| More from I Hate Luv Storys |
| Imran promotes 'I Hate Love Storys' |
| 'I Hate Love Storys' is a tribute to love: Sonam |
Enter, the new art director, Simran Sharma (Sonam Kapoor) who eats, sleeps and is drunk heady on ishq-vishq and all that goes with it. A diehard romantic, she even has a perfect boyfriend called Raj (Samir Dattani) who gifts her a white chrysanthemum, each time he meets her. But will the pristine white flowers score over Jay's crazy red roses, and crazier ways? Keep guessing....
Movie Review: First things first. Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor make an interesting pair. After the Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif coupling, this seems to be the most refreshing jodi that's jaunting and jiving on screen. Nice chemistry. Nice tu-tu-main-main (sparring). Nice physical compatibility. And a well-balanced emotional quotient. Kudos to the two of them to carry forth a film which once again doesn't really have anything to boast about in the 'storys' department.
Thematically, I Hate Luv Storys, is extremely simplistic, uni-layered and terribly predictable. Imran and Sonam do begin on the we-hate-each-other note, with Imran squirming at any and everything that's filmy while Sonam swears by it all: pink teddys, bunches of blooms, candle-light dinners, Karan Johar films, cuddly Cupid's bows, shooting stars, soppy dialogues and all that made-for-each-other mush. But we all know the way the wind blows, from the word go. Mush shall rule, and how! For all the digs that producer Karan Johar allows on himself (filmmaker Samir Soni is actually a spoof on KJo), we know the film's going to end up reiterating KJo -- and all he translates into onscreen -- as king.
So, Jay Dhingra, who likes girls, but hates girly stuff, is gonna end up crying like a girl very soon. Of course, first he must ridicule Simran for all her 'stoopid' misconceptions about lurrrv, including her boyfriend Raj who besides being a frumpish bore, wears 'fugly' shirts too. But it doesn't take long for the tables to be turned, twice over. On the one hand, Simran discovers her penchant for Mr Wrong (quirky, irreverent Imran), rather than Mr Right (politically correct Samir). And on the other hand, sceptic Imran succumbs to the love bug, red roses, rain-drenched songs, airport encounters, et all. Only, their turn-overs are mistimed. So that, when Simran says 'haan', jokey Jay says 'nah!' and when Jay wanna say 'yes, yes, yes!', it's a punctilious let's-be-just-friends from the sobered Simran.
Kya khali-peeli confusion, all this babalog blah. But hey, blah can be timepass too. Specially when it has loads of icing on it. Debutant director Punit Malhotra layers his first film with oodles of sugar coating: great locales, mast music (Vishal-Shekhar), a yummy 'n yuppy lead pair, some laugh-out-loud moments and a lot of laugh-on-ourself sequences that ridicule the romcoms that roll out of the Bollywood factory (there are jibes on almost all of Karan Johar films), only to finally reiterate them as pills the public wants. On the performance front, watch out for Imran's endless emoticons (eyebrow lifts, smirks, smileys) and his pronounced pout. And for Sonam's svelte form and pleasant screen presence.
Candy floss floats. Popcorn rules. Go, chew on it.
A word about:
Performances: Cool. Nothing to boast about, but quite watchable, both Sonam and Imran. Together, they share a lively chemistry that keeps the fun rolling. Samir Soni's spoof on Karan Johar-Sanjay Leela Bhansali is cute. Samir Dattani is suitably stiff. He's supposed to be a bore, no.
Story: Punit Malhotra's story is ekdum simple and predictable. But then, when was romance supposed to be rocket science!
Dialogues: Very ordinary. Sometimes corny.
Cinematography: Ayananka Bose creates a visually pretty film.
Music: Vishal-Shekhar create a peppy score that goes well with the pop tenor of the film. Watch out for the title track, Bin Tere and Bahara.
Styling: Manish Malhotra's costumes are the high point: uber cool and urban chic. Lot's of 'fugly' shirts juxtaposed against fundoo Tees, with crazy graffiti.
Inspiration: All of Karan Johar films!
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I Hate Luv Storys Review – You Call this Junk a Movie?
Mon dieu, when will these Bollywood mongrels put a lid on the garbage they keep shoving our way ceaselessly
Total garbage
To employ a sexual metaphor, we'd describe I Hate Luv Storys as an instance of premature ejaculation.
Depressing, disgusting and frustrating, we tell ya.
Is there no relief at all for us from Karan Johar's troupe of gibbering monkeys?
Poor Response
For the opening show of the trash at a theater on the East Coast, there were just three people.
Pitiful.
