Director Zoya Akhtar chooses the latter path in her debut film, which is supposedly based on the inner workings of the Hindi film industry.
What's it's about: When you're closely associated with any subject or medium, you could be brutally honest about it or choose to be superficial. Director Zoya Akhtar chooses the latter path in her debut film, which is supposedly based on the inner workings of the Hindi film industry. Instead, it does nothing more than simply scratch the surface without really delving into the intricacies of the filmi duniya. The film is essentially about two aspiring actors Sona (Konkana Sen) and Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) who are struggling to make it big in Bollywood. They become friends and soon start seeing each other. All's well till he gets the big break. Then, things change. Stardom brings its share of burdens for Vikram, while Sona wakes up to the fact that she might never make it. And then the climax unfolds just like we expect it to.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
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What's good: The film opens with great promise the opening credits superbly roll against the backdrop of 'unseen' people who are part of the film-making process. The tailors, the light-men, the canteenwallas, billboard painters and the like are captured beautifully in their respective roles. Zoya prepares you from the first frame for a glimpse into Bollywood and how it functions. From the acting schools to the casting of actors (hardly by merit) is all very authentic. The screenplay shines in bits and places especially when the director is trying to convey the angst, frustration, despair, insecurity and joy of the myriad characters.u00a0 The part where all the top actors (Abhishek, John, Akshaye etc) refuse the role turned down by Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan) is brilliant.
Zoya scores in the depiction of her characters the loud producer (Rishi Kapoor), the clueless director (Sanjay Kapoor), the over-ambitious star-mother (Dimple Kapadia) and the bimbette star-daughter (Isha Sharvani) are all caricatures but still a treat. Performance-wise, Farhan Akhtar proves he's no one-film-wonder and a talent to watch for. Watch him in the scene where he breaks down after a fight with his friend or even as he transforms from simple to smooth. Hrithik Roshan is super-swell on the retina and simply charming. His one scene with Karan Johar where he enviously glances at a new star-in-the-making is a treat. Rishi Kapoor (love his shiny shirts and kerchiefs) is first rate and Sanjay Kapoor displays a flair for comedy (don't miss his hats, Mr Ghai).u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
What's bad: The biggest drawback of the film is its script that doesn't rise above the predictable. We don't mind the archetypal filmi characters but Zoya puts them in situations that are expected and mundane. We know Sona's producer-godfather is eventually going to dump her; we know Vikram's ambitions will get the better of him; we know Vikram's first film will be a success; we can guess each and every situation that Zoya has planned for us. So where's the uniqueness? Probably restricted by her own affinity towards the business, Zoya doesn't risk getting into the murkyu00a0 side of the profession. She even shies away from showing that Sona is sleeping with the producer. And that's why even the vast array of stars she adds in the film cannot save its soul. Vikram's sudden turnaround after one conversation with Shah Rukh Khan is unconvincing. The climax seems like an echo of Page 3. Music (except for one song) is a bore and the film needed drastic trimming.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
What to do: Watch only if you're interested in a carefully camouflaged viewpoint of the film industry.u00a0u00a0
Rating: **1/2
Dir: Zoya Akhtar
Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Isha Sharvani, Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia
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