I Hate Luv Storys - Movie Review

Cast: Imran Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sameer Dattani
Director: Punit Malhotra

I Hate Luv Storys – Fully Fun-tastic!

What is love? I Corinthians chapter 13 of the Bible gives a brief definition. William Shakespeare tried to decrypt it with his various poems and plays. And our Bollywood film makers are forever trying to explain it!

But I'll tell you what. Love is one helluva thing that we can never fully get right about. And certainly watching this movie isn't going to enlighten you any more on this topic. Nor is it going to miraculously convert an 'unbeliever- in- love' to a 'super-mushy softie'. Nope! No can Do!!

In, I Hate Luv Storys, we have J (Imran Khan) (which seems to be the 'it' name in Bollywood these days. Remember Hrithik Roshan in Kites?) who doesn't believe in love. We have Simran (Sonam Kapoor) who does. And why wouldn't she for she has her perfect love story to corroborate her beliefs. Yupp! She is engaged to her childhood sweetheart Raj (Sameer Dattani). They are so compatible, they even dress up in colours that match!

J is as messed a man can be. A perfect contradiction to perfect Simran. He's always late for work. He's a boozard. AND - he trashes women once he's bedded them. Nope! Commitment is not this fella's cup of coffee.

However bad boy J pushes Simran to give a thought for guilty pleasure. She falls head over heels for him- the ultimate romantic that she is! However, as she does this she tips over her aptly perched life. But does she rebuild her life from scratch or does it just come crashing down is something you all have to watch out for.

The whole movie is full of cliches, straight and indirect lifts from the better Bollywood fare and very stupid or illogical scenes that make you go – how bizarre!

You'll only get to wonder what sense the film made, after the screening gets over because the whole time the movie is on…there's so much fun, half the time you're laughing, half the time, well you're smirking! With the very contemporary dialogues and fresh –in-your-face- sarcasm, the film's comedy is pure pleasure. Period.

The music is not breathtaking but catchy and fun! There are a lot of adult jokes cracked so no taking your kids for over-sensitive parents.

The girl getting the very trashy guy to clean up his act is something that touches a chord. What about the girl? Well, she finally learns to let go and have fun in her life. Also, she learns that 'perfect' does not mean 'happy'. So true. About time we accept flaws in us and our loved ones.

Sonam Kapoor is lissome and sweet. She gets to play her age, which works so wonderfully for her! Her strength is in her fragile features, which she uses excellently to express her emotions. Imran Khan is just adorable! Some may call him plastic but it just seems he is not into hyper-histrionics. He has his own unique, light style and it's charming!

Sameer Dattani is forgettable. Sameer Soni is funny as the whacky director. Bruna Abdulla sizzles. Ketki Dave is a class act. Kavin Dave is super-cool as Imran's super-sized pal. Aamir Ali is well-tuned. Avantika Malik's blink and you miss cameo is sweet. Anju Mahendru's cameo is sharp.

Let me get this straight- of you're looking for logic in love you'll never find it. This film so totally symbolifies love. 'Cause there's no logic in the film either! Ha ha. But just like love, if this film clicks with you, you'll end up with a warm, fuzzy feeling … you will smile, laugh and glow with glee!

Rating: ***1/2

Reporter and Author: Susan Jose