Alright people, read at your own risk. Like always, when I start writing I wish to make it succinct and by the time it is done, everything spirals out of control. By the end of this article I had gotten so tired and lost that it ends on a trashy note just like the movie. *vindictiveness flares* 😆
One of the side effects of watching IPKKND is you strive to make sense in all things senseless. I have not edited it and pasted it from gmail as such.
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SNAP. Oppressive times have called off their three month long courtship with my time. The onerous exams are finally done with. *wipes imaginary sweat on forehead* Phew. Now to those who inquired of my whatsapp status whether I was alive or no. Countrymen, I am alive.Now. And back with my fingers dancing on the keyboard to the crooning in my head.
*glee*
The prelude is disgusting, it's a farrago of electric guitars against a screeching siren of an ambulance. And then there is silence, an unheard turbulence in the invisible vapors above and so you get the idea that this post is pretty much a mumbo-jumbo of yours truly, who is still shivering due to post hiatus backlogs and not to mention a ridiculous February chill in the entire northern India.
Of all the things, articles, pending AHF updates, fantasizing about which had engulfed an appalling proportion of my study time during exams, this was least expected. It so happened one fine afternoon (exactly two days ago), I was blaring 'Piya aaye na' to suffocate my ear drum when I realized, I so badly wanted to place this lovely song into a knit story. And then letting go all my prejudices concerning the deplorable state of Hindi Cinema I decided against my better judgement to give a go to Ashiqui 2.
Now I reckon two scenarios. One that you have already seen this movie. Then reading this article wouldn't harm at all.
Two: You haven't seen this movie. There again reading this article wouldn't harm at all, for if you haven't seen Ashiqui 2 as of yet, I presume it's not your genre and you don't plan to watch it anyway.
So onwards.
I am almost always sure about two things before bracing myself to sit through a Butt Tent err, Bhatt Camp crop, one: the music will be awesome; two: it may not end as ' And they lived happily ever after.' A certain masochistic streak runs across this Butt Tent and it's ever growing breed of new cultivators (read directors like Mohit Suri, Kunal Deshmukh) who are expert at producing hybrid varieties of Hollywoodized desi cinema. Their movies don't have the usual Bolly masala for instance item songs (and I am thankful for that), over the top comedy, Taekwondo Bhangara and Go Go Horny Sigh rapping in the background (and a reliable source informs me he has been blabbering some bull shit about blue eyes). Never mind.
I cruise over to Youtube and thus begins a two hour seven minutes detour to looming heartbreak. Mohit Suri - the name displays beneath "directed by". Memories of Kangna Ranaut starer "Woh Lamhe" flood my vision and freak me out. I say calm down baby, the guy also directed Zeher and Raaz 2 and they had pretty much a happy end. The movie stars newbies Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor (but this ain't their debut) and the board has given it an /U certificate - rare sight to behold from the aforementioned production house! Aashiqui 2bears a stark resemblance with the 1973 Amitabh Bacchan- Jaya Bhaduri starer classic Abhiman which in turn was inspired by A star is born (1954 remade in 1976). Half way down the movie and I would have given my verdict that it's not just inspired but a straight lift from Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Abhiman, a movie yours truly reveres but wait, there is a difference. And this difference isn't staring into your face semantic difference, instead it's a subtle ideological and perspective step away from the 1973 version.
The curtain raises to a huge audience, I draw in a sharp breath as the low hum of a guitar sets the atmosphere.
Mujhko iraade de
Kasamein de, waade de
Meri duaaon ke ishaaron ko sahaare de
Singing sensation Rahul Jaikar 'RJ' (Aditya Roy Kapoor) is the star of yesterday. He has seen it all, had it all. Name, fame, money, unprecedented success, stardom, tell tale lifestyle - girls, alcohol, fans, well wishers, a few friends and many enemies. From a distance Rahul is a dream. For everything came to him a plenty and just so easily. He didn't have to struggle, he didn't have to battle for survival. He didn't earn it, he just got it. And when life's been so easy, do you ever realize the worth of what you have? Consider the difference between the doll your parents gifted you when you came first in the class and the one that they gave just to pamper you. You treasure the first for it reminds you of your labor, your hard work and your accomplishment and the second may be found after a week or so chucked away, perhaps broken, for it did not hold much of an importance apart from that on one particular day, mum and dad were extra kind. And just like that, success, with the readiness it came begins to slip away from RJ without him realizing it.
