~Kunal Kohli needs to take a break~. Review on Break Ke Baad

Come Friday morning and I was so excited. After all, why shouldn’t I be? I was getting to see a first day first show of a Hindi film inIndia after eons! I had forgotten the hustle – bustle, the whistles, the unnecessary remarks in between a sentimental dialogue and the gossip of the cozy ‘backseat’ couples that pervade the atmosphere. Allah Ke Bandeywasn’t showing anywhere close-by so Break Ke Baadwas a default option. Even from the trailers, it seemed as if Kunal Kohli has got stuck in a mould, which he cannot seem to get out of, and for the sake of understanding, we’ll call this mould the Hum Tumconundrum. It is that mould where Kunal is desperately trying to recreate the success of Hum Tumby trying to recreate the magic of Hum Tum.However, the problem is – the original is already there (which in itself was a remake of When Harry Met Sally) and now any attempt to bring back the same flavor feels like déjà vu.

Plot:

The credits roll in the beginning and set the scene. In fact, the beginning credits are the best part of the movie. They show how Abhay Gulati (Imran) and Aaliya (Deepika) have grown up together since childhood and have always had a ‘thing’ for each other. And no, this is not the unrequited love type of scenario, both of them are aware that they love each other. Characterisation is also done very early – Aaliya as the risk taker and Abhay as the calculated, ‘mature’ person. So while Aaliya does a Marilyn Monroe type Seven Year Itchscene, Abhay is there to hold her skirt down and when Aaliya smokes (and flaunts) a cigar at Abhay’s sister’s wedding, he is there to save here from the ire of Ayesha, Aaliya’s mother (played by Sharmila Tagore). Films are an integral part of both their lives – whilst Aaliya wants to become an actress, Abhay is the Vice – President of Jeet Talkies, which is run by his father. However, Aaliya’s father leaves her mother Ayesha, and Aaliya’s need to rebel can be explained in part by this Freudian logic. Ayesha would never let her daughter become an actress, as she blames the film industry for her present state. Meanwhile Abhay is stuck with running a business which he doesn’t want to run. In fact, apart from knowing that he likes Aaliya, Abhay doesn’t know anything for sure in his life. Abhay calls Aaliya Shahrukh, because of her love for the actor and Aaliya calls Abhay Sunita and sometimes Gelato (a pun on the surname – Gulati).

Pandemonium strikes when Aaliya decides to go to the Gold Coast (Australia – yay! I was beaming with pride) to study mass communication (research – my dear director, the course is Media and Communications notMass Communication. How do I know this? Because I am doing the goddamn course in Australia with law!). Aaliya gets an offer from University of Gold Coast (which doesn’t exist by the way) and she agrees to go not because of her degree, but because of the acting school there. Once again, point of research – the University mister Kohli was looking for was Griffith University.

Abhay lets Aaliya go as he wants her to make her own mistakes. They break up, calling it a ‘little break’. However, Abhay cannot stay without Aaliya and comes to meet her all the way to Australia, and starts living with Aaliya’s friends Cyrus and Nadia. The rest of the movie shifts between Abhay figuring out what he really wants to d in life and trying to win back Aaliya, all the while Aaliya tries to figure out her feelings for Abhay. The climax is so clichéd and has been done in so many movies that anyone could have seen it coming by a long shot.

Déjà vu:

Let’s say one thing to put the film in perspective – remember Hum Tum?Now, there is a role reversal of sorts with Aaliya playing the character of Saif Ali Khan and Imran playing the character of Rani Mukherjee. Yes, the situations might be different but the characters are exactly the same. Deepika is the childish fun loving girl, while Imran is the reserved, polite, decent, mature and calculated guy. Polar opposites, yet Deepika accepts time and time again that Imran “completes her” (Heath Ledger must be turning in his grave – remember Joker from The Dark Knight –“you complete me”).

Comedy and Gen X feel:

This film’s target audience is the youth and the Gen X. If you watch it with your family, you will not enjoy it. The humour, the dialogues, the lingo, the attitude, everything is representative of the upcoming generation. One liners, of which there are plenty got roaring responses from the student community, which filled up 90 percent of the hall. This is not even a film which one can take a date to, as it is in no way romantic. In fact, there is hardly any romance. The focus is definitely on the difference between attitudes and approach to life of the current generation. Comeback lines (which are very popular in the youth) are used aplenty in the film. If the film works, it is because it knows its target audience very well and positive word of mouth will attract the student community. Apart from that, this film shall not appeal to any other age group – perhaps young females, but definitely not wives. Lilette Dubey shall remain immortal on screen for her two lines which were vulgar, but drew a huge response from the audience – as a fashion designer, telling her assistant – “dheela hai kapda, get her some boobs” and “abhi bhi dheela hai. Yeh kya banaya hai, blouse hai ki baniyan?”

Cast:

Imran gives a measured performance as Abhay. He tries the deadpan humour but I don’t think that it suits him. Deepika comes out with flying colours as the rebellious Aaliya. She has really grown as an actress. Not only does she manage to look stunning and gorgeous in a sari and a bikini top (mark my word choice, I didn’t say “sexy”, and not saying that is a huge compliment these days), Deepika’s character I one with which the audience connects the most. Lillette Dubey has a very short role and shall become immortal in the minds of the youth because of those two lines. Sharmila Tagore as Aaliya’s mother carries herself with great poise. It is great to see her shine on screen again. In fact, at one point, as a reference, Imran asks her in nthe film – “aapne acting kyon chodh di?” And I couldn’t help but smile. Cyrus (real name I do not know) is used well for comic effect who doesn’t believe in relationships but only in getting laid. Nadia, who runs the beach shack with Cyrus (real name I do not know again) also does a good job in making Aaliya realize that she loves Abhay. As far as the hyped up chemistry between Deepika and Imran goes, it is definitely there, but not the romantic type. The chemistry comes more from the banter and friendly potshots that the two take at each other.

The music suited the film. The use of old songs and scenes to highlight different situations in the film was a comedic gem. The starting credits were very well thought out and definitely the best part of the film. The script was good, dialogues were good but the big problem was the plot. You knew where the movie was headed from the start and then, the climax really ruined it as well. One of the most clichéd climaxes in recent times, for sure. What could have been a 3 star film regardless of the déjà vu feel became a two star film, mainly because of the 2nd half and especially, the climax. Kunal Kohli needs to relook his options. This formula is becoming old. More than the characters, he needs to take a break and let’s see what he brings, break ke baad…