Jawaani Jaaneman

This movie has something different and the comedy is more natural than slap-stick. It is no doubt a very hilarious and entertaining movie. It shows a lot of hard work on the parts of scriptwriting, casting and directing - essential for comedies. But the roles played by Alaya and Saif.

Jawaani Jaaneman review :

Remember Ole Ole!

That hit song from Yeh Dillagi (1994) which sorta launched Saif Ali Khan's career in the 90s. Since then, he has delivered many hits playing the kind hearted playboy who loves to live the fast life of booze and gals.

This film starts with Saif recreating his Ole Ole number and repeating his dil phek character from Yeh Dillagi. Obviously, hes a middle aged guy now but still doesn't want to settle down. No commitment. No marriage. No kids please.

Trying to hook up with a girl half his age, the cool dude gets a shock of his life when that girl reveals that she is actually his biological daughter. Not only that, she's also preggers and intends to keep the child.

Jawaani Jaaneman is a decently executed comedy with some genuinely lol moments leaving you with an emotional message that family is what a guy ultimately needs and flying solo can cause paralysis in the long run...Ouch!!

Director Nitin Kakkar keeps the narrative engaging throughout its two hours of run time. To his credit, there is never a dull moment though you know well how this baap- beti drama is gonna end. After all, we have seen Naseeruddin Shah coming on terms with his illegitimate son Jugal Hansraj in Shekhar Kapur's brilliant Masoom (1983). And later, our Salman bhaijaan also faced a similar bhool ka natija in Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998). Ho hum!

Of the cast, Saif can play this role in his sleep now and expectedly, he doesn't disappoint at all. Sacred Games' Kubbra Sait gets a meaty role and nails it. Tabu appears only in the second half but still leaves her mark. Chunky Pandey seems to be carrying forward his 'Housefull' character though he isn't named Pasta here.

Above all, it is debutant Alaya Furniturewala - Pooja Bedi's daughter - who leaves you mighty impressed with her splendid performance. It was a risky role to debut with but full marks to her for choosing this film over a typical dance around trees routine. Jawaani Jaaneman may or may not work at the ticket windows. But surely, Alaya F is here to stay!

Great direction. Mind-Blowing Music ..having Good starcast with their Acting Skills...All casts are in their best and role is totally justified. Manoj Kumar Khatoi's cinematography is commendable.

The dialogues are amazing and are well executed. The flawless movie, anyone can watch it N number of times, with anyone especially with family! Saif, Alaya and the meow meow girl. I simply liked the film.

Saif Ali Khan - the name synonymous with urban rom-coms - slips into the role of a trendy, uber-cool, suave and metrosexual guy with elegance. Films such as Kal Ho Naa Ho, Love Aaj Kal, Salaam Namaste and Dil Chahta Hai have already consolidated and cemented his status in this genre. That's the prime reason why Jawaani Jaaneman generates curiosity.

Youth-centric rom-com is deemed as the most dependable genre and Jawaani Jaaneman is no exception. The film is amusing, sharp, witty and contemporary. It does some serious talking as well. The efforts are worth it and the time, well spent. Director Nitin Kakkar handles the subject with utmost maturity and ensures that there are wild-whacky moments aplenty. Being an unconventionally innovative film, Jawaani Jaaneman explores new grounds in terms of story as well as execution. The fresh concept combined with ample twists and turns in the screenplay only ensure that it doesn't stagnate.

The marriage of realism with escapism as also form and content is quite evident in Jawaani Jaaneman. There are moments that offer tremendous entertainment. Hussain Dalal (Story) borrows incidents straight from life. Jawaani Jaaneman also works because the characters are so true to life and identifiable that you can't help but relate to the issue. The icing on the cake is, undoubtedly, the execution of the film and the shot compositions. At the onset, the screenplay may give you the feeling that it's all gloss and no soul but Jawaani Jaaneman catches you slowly, but firmly and doesn't leave you till the end. There's so much happening in the film every minute. A few sequences are unconvincing here and there but the plusses outweigh the minuses in a huge way.

Director Nitin Kakkar executes the film with effortless ease, handling a number of sequences with dexterity. Come to think of it, Jawaani Jaaneman is a complex film, which reflects the complexity and intricacies of human relationships. The highpoint of the film is the three sharply defined characters, besides, of course, the styling and visuals. Also, Nitin Kakkar's style of storytelling caters more to the multiplex crowd/elite/big city junta/Overseas audience rather than the aam public/hoi polloi/masses/frontbenchers. The generous usage of English will also restrict its appeal to urban centres. The humour, thankfully, is not of the slapstick variety; it's more subtle and situational. The emotional moments are not heavy either; they percolate unpretentiously. Everything that writers (Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal) and director Nitin Kakkar attempt to convey through their characters looks credible and relevant. More significantly, all of this is presented in an entertaining format. But the curse of the second half, which plagues most Hindi films, troubles Jawaani Jaaneman as well. The pace drops and the film starts to meander towards predictability. The second hour is half as exciting as the first. Unmemorable songs, an over-stretched story and the lethargic pacing ail the film.

It would be blasphemous to ignore the styling of the characters in Jawaani Jaaneman. Graceful designs dictate the wardrobes of the lead actors, which not only seizes your attention but also takes fashion trends frontward. Ketan Sodha's background score is classy and effectual. Manoj Kumar Khatoi's cinematography gives the film the international feel. In fact, the film has several stunning visuals. The dialogue (Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal) seem straight out of real-life but are wicked at times too.

Priyata Dixit casting is inch-perfect. Saif Ali Khan has that knack for rom-coms. He fits into his character fluently and leaves a deep-seated impression. He is outstanding in both emotional and light moments. The actor has worked hard on his looks and physique and looks smashing all through. The real scene-stealer is, without doubt, Alaya F, who not only looks sizzling hot but pitches in a confident performance. She lets herself loose, surrenders to her character wholly and nails the performance. It's an incredibly noticeable act. Tabu is in terrific form, portraying the role with gusto but she barely has any screen time or real purpose in the narrative. Kubbra Sait appears very confident and performance-wise, she is spot on. In fact, her character is fleshed out very well and with her performance, she makes it even more special. This is yet another feather in her cap! Farida Jalal, Chunky Panday and Kumud Mishra contribute so much to their sequences. They are super-efficient, as always.

On the whole, Jawaani Jaaneman has a single-point plan of engaging and amusing the spectators. Although the second half is not as tempting or intoxicating as the first hour. It pales when compared to the attention-grabbing first hour. Yet, all said and done, Jawaani Jaaneman is an immensely likeable film that should appeal mainly its target audience -- the youth. Go for it!