Ignorant of his impending doom RJ persists with his abominable ways, he drinks till he is no more but a vessel that carries all and sundry forms and brands of alcohol. Till his existence merely banks on to quench this never ending thirst for just one more drop of the toxic elixir to moist his lips and drain down his parched throat. In all here's a Justin Bieber character.
For a superficial viewer Rahul's extreme alcoholism doesn't seem to add up. But if you really wish to make sense a little thought gives you a plausible answer. Loneliness. On two occasions you find Rahul speak to his Father - a voice on the other side of the phone. Apparently Rahul has had no mother figure in his life, his father is a wealthy businessman settled in New York who never had much time to spare for his only son. Ironically the father seems to understand his son really well, he can fathom implications of his silence, his unsaid words, his heart's deepest feelings and yet he's far from the truth that Rahul is an absolute mess. Or maybe he knows but chooses to ignore it.
Loneliness creeps like a deadly ghost upon Rahul, in a world where so many profess to be close to him he finds himself alone. His demons magnify, the easy success mocks at him and he begins to question, did he really deserve it?
His inner demons chase him down, alcohol takes a toll over him and he begins to falter. Those writhing in envy take advantage of his weakness and make him bear it in public. Short tempered RJ needs little instigation in his drunken state to break into a fist fight. It happens on stage, it happens in between performances, his temperament becomes a major set back. His voice loses a bit of luster and he is left with few songs in movies and fewer stage shows. Biggies fear and prefer to avoid the menace of hoodlum RJ. Today he's left with some small town stage shows after inhaling the air of a glorious yesterday.
Khwabon ki baarishon ko
Mausam ke paimane de
apne karam ki kar adaayen
kar de idhar bhi toh nigaahen
Sun raha hai na tu
Ro raha hun main
sun raha hai na tu...
kyon ro raha hun main...
Amid his mess, RJ has one genuine friend (let's call him pal for I cannot recall the name) who also is his manager, who endeavors to find him work, keeps his falling sanity levels in check. The flick kick starts with RJ downing bottles, giving some absurd drunken philosophies on life and eventually delaying a show. He finally makes an appearance and soon gets into a brawl. The show crashes, the organizer slapped with refund-the-ticket-money and the dumbass downs two more bottles and goes on a road rage trip. Minutes later a girl comes in front of his car and the stars above save her in the nick of time.RJ shuffles down his car spitting "oh shits and sorrys" while the gal curses about the waste of 46 rs worth vegetables. This is Arohi Shirke, played by the gorgeous Shraddha Kapoor and I am left to wonder is this pretty damsel indeed Shakti Kapoor's progeny?
Following a brief confrontation Arohi saunters off to her business and Mr. Bewada drives in hunt for some more carousing. He knocks on bar doors and finally ends up at the last resort, a relatively cheap bar that offers a late night booze. Here his ears are perked by a song which is his own making on surprising female vocals.
Waqt bhi thehera hai
Kaise kab yeh hua
Kaash tu aise aaye
Jaise koi dua
To say that Rahul is mesmerized is an understatement. He is smitten with the voice hands down. I have particularly liked ARK's expressions here, the sheer bewilderment first then a sheepish realization that she has actually rendered the song better than him and his honest acceptance to that is pleasing. Rahul immediately recognizes the raw talent, his self deprecating sentiments take a back seat and he sees an opportunity to put to use his wasted life for someone's benefit. Rahul is hopeful all over again. He pursues the girl, who is beyond sense of reality to come face to face with her idol. Rahul convinces her of her hidden talent that needs a single tiny spark of opportunity to unleash it's dazzling glory. He asks her to leave the filthy bar, takes her to Bombay and promises to find get her a break.
