Saawariya - 'something different'

Rating : 5.5 /10

I am filled with mixed emotions after this movie. But lets start with this , that the movie wont work and I am sure SLB knows that. There are several reasons for this assumption.

The movie is set in a wonder-land where the sun never rises or its rays are seen only to give a spotlight or aesthetic effect. Its also infested with women in the trade of flesh! One such woman is Gulabo ( Rani) who narrates this Fairy Tale! Its about this guy who comes to this dark town and falls head over heals for a giggling maiden. So this guy comes and settles in this town. He has no background, he just exists. He is this happy go lucky guy who believes in making others happy. He is a musician and one night he gets bowled over by our simple frolicking beauty. The story is about how he tries to woo her, his jealousy, his theatrics and his grief.

Ranbir as the jumping jack, over expressive hero has done a more than decent job. I wont blame him a single bit for mimicking a Monkey in most scenes . He had to do it, boss. The director was weilding his stick. And Sonam has practically sleep walked oops giggled through the role. Her role is an insignificant one and she just has to giggle or cry in most scenes. But she looks really really sweet and I am sure we will see her in many more films. So will Ranbir, the fact that he has over done most of the bits proves that he has talent but needs control.

Now, why it wont work. SLB has basically tried something different. Its like an experiment, but unfortunately it wont work. This is not a movie, its a Broadway Act. Its a musical which would suit the theaters rather than the movies. The world he creates is picture perfect but plastic, his characters are over expressive and hyper but seem fake, his story (which is inspired from an english classic) is a romantic tragedy which most wont be able to digest. But I really appreciate the effort, infact some scenes are really creative and show true mark of a genius. 2 songs - Pari and Yoon Shabnami steal the show. The picture perfect setting, the choreography, the music, the performance in these songs, and the emotions are fabulous. The first half is slow and would really get on ur nerves, by the time you reach the second half you are expecting nothing less theatrical but this half has a flow, its got a direction, its got class and is infact good. I liked it because I am sucker for different kind of a cinema and I appreciate SLB's try, but I am sure most people would be like "Kya Bundal - pakao movie hai". Actually SLB has become a little overconfident with this movie. He just focuses on Picturous frames and postcard images - you wonder why a girl would lie on a small boat with an umrella while it rains and the boat glides under a well lit bridge - ofcourse for that postcard shot!

The performances of Zora Sehgal and Rani Mukherjee are really awesome and the music is a sure shot hit. It really gels with the unreal background and theatrical set up. Overall an average film which is mega-hyped and hence falls flat on its face. Watch it only if u have already bought a very expensive ticket or you want to watch something different for a change - A real theatrical musical - a roman-tic tragedy!