Stupid Story
Yes, we've said this a million times.
But we'll say it one more time – Indian movie-makers just can't get hold of a gripping story. Just beyond their pea-sized brains.
I Hate Luv Storys hews to the time-honored tradition of hackneyed, jackass Bollywood tales.
Girl (Sonam Kapoor) with a perfect, steady boy-friend believes in Bollywood-style love and romance while the boy (Imran Khan) is adamant that this love thing is all balderdash.
Of course, in true Bollywood ishtyle the girl Simran soon falls in love with our all-love-is-nonsense boy J, who rebuffs her. Before you can say Yeh kya bakwas (what rubbish is this), the all-love-is-nonsense boy falls in love with the girl whose turn it is to spurn him.
All the while, Simran's besotted boyfriend Raj (the talented Sameer Dattani) is, of course, waiting patiently in the background for his girl.
Of course, all's well in the end for Simran and J (alas, not for the paying audience or for Raj).
Is this the kind of shit that gives you a hard-on or if you are a gal an urgent twitch between your thighs.
By the way, we found the movie-within-the-movie tiresome.
Come on guys, let's use our imagination, shall we. Or are we completely bereft of ideas that we stoop to spewing out such drivel.
Just in case you're curious, the director and writer of this crap-show is a bloke by the name of Punit Malhotra.
Sonam's Fine, As Usual
We've made no secret of our fondness for Sonam Kapoor.
The girl is easily the best Indian actress in the below-35 age group. We liked her in Delhi 6 and to some extent in her first movie Sawariya too.
In I Hate Luv Storys, Sonam once again acquits herself well but the story is so crappy, so boring, so hackneyed that even if she were to shed all her clothes she wouldn't be able to salvage this nonsense.
Imran Khan – OK, Kinda
Imran Khan, who's had two flops lately (Kidnap and Luck) didn't impress us as much as Sonam but he's tolerable.
But what's with the funny walk, kid?
Samir Soni, who plays the film director Veer of the movie-in-the-movie, is a decent actor as is the guy who plays J's buddy Kunal.
Don't Waste Your Time
Sure, since it's a movie from Karan Johar's stable, one has to temper one's enthusiasm and rein in expectation of any quality stuff given his hopeless record of late.
The music was no great shakes either. As for the picturization of the songs, pedestrian stuff.
Eminently forgettable. Even the number filmed in New Zealand.
To say that we were disappointed with I Hate Luv Storys would be a gross understatement.
Unless a miracle happens, Sonam Kapoor will get her third consecutive flop in I Hate Luv Storys.
Folks, don't even consider watching this piece unless you have a desperate itch to part with your money and delight in squandering your time on trash.
Come on guys, extend your middle finger to this garbage. It deserves nothing less.
The first thing that attracts you to I HATE LUV STORYS is its title. Let's face it, we adore love stories... at least I do. We idolise the characters decades after the movies have come and gone. The songs that come on our lips instantly while playing a game of antakshri are romantic songs as well. In fact, the biggest moneyspinners, let's face it, have been love stories, right? So how can we 'hate' a love story?
No matter how mushy or cheesy they are, we find love stories irresistible because of the tremendous rush we experience at the end. Some of us are big suckers for love sagas, aren't we? That's precisely the reason why this title [I HATE LUV STORYS] nagged me no end every time I watched the promo of this film.
Helmed by first-timer Punit Malhotra, I HATE LUV STORYS is typical candyfloss romance with a story that's not jaw-droppingly different, let me forewarn you. But if you're young at heart or a diehard and hopeless romantic, you'd lap up I HATE LUV STORYS like a kid laps up his fav candy.
| Write your own movie review of I Hate LUV Storys |
Final word? The makers have never claimed that I HATE LUV STORYS will change the face of Hindi cinema. Nor did they ever claim that I HATE LUV STORYS will change the mindset of the viewer towards romantic films. So let's sit back and enjoy the fun ride. This one's by the youth, for the youth. It's this age-group that would come out smiling, cheering and rooting for this prem kahani.
'I hate love stories' is the maxim Jay [Imran Khan] lives by. But as an assistant director to Veer [Samir Soni], the most famous romantic film-maker of Indian film industry, Jay has little option but to live with larger than life, glossy, cinematic love on an everyday basis. Things only get worse when he is made to work under the new production designer on the film, Simran [Sonam Kapoor], with whom he shares the strangest first encounter.
Simran loves love stories, so much so that even her life has begun to resemble one. With her ideal job and the perfect boyfriend Raj [Samir Dattani], she lives a blissful, dreamy life. One that is rudely interrupted by Jay's cynicism.
