Jagga Jasoos

Hurray, it finally released! There has been a lot of debate about whether Jagga Jasoos would see the light of day. It was in the making for 3.5 years surrounded by countless controversies: the infamous Ranbir/Katrina breakup, production setbacks, endless delays, and rumors of the movie being shelved. Regardless of its fate getting here was no easy feat. Jagga Jasoos is a quirky film, no two words on that. It's highly unusual and targets the child in all of us. I'm impressed that such a high-concept and risky film was okayed in the first place and that Ranbir chose it as his debut production. Well done to the team on that front. And I'm happy to say I found joy in Jagga's peculiar world.

Young Jagga, played by Ranbir Kapoor, is a novice detective whose sharp mind allows him to question everything and search for answers where there are none. When his father mysteriously disappears one day Jagga, with the help of a journalist (Katrina Kaif), begins a quest to track him down. But this is only part of the story. Much of the first half is made up of understanding Jagga's world and watching him solve mysteries. There is fun to be had here if you can embrace the madness.

Jagga constantly stutters. To deal with his communication woes the young jasoos sings his thoughts. Hence, the musical nature of the film. And mind you, this is a musical in the truest sense. Much of the dialogue is conveyed through song. Ranbir says very little out of tune. I found myself getting used to and enjoying this interesting approach to storytelling about 20 minutes into the film. After which I didn't expect anything else. The movie is packaged as a children's story. The canvas is colorful and you'll be tapping your feet to most of the songs especially Dil Ulu Ka Patha Hai.

Anurag Basu, of Barfi fame, has creatively conceived a film that couldn't have been easy to imagine. His mind like Jagga's is one of a kind. But his execution, also like Jagga's, has its share of flaws. The first half needs trimming and the script should've matched the intellect. Also, the slight dubbing issues (probably) caused by production delays bothered me. But you can overlook these mishaps if you're invested in the plot. What works wonders for the film is the humor. It's gentle and graciously sprinkled throughout the narrative. You will laugh yourself silly at several points. Jagga trying to fly a plane is not something I'll easily forget.

Ranbir Kapoor's talent should be studied. He's miles ahead of his contemporaries. He hardly speaks in the movie yet every emotion and thought going through Jagga's mind is conveyed in such a poetic manner that you're left in awe. The 34 year old star is playing a teenager here and not once can you imagine anyone else in his place. I continue to be a fan, Mr. Kapoor. Katrina Kaif fits the character to a tee. You can't say she is a particularly good actor but she's a charmer and impresses once more with the innocent act she's managed to own over the years. The chemistry between the leads is also one for the books especially since it's not based in romance. I'm not sure if we'll see them together again but it was delightful while it lasted.

All said and done Jagga Jasoos is unlike anything you've seen before. I'm running out of ways to say unique but that's what it is. Many people in the theatre, myself included, clapped and cheered at the end of the film while the gentleman next to me woke up from his nap. Cleary the audience is divided so have a look for yourself and see where you fall. While that delicious ending deserves a sequel, I'm certain we won't see another movie (or a more natural actor) like this anytime soon.

https://stuffiwatchblog.wordpress.com

Jagga Jasoos is many things, both good and not-so-good, but 'typical Bollywood' is a tag even the most die-hard detractors will not be able to bestow upon it. In fact, it is the opposite of that tag for the most part. It is a beautifully crafted, melodiously tuned and exquisitely shot story of Jagga that is essentially a comic book brought to life.

Watch it for director Anurag Basu's sheer audacity of attempting a film that is mounted on a scale so lavish and so large that it seems to lose its way here and there for short periods. Make no mistake, it will demand your attention, failing which you might lose track of what's going on. In return, it will reward you with breathtaking cinematography, rich music, a fantastic supporting cast and typical-of-Anurag-Basu-comic-moments. Katrina Kaif's Shruti does enough to carry off the role, but you can't help but wonder 'what-if' and think of other actresses who could have portrayed the role better.

The same can't be said of Ranbir Kapoor. His endearing Jagga has Kapoor in top form and leaves you convinced that no other current actor could have played this part.

On the whole, Jagga Jasoos is a must-watch. It is a film that deserves the large screen, and it is an attempt that, I think, will age very well. As a sometimes-flawed movie that's full of heart, I would take it any day over synthetic, formulaic 'Bollywood' fare that we are served week after week. This is a good sign of the things to come for the Hindi film industry.

9/10 for me.

I love the concept of movie. Refresh to watch full entertainment. Ranbir kapoor acting is best. Katrina is as cute as always. Second half is much better than first half. climax is superb. Kids will love this one. Overall you should not miss this movie if you have kids.Something innovative new to bollywood,Thank you Disney for pissa'wasool entertaining, & comedy concept.

First thing straight Jagga Jasoos might not be one of the most magnificent movies made. But it still stand apart because it give you a sense of Nostalgia and those who have been born and brought up in late 80 and 90's will understand the comic book style imparted to the movie. Comics were craze during that era.

The movie is heavily inspired from the Iconic comic character Tintin created by Herge. The protagonist Ranbir aka Jagga is smart , Intelligent , young and cheerful , depicts all the qualities courage when he sets out in the hopes of finding his father with a fellow companion .