Arohi's family - she, father and mother are poor people. They live in a chawl and are poor enough to struggle each day for two square meals. Rahul talks with all his contacts, an uncle who owns a music producing company, he pesters him to give the new girl just one chance, at least hear her once and he'd surely be convinced that the girl is a star. Star? Uncle questions."Star were you Rahul, jiski awaz sunte hi bus mann kahe seeti mar"
It so happens that Rahul finally convinces uncle. With eagerness of a kid with a brand new lolly pop, Rahul dials Arohi's number to pass her the good news but alas, the hired muscle of the producer whose stage show had gone awry with Rahul's antics make for a villainous entry and smash Rahul down till bones and tendons can't be differentiated. He's admitted under intensive care, Pal makes sure the news doesn't reach media. Arohi's finances dwindle to a level where her mother has to sell even her mangal sutra to make the two ends meet. Arohi tries Rahul's phone relentlessly and for two months she's answered by Pal who refuses her. Pal is concerned about Rahul's declining career and disapproves the idea of helping Arohi find her mark. He lies to Arohi that Rahul is out of country and later stops picking up her phone. There on the hospital bed Rahul strives to raise his head and the first time he's able to utter words he asks feebly yet with an unknown bout of energy, "Arohi...did she call?" "No, not yet." replies pal. Rahul sinks back in the patient bed.
Har khata ki hoti hai koi na koi saza..
gham likhen hon kismat main toh ban hi jaati vajah
Arohi is heartbroken and pissed at Rahul. Big time. She goes from door to door in search of work and finally gets another bar singer job. It's heart wrenching, a scene where she is crooning to an audience and three men across a table wave a note at her. That's her income and she leaves her place to grab it and instead they grab her wrist. The smile leave her face and she pales. They laugh and jeer as she struggles to free her hand. It's full in public and no body comes to help her, quite like what happens in real life. Sigh.
Meanwhile story proceeds and they discover each other again. Rahul is mad at pal upon learning the truth, he fights and breaks all ties with his only friend. Pal has nothing to say except that it was just out of concern for Rahul. That instead of reviving his career Rahul is creating a rival for himself. But for Rahul it holds all together a different meaning. "Roti ussi ko milni chahiye jisse uski bhookh ho." Arohi has that passion that flare which he perhaps lacked, she is hungry for that sweet taste of success that he had relished sans sweat. He goes out of his way again, finds her, gets her back. Uncle hears her and is mightily impressed. Arohi gets the break. Rahul takes her to his studio, the instruments, the systems see the light of the day again. He brushes them diligently and with a zeal that even the girl doesn't have, he passionately trains her. Polishes her rougher edges, gives her all the music he has ever known. When Arohi gushes about his voice he reminds her that it's her training. When she gapes at his awards, he tells her she'll have many more. Gradually the strings of their hearts too begin to strum along the rhythm that surrounds them. They fall in love. And then the big day comes. Arohi becomes a sensation. While her career rises, Rahul's keeps on the steady decline. Alcohol still remains his greatest companion. It is the night of filmfare awards. Rahul watches Arohi win, he smiles and orders another drink and overhears the conversation on the next seat. Two men unaware of his presence laugh at Arohi's figure on TV, "Look" they say "Who made her, that sloshed chicken Rahul Jaykar. I know what it's going to be for them. The girl will forever be grateful and he'd use her. He'd use her to fight his demons, he'd use her to fight his downfall, he'd use her as second to alcohol, and when drunk to neck, drowning in self hate he'll hit her. And when the effects of alcohol will show she'd be reduced to cleaning his puke. That's gonna be Arohi Shirke's future." Rahul groans and turns away. A knife is twisted in his gut, a fear clasps his heart, what if this becomes their reality. His eventual ruin, ruins Arohi in turn. He runs away. Away from Arohi, away from their budding love lest she be drowned with him in abysmal hell.
