Exclusive by Devansh Patel - Harrow Observer, London.
Friendship is a very fragile subject for a movie. Yet, some renowned directors and actors in the past have portrayed this beautiful relation in the most enigmatic way that one could imagine. The portrayal of friendship on screen just brings the magic of friendship alive. Whether it is about lost friendship or friendship that has lasted through ages or friendship that has cultivated into love, movies of such genre have always enthralled audiences, young and old alike, and Jaane Tu is the best example of it. It is a movie that sneaks up on you and grabs your heart before you know it. So, you might be thinking that I've already started praising the film just because I got a chance to meet and catch up with Imran Khan in London along with the director Abbas Tyrewala last week and have to write good about the film, isn't it? Well, that's not the case here.
Written and directed by the already known name in Bollywood, Abbas Tyrewala, the film centres around a group of college friends, Ranjhore ka Rathod Jai aka Rats (Imran Khan), Aditi the Kaali Billi aka Meow (Genelia D'Souza), Rotlu who never cries (Karan Makhija), Jiggy the Gujju Patel (Nirav Mehta), Shaleen (Sugandha Garg) and Bombs the tubelight (Alishka Varde). All six of them and their friendship is inseperable. But more than the last four members of the group, Jaane Tu is all about Jai and Aditi. The story of their happy, difficult, passionate, inconvenient courtship and relationship is told by their friends - Rotlu, Jiggy, Bombs and Shaleen to Jiggy's girlfriend Mala who is an air-hostess, who hates airports and the one who cannot understand what is she doing at the airport on a date with Jiggy.
The film cleverly kicks off with all four friends singing the old classic 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na...Maane Tu...Ya Maane Na' in the car while going to the airport to receive Rats and Meow...and the cliched flashback begins. The college, the rona-dhona, ruthna-manana, the first crush, the insecurity, etc etc. Jai and Aditi are such close buddies that everyone in the college including their group and their parents think that they are seeing each other and will get married one day. But that's not what the inseperable two think because their relationship is like chalk and cheese. While Jai is taught to be a quiet non violent Gandhian and a complete opposite of what his father (Naseeruddin Shah) was, by his mother Savitri (Ratna Pathak Shah), Aditi is more of a believer and a follower of 'Laaton ke bhoot, baaton se nahin maante'. Yet, each accentuates and compliments the other. Both of them decide to find for each other a suitable match. Enter Meghna (Manjari Phadnis) and Jai falls head over heels for this leggy who loves playing the game 'What's this?' Jai wins Meghna's heart by saving her from the two Marlborough Men - the two Khans, and it's not Salman or Shahrukh! So as their relationship blossoms, Meow on the other hand starts getting a bit insecure. Now how many times have we seen this in Hindi films? To keep her promise, Aditi too finds for herself a fiance (Ayaz Khan) who is well built and would protect her in any given situation. In a predictable and a cliched narrative, both Meghna and Meow's fiance find out that they are in a wrong relationship and split up with their respective partners. Perhaps after reading this you might decide to carry a pack of tissues, but don't worry, you won't need it. Jaane Tu is a film that doesn't make you sob nor makes you laugh out loud but is a film which makes you smile because of its sweet and uncanny characters, thoughtful and engaging narrative and its soulful music which makes you go back to your college days. What happens next is fairly obvious where everything is heading. To the airport? Sshhh, it a surprising finale.
Take a bow for the two leads Imran Khan and Genelia D'Souza who provide a rare melancholic entertainment about loneliness and friendship in an effortlessly appealing melange. And casting both of them in such roles is a stroke of genius by debutant director Abbas Tyrewala as he deftly utilizes Rats and Meow's ingratiating onscreen persona to make the viewers connect with their roles. Having said that, due credit to the casting director Pakhi for picking up such a bunch of lunatics with whom you'll fall in love with. Jiggy, Bombs, Shaleen and Rotlu fit to perfection with their roles. Bravo! Naseeruddin Shah is very well framed and is a delight to watch him in every frame he appears and Ratna Pathak Shah as an agressive social worker is adorable. Jaane Tu for some reason becomes rare also for the fact that it reunites some of small screen and advertising world's well known and lost faces like Jayant Kriplani (best known for his Vicks commercial in the early 1980's) and Anuradha Patel who plays Aditi's parents in the film, the gorgeous model and actress of the 1980's Kitu Gidwani who still looks absolutely hot and stunning as Meghna's mother. Another surprise package of the film is Aditi's brother, Amit (Prateik Babbar) who makes a short but an impressive debut. Watch his scene with Genelia where he makes her understand the value of friendship by saying, "It's not that I have gone far away from you sister. The problem is that there are many others who have come close to you". Very well executed by Abbas and even better delivered by Prateik.