Writer-director Punit Malhotra wins Round 1 by casting the right actors in the roles of Jay and Simran. In fact, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that the casting is the trump card of this film. But what Punit ought to know by now is that every story ought to have a strong grip to keep your attention arrested for the next two hours. In this case, the film rests on a waferthin plot, with not much movement in the story in the first hour. In fact, the story barely moves in the first part.
Yes, post-interval, the story does gather momentum and though you're well aware of the journey and what the culmination will be like, you don't mind the ride because you can't take your eyes off Imran and Sonam. Also, a love story works if one pines for the on-screen lovers and in I HATE LUV STORYS, you genuinely want the duo to sort things out, which means that you're involved in their lives. Even the finale - it won't be fair on my part to reveal how this movie concludes - may be filmy or cliched, but let's face it, it works.
Let me draw parallels with another love story, also starring Imran Khan. Recall the finale of JAANE TU YA JAANE NA, which had Imran riding a horse to reach his sweetheart [Genelia] at the airport. I distinctly recall, a lot of people found the end bizzare and rightly so. Can you imagine anyone galloping to the international airport in Mumbai? But I was truly surprised when I learnt that the youth were whistling and clapping all through. The finale is different here [no horses, please] and you exit the auditorium with a smile on your face.
Director Punit Malhotra is heavily inspired by Mills & Boon novels and several Bollywood films... love stories all. But like I pointed out earlier, Punit needs to polish his writing skills, although the director in him bails the writer out and takes the film to a different level. The sequences between Imran and Sonam are well penned, but the ones between Sonam and her parents or Sonam and Samir Dattani are half-baked. Directorially, Punit shows super-confidence in moulding the two actors in their respective parts, so much so that you get sucked into Jay and Simran's world after a while.
A love story ought to be embellished with a lilting score - that's a compulsion - and Vishal-Shekhar are in true form this time. The score is trendy, energetic and beyond fantastic and what's more, it's already a rage. In fact, the musical score only takes the movie a step ahead. Ditto for Salim-Sulaiman's background score, which matches the mood to the T. Ayananka Bose's cinematography is awesome. The ace DoP proved his credentials in KITES recently and with I HATE LUV STORYS, he should find himself entrenched in the top bracket. The styling [Manish Malhotra] is top notch.
Imran enacts his part effortlessly. Though the role doesn't demand histrionics, you keep reacting to Imran because of the magnetism he radiates. The devilish streak in his character is sure to appeal to the youth. Besides, Imran has been photographed and presented very well. Sonam is a revelation. From salwars [SAAWARIYA, DELHI 6] to skirts in I HATE LUV STORYS, Sonam finally gets a role that does justice to her as an actress. The ease and class with which she carries off the glam look is fantastic. She's like a whiff of fresh air and you actually wonder, is she the same girl from SAAWARIYA and DELHI 6? In fact, I HATE LUV STORYS will only multiply Imran and Sonam's fan base manifold.
Samir Dattani is decent, although his role gets sidelined as the story moves forward. Samir Soni's character reminds you of a certain hi-profile director and he plays the part extremely well. Kavin Dave, as Imran's buddy, is first-rate and steals the show in several scenes. Aamir Ali is perfect, while Pooja Ghai doesn't get scope to deliver. Bruna Abdullah looks sensuous and adds to the glam quotient. Ketaki Dave [Sonam's mother] is wasted. Anju Mahendru [Imran's mother] is adequate.
On the whole, I HATE LUV STORYS is a young and vibrant love story with tremendous appeal for the yuppies. The fresh pairing and the on-screen electrifying chemistry, the lilting musical score and the magical moments in the film should attract its target audience - the youth - in hordes. If you're young or young at heart, this one's for you!
The plot: Girl loves love stories, Boy hates them.
Girl loves Boy, Boy doesn't love back.
Boy loves Girl, Girl doesn't love back.
Do Girl and Boy write their own love story?
The backdrop of the film is novel. The lead actor and actress play assistant director (Jay played by Imran) and art director (Simran played by Sonam) adding a newness and uniqueness to the film.
The good: Sonam looks angelic in what definitely is her best act to date. The actress delivers confidently in the first half of the film. Her character quietens down in the second half as the tale switches lanes and focuses on Imran's 'izhaar and iqraar' of pyaar. Imran fits the bill as the causal stud and looking his fittest and most heroic yet.
The picturesque locations of New Zealand in the second half of the film are captivating. The soundtrack is easy on the ears and songs that may not have initially been automatic favourites are sure to catch on once audiences see them on screen, such as Bahara and Sadka.
