj Kal is still a supreme romantic-comedy. It is a hilariously accurate portrayal of modern relationships. It hits those eccentricities and quirks that populate our personalities on the head like the phrase "Aam Junta - the Mango People" or how their friends debate whether they should feel sad or happy at Jai and Meera's break-up party.
There are a good amount of moments that ring true like Jai laughing at himself when he finally realizes that Meera is The One (long after we realize it) or Veer Singh getting a job and making money in order to be worthy of Harleen's hand in marriage.
I also like how the 1965 love story and the 2008 love story all hit the same points; they're essentially the same story with the same destination but they unfold differently. While I love the 2008 love story a lot more, the 1965 love story is also enjoyable and engaging.
Jai and Meera's long-term compatibility is hinted at through many small mini-moments. Basically their every interaction, which show how ridiculously well they know each other and how ridiculously alike they are, is a clue that they are meant to be.
For example, when Jai confesses that he hasn't yet made any good plans with his new girlfriend Jo for New Year's Eve, Meera says, "Main hoti toh maar dalti". Jai and Meera are always comparing themselves to the other's new partners.
Also, whenever Jai and Meera are on the phone with each other and one has some bad news, they both say someone's at the door, put the phone down and emotionally prepare themselves to be happy for the other. It's little things like that which make Jai and Meera the perfect couple.
Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone share an easy, nuanced chemistry. This is Saif's movie just like how JWM was Kareena's movie. He is absolutely amazing as both Jai and Veer Singh. Deepika Padukone has a lot to learn especially when it comes to dramatic monologues. She is very funny and is still the coolest of all the cats (sorry, Naina) because she's all like "I'm Deepika and I'm cool 'cause I wear awesome kurti-and-leggings outfit and get drunk at roadside dhabas in Delhi while dancing to 'Chor Bazaari'."
Rishi Kapoor is also good. Rahul Khanna surprisingly and Giselle Monteiro unsurprisingly are the weak links in the cast.
Musically, LAK has got to be one of the best soundtracks of 2009, mixing melodious songs with thumping dance tracks effortlessly. I have an extreme affection for the "Chor Bazaari" video. "Dooriyaan" is another stellar number while "Main Kya Hoon" has a really intelligently-done music video.
Though not perfect, Love Aaj Kal deserves to be seen at least once. It is a funny and soulful romance with some strong moments and a nice performance from its male lead. Some may be turned off by its dialogue-heavy screenplay but it is also a very tight, no-nonsense film with little to no extraneous fat. So, yes, you should see it. Love Aaj Kal rates an 8.5/10.