The script is excellent, bouncily incorporating farce, witty dialogue and astute observations about the importance of friendship in today's fast paced society. Writer / Director Abbas Tyrewala keeps a firm hand on the material, maintaining a breezy comic tone and never allowing the film to nose dive into sickly sentimentality, something which the other Bollywood films in the future will no doubt attempt to correct. The music of the film makes the proceedings more enjoyable. How many times have you seen music directors giving interviews and conveying the message that the music carries the film forward and then fails to deliver? Well, for a change, A.R.Rahman proves it right. He not only carries the film forward but also reinvents himself by reminding the audience that he has aged but his music hasn't. 'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi' and 'Pappu Can't Dance Saala' are the best examples of the maestro's youthfulness. To add further, Crisp cinematography, deft dialogues and excellent editing makes a perfect icing on the cake.
Overall, Jaane Tu is a really wonderful, rare film. It is rare because it portrays, in a way that is both persistently funny and unflinchingly earnest, one of the most under-represented but universal human neuroses: the desire for friendship or platonic love. Jaane Tu becomes not just a delight, but a thoughtful delight. Few films I can remember (Dil Chahta Hai, Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi) so directly address the question of friendship, the nature of friendship, and, most of all, the illusion that our acquaintances and our friends are the same thing. That perhaps is something all of us might be well advised to examine. The film remind us that God created us to be more than "It" objects to populate an isolated world. Instead, he gave us love and friendship as precious means to glimpse—however faintly—what it is to commune with the Holy.
Go and watch this convincingly cliched cinema with your best friend and you'll never regret!
****
Sunday, 6 July 2008
Friday, 4 July 2008
Just hours before his big premiere of Jaane Tu, Aamir Khan spoke to me exclusively about the film, his Qayamat Se Qayamat days and his cousin Imran
There was a time when Aamir Khan was termed as a recluse of the Indian Film Industry. Today, television audiences are used to seeing Aamir resplendently suited booted, gliding over a red carpet at glittering Bollywood soirees. Audiences, critics and the jury of many prestigious award functions alike are awed by Aamir Khan's conviction, dedication and emotional power as an actor, producer and a director, and with his thrid production, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, releasing tomorrow world wide, the mutli-talented Khan yet again sets out to prove that he is the master of all in this very short but an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama's Devansh Patel just hours before the star studded premiere of his film in Mumbai.
Looks like your Taare's are shining bright ever since you touched Lagaan. I wish you could pass on some of that touch to me. What do your astrologers say?
(laughs) I don't know. We've tried to make a good film. I think that I'm quite happy with the way it's turned out and waiting to see how the audience reacts to it.
This is your first production with you not a part of the cast. Did Ghajini take a lot of your time or Taare?
Taare. I was directing Taare Zameen Par when Jaane Tu was being shot. So when I took over as the director of Taare, I realised that I'd not be able to fully shoulder my responsibilities as a producer on Jaane Tu nor did I think of acting in it because it was entirely up to the casting director and the director whom they think is the right choice. So I requested Mansoor to take care of the production and he was there looking after the cast and the crew during the shoot stages. Ofcourse, I was there if there were any problems. But as soon as Taare finished, I was there to look after the post production and the marketing plan for Jaane Tu.
You seem to be like Imran's shadow. Everywhere Imran goes, you follow. Then what was the reason for your absence in London?
(laughs). I would not like to be described as Imran's shadow. Being the producer of the film, I have been a part of promoting Jaane Tu and that's what I am doing. So if I accompany Imran, Abbas or Genelia, I can't be tagged as their shadow. Infact, I'm the shadow of Jaane Tu. But yes, If I was free, I'd have definitely come to London but unfortunately, I was shooting for Ghajini at that time.
Not convinced with Amol Gupte's direction, you took over as a director for Taare. That was past. But we also know that you gave 5 scenes to Abbas to shoot for Jaane Tu before you could say Yes to him. Have you now started screen testing directors?
Infact, after my experience on Taare, I told Abbas to shoot five scenes to see how he fares as a director. Jaane Tu at that time had not begun their filming. So I requested Abbas because he had never directed a film before. I am pretty sure that I would like to see any new director taking up my project to shoot four or five scenes, whether it's Abbas or anybody else. But if there was an established director, I would not have done that.