He considers his father alive and well against all odds, no matter who tries to tell him otherwise . Also, shows character of a pure friendship while helping Katrina in one of his ventures. These are the similar qualities depicted by Tintin in numerous of his comic characters. To relate to this movie you have to be a bit of a comic book fan. Though the movie depicts a serious message but still it shows the event with a witty flair. Jagga Jasoos is different in its treatment as here Jagga does all bond style histrionics but does not have any tact in doing whatever he does. He is no macho who will beat several guys or some high profile spy who has all the smartest gadgets to get his work done. The simplicity of the character will charm you.

You can watch Jagga Jasoos due to the following strengths. The cast is is very well balanced and all the actors have done what was expected out of them. Ranbir and Shashwat Chatterje are a step ahead among st the characters. The Cinematography is excellent and gives you a great visual treat. CGI is good. Some sequences are exactly a reproduction of few Iconic Tintin comics. Those who have read will get it.

The movie where it struggles is due to its varying pace in the first half,pathetic editing (some scenes you realize are just repeat while explaining to the viewer) I have watched such bad editing after long. Direction is not that great. Movie becomes monotonous with the sing song tone that it carries throughout though understandable the lead stammers.

To sum up Jagga Jasoos is a good and different attempt and is encouraging to see that we can also adopt comic characters may be not with the exact astuteness. Watch it for Ranbir as he shows his spark after few fiascos in the past. This will remind of the finesse of Ranbirs ability last seen in Rocket Singh and Rockstar. This might also give a lease of life to Katrina as well.

Jagga Jasoos (2017): When all the filmmakers takes inspiration from Hollywood action films and thrillers,Anurag Basu chose an entirely different path.He got mesmerized by Hollywood comedies and magical adventures and by taking them as inspiration he weaves his own plot.His previous film Barfi! has lot of scenes inspired from several Classic Hollywood films especially Chaplin's.Now Jagga Jasoos is like an Indian adaptation of The Adventures of TinTin. After much complications, several re-shoots and one very public breakup between the lead pair later,Jagga Jasoos came into theaters but became a commercial failure.

Plot: The journey of Jagga (Ranbir Kapoor) who is an amateur detective and someone who has a stammering problem the film essentially revolves around Jagga's search for his father Tutifuti (Saswata Chatterjee) who deserted him at a very young age. Shurti Sengupta (Katrina Kaif) is a senior correspondent who is trying to bust an illegal arms racket and crosses paths with Jagga while both of them are trying to crack the same case.

My Review: For a film industry that got its own certain rules of using music, Jagga Jasoos is an undeniable experiment. The screenplay is structured as chapters from a comic book; the movie uses a classroom full of kids and their teacher, Shruti as its main storytelling device. The films unfolds as she narrates stories from the book, and we're pulled into Jagga's world of makeshift houses, merry characters and rhyming dialogue.

Entire first half is engaging with Jagga's two chapters in his life where he solves two murder mysteries with his detective skills.His musical methods of unravelling mysteries are the most exciting bits.The entire childhood episode of Jagga is dealt emotionally and entry of Katrina at the crucial part and her investigation which was taken into hands by Jagga,all such scenes bring us a real TinTinesque adventure.

But what really went wrong is that Second half which is the main mystery for Jagga is dealt rather childishly than the murder mysteries in first half which was dealt in a mature way.Anurag Basu lost his vision in second half by confusing whether he was making a childish adventure or a matured one because lot of scenes in second half looks outright silly.Even though the film deals with sensible issue like Weapons drop,the way it was dealt looks so rushed.

The major baggage of the film is carried well by music director Pritam. The film is a musical, thus heavily dependent on its music and Pritam has surely justified Basu's hard work with his enchanting scores which is the narration style of the film. It is a standalone success that's cleverly written and perfectly choreographed with foot tapping Bad Lucky, Tukka Laga, Chocolatey Chunnu and Khaana Khaake Daaru Peekey Chale Gaye.The numbers, born effortlessly out of situations in the screenplay, are comical and catchy. Amitabh Bhattacharya, who is credited with lyrics and "rhyming dialogue," is at the top of his game.

Ranbir once again proves his acting prowess as a stammering yet confident Jagga. His animated expressions suit the setup of the film and at no point does he feel too dramatic or over expressive.He manages to make you laugh and tugs at your heartstrings by being goofy and gloomy as suddenly as required.Katrina too is fine as Shruti, and in fact, evoke chuckles as a clumsy yet impressive investigator. Saswata Chatterjee as Tuti-futi Bagchi is brilliant in his role. He is impressive with his emotions and more than his words, it's his eyes that do the talking. Saurabh Shukla as one of the many villains is impressive in his part.

Shining aspect of the film is its cinematography. Ravi Verman's frames feel right out of a storybook and the colours just pop out like any other Hollywood feel-good Disney film. VFX of the film is too bad as I had expected a lot from seeing the trailers.

I think Jagga Jasoos could have been perfect as a TV show with the possibility of Jagga being our own TinTin.

So,Jagga Jasoos is worth watching musical adventure from Bollywood where the music part scores high but adventure doesn't.Ranbir's stellar performance and Ravi Verman's DOP deserves applause.

My rating 6.75/10