Manish Malhotra's styling of the lead pair is sure to set trends in the upcoming months with Sonam's chiffon saris and Imran's printed tees.
Special mention must be made to Kavin Dave known for his work in the television series 'Rishta.com.' He plays Imran's friend and confidant and is the film's scene stealer with his witty banter and amusingly hilarious t-shirts.
The Ummm...: The film moves simultaneously on two tracks. One is the Sonam – Imran love story and the other a behind-the-scenes perspective on the filmy duniya. This is where the film flatters as it isn't able to fully convey both aspects well.
The narrative of the film doesn't demonstrate a progression in Jay and Simran's love-hate, hate-love, love-love story.
The verdict: I Hate Luv Storys is a likeable and enjoyable summer flick infused with freshness, comedy and romance. It's an honest attempt to pay homage to the all-time classic love stories, although overall the film itself falls short of being one. It's a dekho from us thanks to the fun and fresh factor!
By Guneet Wadera - Filmicafe.com
| By Roshni Mulchandani - BollySpice.com 1 July 2010 Classic Bollywood love stories have created clichs that we have come to adore. Now when any star runs through a meadow of yellow sunflowers, you immediately think Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. And of course, you can't imagine any snowy Swiss mountain without a chiffon sari-cladded actress and turtle-necked sweater-on-shoulders Shah Rukh Khan in his signature arms-wide-open pose. As much as we now yawn at these use and abused formulas, ultimately this is what we, the audience, had once in time appreciated, and enough so for them to become a part of Bollywood norm. But we all know, this is far from reality. That is exactly what debutant Punit Malhotra film I Hate Luv Storys is all about: love in Bollywood versus love in reality. Is there a difference? And to help him out, he has Bollywood's favorite chocolate hero, Imran Khan and the desperately-in-need-of-a-hit Sonam Kapoor. Oh, and add Karan Johar, the producer of the film and voila! You have yourself a winning combination…or I think at least. I walked into the First Day First Show of the film with my entourage consisting of six young students. One came because of her undying love for Imran Khan, another because everyone else was and the rest had various reasons. My solo male student forewarned me, "Roshni if it's boring, I'm walking out!" And so this became my prime concern. Would I Hate Luv Storys be entertaining enough for him to sit glued? You're about to find out. |
Alright, so for a film that attempts to defy Bollywood love stories, it sure does begin with one! Check out the main cast and crew: Imran Khan, nephew to Aamir Khan; Sonam Kapoor, daughter of Anil Kapoor and director Punit Malhotra, nephew to Manish Malhotra (who has done a fab job of dressing the cast; they all wear some great stuff!) And while some of the clichd scenes were required to demonstrate Kapoor's "dedication, if you choose to call it that, to Bollywood love stories, after a while, it got tedious. The re-enactment of famous love scenes became far too monotonous. The problem with IHLS is that it does not engage the audience. For starters, the music which is beyond fantastic, complete power to Vishal-Shekhar, has not been utilized correctly. In fact, they have been clamped so close to one another that before one ends, the other one begins. There was a point in the film where a viewer behind me actually exclaimed, "Not again!" Ouch. Once again, Imran finds himself in an airport at the end of the film where he finally decides to declare his undying love for his heroine. Yawn. Punit, have you seen Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na? 
The film in itself is a fresh attempt by Punit Malhotra however, has Karan Johar written all over it. Honestly, it looks feels and sounds like Johar himself has directed the film. Good first try for sure! The dialogues are fun and honestly, there are scenes which have you in splits. Watch out for the "vagera-vagera" portion as well as the ones where Imran is given a number of signs that point him in the direction of love. A lot of the film has been derived or borrowed from other popular films. For example, Dattani's constant daily flower offering to Sonam is derived from a similar situation in Dil Chahta Hai. And that is just one of many! 
So here's the deal. My sixteen-year-old male student didn't walk out of the film. And so, that tells you one thing: I Hate Luv Storys is definitely catered for the younger crowds who will aw and gush over the cuteness it harbors. And it has buckets full of it! As a complete package, I Hate Luv Storys is nothing short of a cheesy chick flick which manages to entertain. It doesn't aim to make a difference in Hindi cinema and it doesn't. You will not walk out feeling gooey inside nor will you walk out feeling inspired. You should watch IHLS if you are an ardent Imran Khan fan, this film is his shining glory or if you are a Sonam Kapoor fan because she looks phenomenal. Hate it or love it, sorry luv it, I Hate Luv Storys is simply put, paisa vasool.
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