What if you did not like all the five scenes or liked two or three of them? Was the back up ready? Or were you prepared to jump into the directors seat?
If any of the five scenes was not directed well by Abbas, I would not have gone ahead with the project even though I loved the script. And that is true. But Abbas proved me wrong.
I remember you and Raj Zutshi used to stick the posters of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak on the auto-rickshaws outside Mithibai college in Mumbai by stopping them. That was marketing in 1988. How much do you think marketing has evolved or will do in the near future?
I think it has changed dramatically from then to now. In 1988, there was only one channel, Doordarshan, and the main line newspapers and magazines did not do much reporting on entertainment nor was there any news on the front pages about films. The media had not completely evolved then. But entertainment in particular has now become a huge part of reporting and news. So while the times have changed, the level of challenges remain the same. In the late 1980's we didn't have enough means to promote the film so we tried to do it the best we could. Today you have a lot of means but you could do completely wrong. So even if you have the tools in todays time, if you don't use them well, it can go against you. You can market the film really badly or people can sense from your marketing that they don't want to see your film.
All your films from Lagaan days to Rang De Basanti to Taare Zameen Par and now Jaane Tu have seen fresh young faces. Is that something you'd like to see with all your films or you being a part of it?
No, it's not a conscious effort. I think it really depends on what kind of script you're doing and it's requirement. You're forgetting that Rani was there in Mangal Pandey. She was an established star. So was Amisha Patel. And I did Fanaa with Kajol. So it's not as if I'm not working with established actors. It really depends from project to project.
While the film was being made and after it's completion, did it take you back to your QSQT days?
(laughs). Not really. I think Jaane Tu is quite a different film in it's own way even though it's a romantic film and it stars new actors, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was a film which was much more dramatic in its flavour and its content. Yes, seeing Mansoor behind the camera after a sabbatical did make us interact the QSQT days.
There are many successful music directors like Pritam and Vishal Shekhar too who are on the top of their game, then why go with A.R.Rahman just because he has been a part of your earlier films?
You don't think A.R.Rahman is on top of his game? (laughs out loud). I am very happy with the kind of music he has given to Jaane Tu and I'm so glad that he is a part of the film. But I have worked with other people as well. Taare Zameen Par had Shankar Ehsaan Loy and you know, the music was so different and soothing to your ears. It was a new experience for them too. But as I said earlier, it depends on project to project and there might be times when I would like to work with A.R.Rahman and he is busy with other projects. I've not worked with Pritam but his work is nice and has given extremely successful music off late. So if any oppurtunity arises, I'd definitely like to work with Pritam.
On the posters and media pack, we have seen Imran wearing the same yellow striped tie you wore in your film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. What else has he nicked from your wardrobe?
(laughs) Well, he keeps grabbing my jackets, t-shirts and other stuff. But yes, you pointed out right. That was the same tie I wore in my film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
With the monsoon hitting out quite bad in Mumbai, what's the premiere looking like?
I think Bombayites are quite used to the rain but I hope it doesn't continue like what it is at the moment. I don't think rain will hinder our plans and we will be hitting out all along for the premiere tomorrow night. I hope it goes well.
What are we going to see you wear at the premiere?
Well, I don't know as of now but I will probably wear something formal.
Any message you'd like to convey to your audience who are not your fans now. They are fans of Aditi.
(laughs). As I said, we've made a film that we believed in and have really put in our best. I hope the audience too enjoy seeing it as much as we enjoyed making it.
Looks like your Taare's are shining bright ever since you touched Lagaan. I wish you could pass on some of that touch to me. What do your astrologers say?
(laughs) I don't know. We've tried to make a good film. I think that I'm quite happy with the way it's turned out and waiting to see how the audience reacts to it.
This is your first production with you not a part of the cast. Did Ghajini take a lot of your time or Taare?
Taare. I was directing Taare Zameen Par when Jaane Tu was being shot. So when I took over as the director of Taare, I realised that I'd not be able to fully shoulder my responsibilities as a producer on Jaane Tu nor did I think of acting in it because it was entirely up to the casting director and the director whom they think is the right choice. So I requested Mansoor to take care of the production and he was there looking after the cast and the crew during the shoot stages. Ofcourse, I was there if there were any problems. But as soon as Taare finished, I was there to look after the post production and the marketing plan for Jaane Tu.
