Alert: I am not going to talk about any technical aspect here, leaving it for those who are better equipped to do so.
I am not a hard task master when it comes to liking movies, and 6-8-10 pac abs or Miami beaches or stars are not a criterion for me to like it. There are times when watching a promo of the movie itself, you know this is something you just dont wanna miss.
The promo of Luck by chance had more jazz in its 5 minute duration then most recent movies manage to do in entire 2.5 hour duration. That, coupled with Rohit's recommendation ensured that I get the DVD asap. To paraphrase Jane Austen, "I was ready to be pleased."
I wonder how many of you have seen that film Guddi, which is a story of depiction of all the unheard and unseen sagas of those who break their backs and give their blood and tears into the process of film-making, all this through the eyes of a star struck teenager. The opening credits of the movie are a tribute to the technicians and are not at all to be missed.
Trust me, you don't want to be late for this one. This was where Zoya struck the first chord in my heart, showing that this was going to be a labor of love, not just another debutante director's vehicle to fame. The story is simple. A group of strugglers, Sona and Vikram(Konkana and Farhan) in the forefront; in that land of golden dreams, dreaming of becoming a "star"(all pun intended at the star here). Slowly, Sona and Vikram get up close and personal.
Rolly(brilliant, brilliant Rishi Kapoor) is a superstitious producer, who is on the verge of producing a block buster with Zaffar Khan, the superstar(Hrithik) and Nikki, the debutante(Isha Sharwani). Nikki is the daughter of the 70s superstar Neena(Dimple Kapadia) who is hell bent on riding on her daughter's success, not to mention riding roughshod over her dreams.
All of them think nothing of doing whatever it takes to realize their dreams. In the big bad world of dreams, where friends are used, where lovers are replaced at the blink of an eye, all of them, stars and newcomers alike, walk the walk and talk the talk. For them, ends justify the means, PERIOD. Sona thinks nothing of being a sidepiece for a producer who promises her a part on his next venture.(
See the understanding, hesitation and acceptance dawn in Konkana's eyes when Aly Khan tells her, "milte rehna"). Vikram is quite blase about sidestepping his school friend Abhi(Arjun Mathur, superb) when he wonders about auditioning for the same role, and does not think twice about playing up to the mother daughter duo of Neena and Nikki, or the producer Rolly. If the consience raises any qualms, they are silenced by the siren song of dreams. "Sapnon mein bhare naina. ki neend hai na chaina"
Where the movie really works for me is in the fact that the film shows the grey or darker shades of the personalities in a non-apologetic, bashful manner. There's no attempt to gloss over what a smooth operator Vikram is, neither is there an excuse given for Abhi's desire to try out for a filmy audition when so far he's been scoffing over what an empty shell Bollywood is.
A spade is a spade is a spade. If the competition is cut throat, you arm yourself with the sharpest sword or dagger you can find, and to hell with finer sensibilities such as loyalty, love or friendship. There's only ONE number 1 here, and that's YOU! I was impressed by the picturisation of the song "Sapnon se Bhare Naina", it embodies the anxiety, stress and competition which is pervading not just show biz but all sectors of life.
As the song starts, Vikram enters a room full of wannabe actors, who have come for auditioning for the role, and you realise what it feels like when one is hanging onto life for survival, amidst others facing the same predicament. The tension and nerves are so thick you could probably cut the air with a knife. Watch him staking the competitors and marking out potential threats. Smooth operator is written all over his eyes. There was a time when Kishor sang, "Mere naina saavan bhaadon" and now we say, "Sapnon se bhare naina". Times, they sure are a changing.
Musically, other than Sapnon se bhare, I liked Baawre(check out the loud choreography, symbolic of the times being represented).Performance wise, almost all of them are splendid.(Almost, because I have my favorite, whom I shall talk about at the end of this review). Farhan is brilliantly underplayed, Konkana brings out her moral and emotional dilemmnas through her eyes, Rishi is wonderful in the loud role and so on.
Watch out for Sanjay Kapoor and Abhinav Mathur. The irony lies in the fact that the actors who are supposed to "Project energy and melodrama" are subtle and underplayed. Also, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by all the stars who make fleeting appearances, and watch how Zoya highlights the eccentricities of each - Akshaye Khanna, that indecisive fellow, Aamir Khan, never satisfied with his shot, and Abhishek Bachchan who ends every conversation with a greeting from Big B.
Apart from all the others mentioned above, 2 scenes which stood out for me were the sequence with SRK. Watch the light play through the planes of SRK's face while he dispenses some wisdom to Vikram, giving him an almost angelic/demonic look, and the way Vikram chokes back his tears, realizing what path he has to follow, quelling his tears. The second one is when Zafar, in his car, is accosted by street kids.
He ignores them at first, but he gives in and makes faces to entertain them. In that brief instant, he’s almost one of these little people, one among them – but then you see that the windows are still up and he’s locked away in a world of his own. The heart and head pulling you in different directions.Sapnon se Bhare Naina.
The only part which was a bit of a let down was the first half, which languished a bit and at times was a bit low on energy, and also there were times, when it felt as if Zoya was getting a bit tired, where the half-hardheartedness shows, but then, I am quite willing to be indulgent. If in a specialty cuisine restaurant, you are made to wait for the meal, but are given aperitifs on the house, you don't mind the long wait. If you take to heart something which dares to be different, something which is a labor of love, missing out on Luck by Chance would be THE cardinal sin. All said and done, Luck by Chance is a movie I wont mind viewing again.
Oh, and the actor whose performance I liked the best? It was Anurag Kashyap. 2-3 scenes, and his eyes have made me their slave. If he decides to pursue acting seriously, Farhan will have to move over, and Irrfaan will have serious competition. Dont believe me? Check him out!
