Nov 27, 2010 05:50 PM
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(Updated Nov 27, 2010 05:52 PM)
One of the major reasons why many around are breaking up is because of ‘space’ issues. The person you in a relationship with might be a great catch, but if he/she constantly wants to be with you and keeping a tab on you when you are away, then cracks appear and ‘space’ problems arises. Being such a common issue nowadays, it is surprising that hardly any Bollywood film ever tackled it in totality. Danish Aslam attempts to throw a light on this urban topic in Break Ke Baad. With such a nice relatable topic in one hand and an awesome star cast and producers on the other, Danish certainly could have come up with a winner. Very unfortunately, the film is interesting but only in parts. The goings-on for a major part of the film are too unbelievable and disinteresting. A wonderful golden chance lost, in short!
The story of the movie: Abhay Gulati (Imran Khan) and Aaliya Khan (Deepika Padukone) are friends since they were 4and in love since they were 15. It is surprising that both are so drastically different and yet together. Aaliya is impulsive, immature, hot-headed, and rebellious and has always desired to become an actress. Abhay, on the other hand, is caring, mature, sensitive, understanding but unfortunately doesn’t know what to do in life. One thing’s for sure-he certainly doesn’t like working in his father’s cinema theatre business and doesn’t see any future in it. Everything’s going smooth until Aaliya gets a chance to study in Australia. Abhay at first resists but later realizes that Aaliya has ambitions and she should be allowed to do whatever she wants. But at the same time, he’ll have to deal with the prospect of having a long-distance relationship, secretly fearing that he will lose Aaliya forever. At this point, Aaliya comes up with an idea-they both should take a ‘break’ from their relationship for some time. Abhay agrees, albeit reluctantly. Aaliya then moves to Australia to pursue her course and meets new people and makes new friends. Abhay, on the other hand, feels terrible without Aaliya back home. A horrific telephonic episode later, Abhay decides that it’s time to pack his bags and head to Australia. To find out what happens next, watch the film.
With such a brilliant plot, Danish could have made a terrific film, on the lines of Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal (which also dealt with break-up and also starred Deepika). But Danish and Renuka Kunzru (screenplay) totally mess it up! One of the major complaints is that the director was in too much hurry to finish off the film. Of course it’s good to have a fast and crisp narrative but at least give some time for characters to develop and audience to empathize with them! Some sequences were too sudden. For instance, Imran Khan selling home-made food on the streets came as a rude shock as none of the earlier scenes gave even the slightest hint that Imran has fine culinary skills. Also, the scene where Imran leaves Deepika after her mother (Sharmila Tagore) goes back to India in a huff wasn’t executed well. Moreover, the ‘space’ problem, the crux of the film in many ways, should have been treated in a bit more polished way so as to make it seem justified.
Fortunately, the film isn’t a total disaster and has its moments. The film wonderfully showcases Imran-Deepika’s childhood love and the titlesat this point come up in a very innovative fashion. It sets the mood instantly! Also, the sequence where Imran and Deepika are drinking on the rooftop was definitely the cutest scene of the film! The intermission scene has to be the funniest with a twist as well. Post-interval, Deepika’s birthday sequence and Imran admitting that he was wrong in objecting to Deepika’s Australia plans was excellent. The climax will be criticized by many as it’s too cliché and over the top but I personally found it interesting! Also, where Danish succeeds is having some very interesting characters, be it Abhay or Aalia, Aalia’s mom, Abhay’s chachi (Lillette Dubey) or Abhay-Aalia’s landlords (Shahana Goswami, Yudhishtir Urs). It is because of these factors that you come out of the theatre without feeling totally disappointed.
Although Imran gives an honest performance, it’s Deepika Padukone who’s the best performer of the film! She actually has more screen presence than the former and does total justice. Watch out for her in the climax wherein she does an exceptional job. The film might not work but Deepika surely will be appreciated by one and all. And next week itself, we’ll get to see her in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey!
Imran Khan looked better in his previous outing, I Hate Luv Storys, but nonetheless pitches in a brilliant performance. He has loads of talent but it’s sad to see that except Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, all his films including Break Ke Baad haven’t impressed much. Hopefully, his next, Delhi Belly and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan will be loved as much as Jaane Tu or maybe even more!
Sharmila Tagore seemed totally convincing. Lillette Dubey had a very small role but was too good! It’s always a pleasure to see her on screen! Shahana Goswami was terrific and looked sizzling in her new avatar. She shared a great chemistry with Imran and it would have been nothing short of a pleasant surprise if she had married him in the end! Yudhishtir Urs was funny. Navin Nischol doesn’t have much to do. The guy playing Rishabh entertains during intermission point.
Vishal-Shekhar’s music was alright and nothing special. Yet the songs work as these were not lip-sync tracks and were played in the background while the story simultaneously moved ahead. Adhoore, Dooriyaan, Ajab Leher Hai and Dhoop Ke Makaan were the best of the lot. Hitesh Sonik’s background score was certainly better.
Andre Menezes’ cinematography was eye-catching. The locales of Mauritius (passed off as Australia in the movie!) were beautiful. Costumes especially those worn by Deepika and Shahana (Ayesha Dasgupta) were lovely.
Renuka Kunzru and Danish Aslam have jointly written the story which was fresh and youth-appealing. However, Renuka messes in the screenplay. But her dialogues were too good. And Danish’s direction wasn’t upto the mark in several scenes. He had so much to say but failed. The film throws light on the problems of long-distance relationships and also on the fact that there’s no joy of achieving one’s dreams if one has no one to share it with. All this are something everybody can identify with in today’s world but still the film fails to impress thanks to bad direction. So very unfortunate!
Only scenes that work in the film:
The beginning 10 minutes
Imran, Deepika drinking on the rooftop
Imran, Deepika fight in the loo
Imran, Deepika patch up under the table
Imran gets a new clock in his room and sets to the Australian standard time
The intermission point
Imran opens food stall (sudden but nicely shot)
Deepika’s birthday and Imran-Deepika at the shack at night
The climax
On the whole, Break Ke Baad had in it to be the next Love Aaj Kal but utterly disappoints. Still it’s watchable for its plot, individualistic scenes and Imran and Deepika’s performance.
My rating-** ½
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