Drunk he walks on the edge of the terrace. Arohi comes running to him. Begs him, fights with him threatens that if he leaves her, she'll leave music. That's the trump card. One thing Rahul can't bear is to keep her away from music, something she worships.
Tere liye hi jiya main
Khud ko jo yun de diya hai
teri wafa ne mujhko samhala
saare ghamon ko dil se nikaala
tere saath mera hai naseeb juda
tujhe paake adhoora na raha
With Arohi Rahul begins his journey towards a make over. Pal reconciles with him. It's heartening the two friends weep at each others shoulder and with all his boyish charm Rahul asks Pal, is there any work for him for he isn't single anymore. He has her now. Pal is elated. He tells him with some hesitation that the movie isn't a big one. A small budget movie but things will be better again in future. Rahul hardly cares, work is work, nothing big, nothing small. Rahul reaches in record time for the new recording, prepares himself, gives his best shot but the day just isn't his. His pitch goes flat in one transition of beats. He cannot quite catch it. He is willing to take as many retakes it requires never losing heart but there the mistake repeats and the technicians giggle. A derogatory smirk comes on their bloody faces. Something dies in Rahul, it's called hope. He leaves the studio. And once again sinks in self pity. "I am finished yar..pee pee ke gale ke saare taar jala diye. Nothing is left now. I am finished."
Alcohol is back. And this time it's worse. His bank balance trips and soon his accounts are sealed. Arohi tries hard. She takes him away, away from the madding crowd, she revives his broken spirits just as he had when she had nothing, she misses her assignments, recordings, he staggers, his body revolts and begs for the fiery liquid but he controls, for her, for their love...
Rahul's path is met with constant humiliation. Like the pizza delivery boy asking "sir autograph" when he takes out the pen, the boy doesn't hesitate once before saying, "sir madam's autograph.., not yours" (reminds one of Abhiman where the photographer asks Amitabh Bacchan to step away while he clicks Jaya Bacchan's) He bears for long, but the never ending mockery breaks his resolve. The hurting "Yeh bewada phir aa gaya. Kitne manhooz lagte hain yeh star log flop hone ke baad" when he goes to visit Arohi in a recordng studio. Rahul downs alcohol again. To an extent that he's left penniless. All drained. He reaches home, ransacks from drawers to dustbins screaming "Sab khatam ho gaya" and last of self respect dies and a new self hate monster is born when he silently steals Arohi's wallet to barter for more golden liquid. He staggers back to where she is dreamily and tries to reach her. She stands on stage, she's being honored and here down, the guards don't allow him to even enter the premises. "I am with her" he tells them, they pay no heed. They throw him away. Rahul loses it again. Trash he throws, yells, abuses, screams and flings chairs, upturns tables, while guards come to grab him. He kicks, he yells, "I am a star, how dare you not allow me in, arre bahut dekhin hain aisi partiyan maine, itne gaane diye maine inhe, hit pe hit, hit pe hit aur ab, yahan nahin ghus sakte, wahan nahin ghus sakte, arre saale tum hote kaun ho RJ ko rokne wale..." in all this raucous Arohi climbs down, running to him, but he doesn't see her coming he hurls his arm to one side in irritation and she is hit. She falls on ground, her head bleeds and Rahul stands there, face ashen, lifeless staring at what he had done in furry. He had hit her. He dies for the first time.