You seem to be like Imran's shadow. Everywhere Imran goes, you follow. Then what was the reason for your absence in London?
(laughs). I would not like to be described as Imran's shadow. Being the producer of the film, I have been a part of promoting Jaane Tu and that's what I am doing. So if I accompany Imran, Abbas or Genelia, I can't be tagged as their shadow. Infact, I'm the shadow of Jaane Tu. But yes, If I was free, I'd have definitely come to London but unfortunately, I was shooting for Ghajini at that time.
Not convinced with Amol Gupte's direction, you took over as a director for Taare. That was past. But we also know that you gave 5 scenes to Abbas to shoot for Jaane Tu before you could say Yes to him. Have you now started screen testing directors?
Infact, after my experience on Taare, I told Abbas to shoot five scenes to see how he fares as a director. Jaane Tu at that time had not begun their filming. So I requested Abbas because he had never directed a film before. I am pretty sure that I would like to see any new director taking up my project to shoot four or five scenes, whether it's Abbas or anybody else. But if there was an established director, I would not have done that.
What if you did not like all the five scenes or liked two or three of them? Was the back up ready? Or were you prepared to jump into the directors seat?
If any of the five scenes was not directed well by Abbas, I would not have gone ahead with the project even though I loved the script. And that is true. But Abbas proved me wrong.
I remember you and Raj Zutshi used to stick the posters of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak on the auto-rickshaws outside Mithibai college in Mumbai by stopping them. That was marketing in 1988. How much do you think marketing has evolved or will do in the near future?
I think it has changed dramatically from then to now. In 1988, there was only one channel, Doordarshan, and the main line newspapers and magazines did not do much reporting on entertainment nor was there any news on the front pages about films. The media had not completely evolved then. But entertainment in particular has now become a huge part of reporting and news. So while the times have changed, the level of challenges remain the same. In the late 1980's we didn't have enough means to promote the film so we tried to do it the best we could. Today you have a lot of means but you could do completely wrong. So even if you have the tools in todays time, if you don't use them well, it can go against you. You can market the film really badly or people can sense from your marketing that they don't want to see your film.
All your films from Lagaan days to Rang De Basanti to Taare Zameen Par and now Jaane Tu have seen fresh young faces. Is that something you'd like to see with all your films or you being a part of it?
No, it's not a conscious effort. I think it really depends on what kind of script you're doing and it's requirement. You're forgetting that Rani was there in Mangal Pandey. She was an established star. So was Amisha Patel. And I did Fanaa with Kajol. So it's not as if I'm not working with established actors. It really depends from project to project.
While the film was being made and after it's completion, did it take you back to your QSQT days?
(laughs). Not really. I think Jaane Tu is quite a different film in it's own way even though it's a romantic film and it stars new actors, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was a film which was much more dramatic in its flavour and its content. Yes, seeing Mansoor behind the camera after a sabbatical did make us interact the QSQT days.
There are many successful music directors like Pritam and Vishal Shekhar too who are on the top of their game, then why go with A.R.Rahman just because he has been a part of your earlier films?
You don't think A.R.Rahman is on top of his game? (laughs out loud). I am very happy with the kind of music he has given to Jaane Tu and I'm so glad that he is a part of the film. But I have worked with other people as well. Taare Zameen Par had Shankar Ehsaan Loy and you know, the music was so different and soothing to your ears. It was a new experience for them too. But as I said earlier, it depends on project to project and there might be times when I would like to work with A.R.Rahman and he is busy with other projects. I've not worked with Pritam but his work is nice and has given extremely successful music off late. So if any oppurtunity arises, I'd definitely like to work with Pritam.
On the posters and media pack, we have seen Imran wearing the same yellow striped tie you wore in your film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. What else has he nicked from your wardrobe?
(laughs) Well, he keeps grabbing my jackets, t-shirts and other stuff. But yes, you pointed out right. That was the same tie I wore in my film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
With the monsoon hitting out quite bad in Mumbai, what's the premiere looking like?
I think Bombayites are quite used to the rain but I hope it doesn't continue like what it is at the moment. I don't think rain will hinder our plans and we will be hitting out all along for the premiere tomorrow night. I hope it goes well.
What are we going to see you wear at the premiere?
Well, I don't know as of now but I will probably wear something formal.
Any message you'd like to convey to your audience who are not your fans now. They are fans of Aditi.
(laughs). As I said, we've made a film that we believed in and have really put in our best. I hope the audience too enjoy seeing it as much as we enjoyed making it.
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