ZNMD review

Many people opine that art, including cinema, should imitate life and reflect the social and cultural status of its audience. I beg to differ. The purpose of cinema is to not only reflect our past and present but also to make us explore the untrodden path, appreciate other cultures and feel overawed by its vision. There is a reason why we love super-hero movies or movies that transport us to the exotic culture of other nations.

After painting a layered portrait of the Bollywood Film industry in her debut venture (Luck By Chance), Zoya Akhtar takes us on a road trip to Spain which turns out to be a metaphor for an expedition of self discovery wherein three friends iron out their differences, obtain answers to some of life's disturbing,tricky questions and learn to deal with life on their own terms. So even though the picturesque Spain might appear too far-fetched for a holiday to the average India viewer, ZNMD is as much a pamphlet to explore the Spanish culture as it is an ode to friendship and a lesson to the average Joe who is all but consumed by monetary gratification and societal norms.

Kabir, played by Abhay Deol,is all set to tie the knot with his fiancee Natasha (played by Kalki Koechlin)and wants to embark on a three week road trip to Spain with this two best school buddies, Imran (Played by Farhan Akhtar)and Arjun (played by Hrithik Roshan). After a lot of deliberations, the three undertake this journey where each one of them has to perform an adventure sport of someone else's choice. So, while Arjun is hydrophobic and is helped by diving instructor Laila (played by Katrina Kaif) to get over his phobia, Imran suffers from acrophobia and Kabir squirms at the thought of being chased by bulls, the trip pact forces each one of them to confront their fears headlong and thereby conquer them. While Zoya resorts to adrenaline pumping adventure sports such as Deep-sea diving, Skydiving,and Running with the bulls, to test the mettle of her principal leads, these sports act as metaphors for freedom and extrication from the cobwebs of fear and indecision. So, while you might not get a chance to indulge in these expensive, luxurious activities, the idea you take home is that one should live life by the moment and experience the small,often ignored pleasures of life.

There are so many aspects to like about the movie. I hardly remember a movie where each and every lead has been showered with such a beautifully sketched character. Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti's screenplay is so seamless that you are transported into the center of the action and don the hat of each character lead - be it the money minded Arjun who prioritizes work over any relationship or Imran who is in search of his biological father or the progressive Kabir who wants an independent wife not relegated to the confines of household chores. So, while the second half appears a tad too long, I must confess that we have become used to fast-paced, mad capers which give us no time to think about the million loop-holes that are hidden in the script and hence do not appreciate the subtleties of a strong screenplay. The truth of the fact is that ZNMD gives the viewer food for thought and makes you analyze the proceedings.

The movie is bolstered by some razor sharp and slice-of life dialogues by Farhan Akhtar and by some beautiful,evocative poetry by the multi-faceted Javed Akhtar. Some of the scenes are so expertly enacted that they are etched in your memory long after you have left the cinema hall. Take that scene where Arjun and Imran break into a fight or that scene where Imran confronts his biological father or even that magical scene where Hrithik Roshan finally conquers his fear of drowning- the list goes on an on- and you are treated to a heady cocktail of commercial and thought provoking cinema . Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is good but not a patch on the trio's work in say a DCH or Kal Ho Na Ho. However, a special mention must be made of the visually grand Senorita.

Of the cast, Kalki Koechlin is funny, more of a caricature,as the possessive fiancee (watch her in the scene where she drives a car - seems like an allusion to a few women drivers you might know :)). Despite the stilted dilaogue delivery that we have all come to accept, Katrina Kaif exudes warmth and grace as the free-spirited deep-sea diving instructor, Laila. Naseerudhin Shah is expectantly brilliant in a fleeting cameo. Watch how beautifully he underplays his part. He can certainly teach today's actors a lesson or two in nuanced acting.

It is to the credit of the three leads that none of them resorts to histrionics to hog the limelight. The trio shares an electric camaraderie and catapults the movie to a higher level. Abhay Deol is first rate as the well-mannered, conscientious Kabir who is doubtful whether he should marry Natasha. In an author backed role, Farhan Akhtar is gifted with the film's best, funniest lines and he tickles your funny bone with consummate ease. However, it is Hrithik Roshan's character that defines the true essence of the movie. He brings a nuanced, emotional depth to his character and delivers a performance that is heartwarming and heartfelt in equal measure.

In 2001, a movie named 'Dil Chahta Hain' celebrated boyhood, inspired a generation and became a sleeper hit. Ten years down the line,amidst humongous and unfair, expectations, the same production house has mustered courage to celebrate manhood. At the end of the movie, I was witness to a thunderous applause at the theater in my city. I already see friends and colleagues awestruck by the movie, wanting to go dobara(again) and talking about bachelor trips and road trips. Well, I completely understand the sentiment!!!!