A night later he is found in police station. Charged with drunken driving he had hit someone. Late at night, Arohi comes scrambling to the station with Uncle. Uncle offers to speak to the lawyer but Arohi can't see Rahul in custody for an entire night. She pleads, begs in front of the police man and hysterically takes off her bangles and earings before they can arrange legally for the bail. Rahul watches her helplessness for which he is the soul cause. He dies the second time. They bring him home. She tucks him affectionately but he can't sleep. He hears her conversation with Uncle. He hears her sob, he hears her love, his heart cries when she says, if he can't leave alcohol then be it, I too will become alcoholic. We both will stagger, fall and support each other. Drink till doom, drink till hell and I'll wait, for I know one day he'll come and say, hey I am tired of alcohol but not tired of your love. That day will be the end of out trial, that day will be our new beginning. Her optimism is heart breaking, if alcohol is his weakness, he is her weakness. Such is the herculean magnitude of guilt, self inflicted hate and pity that he dies this night in many pieces. He realizes that for his love Arohi Shirke will become another Rahul Jaykar. No, he could not let her do that to herself. The morning sun rises, the new light beckons, he finds her asleep on a couch downstairs. She wakes up at the slight rumbling, he smiles at her and promises that he'll give up alcohol once and for all. He'd join a gym, strive to keep healthy and not lose hope. Arohi thanks the gods above for this day and wishes him luck. He takes a long wistful look at her. She believes him! How was she so hopeful? So optimistic?
An hour later Rahul walks on the shaky bridge, the risky barricading - net of confused yellow and black, a bottle in his hand - his last. He stands on the edge of the barricading, facing the early sun, he visions a setting sun, Arohi shading it in a white salwar kameez with studs across the neckline and hem she smiles and millions holding their breath for the thrill that will descend upon them. She deserved it. He smiles a far away yet victorious smile and his balance tips. Green water beneath enswathes him, air bubbles out... instead of living on pieces, dying in bits and pieces life finally and fully escapes him. Or it's the other way round?
f**k
FUCCCKKK
Rahul's body is found hours later. Arohi cries bitter tears of betrayal. "Coward" Coward. She calls him. Packs her bags ad decides to leave it all for good. Pal comes to her that day. Asks her what love did she have for him then if she was leaving that for which he gave his life? That he never dreamt of something so passionately as he did to see her become the biggest star of the nation. Would Arohi let his sacrifice go waste?
It's another evening and the sun is about to set. Arohi stands on the stage wearing a white salwar kameez with studs along the neck line and hem. She smiles at the millions who gaze at her in adoration. She croons his dream...
Later they ask for her autograph, she signs...
with love, Arohi Rahul Jaikar
Such is the end of this yet another unfulfilled love story from Butt Tent. I wonder whether to kill the hero 5 minutes before end is the Bhatt formula of delivering a block buster? Remember the two Jannats anyone? With this comes the end to my long drab, boring, yawn inducing analysis of the movie. Now that you all know what heck I am taking about let's have the highs and lows.
Highs
1. Music. Butt Tent bonfire and carnival have this rare and uncannily brilliant ear for picking up creme de la creme of musical pieces. From artists to songs, a Vishesh film has to have a Vishesh music. Tum hi ho was the biggest chart buster of the year though the movie has many other good songs to flaunt. My favorite though is Piya aaye na. KK's vocals are to die for as always. *swoons*
Lows
1. The movie lacks originality and novelty of content. It's so much deja vu, been there done that kind. Especially if you have seen Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Abhiman which I say, is a much superior movie.
2. The acting. The performance level is generally low. Shraddha Kapoor is too meek and dull most of the time. Scratch that. She is dull, for the entire duration.
Aditya Roy Kapoor is good in light hearted scenes, but he isn't convincing in the intense ones. ARK has potential no doubt but I have seen angst being portrayed so much better that I am bound to remark that he could have done the intense scenes a tad better. Also he doesn't pull a very convincing drunk act. At times he's jumpy and he sounds so fresh as if he came out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth. No dude, when you are drunk, it shows. There is a certain drowsiness in your eyes and your voice turns a little hoarse. No you need not drawl like Devdas but still that much amount of alcohol in your system is bound to show.
3. The chemistry between leads does have it's moments but is mostly passable as juvenile. I remember a scene where Arohi makes his shave wearing his shirt. Reminded me of B grade romance novels. XD
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Edited by cineraria - 11 years ago
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