Yuva

The main reasons to watch this film are Mani Ratnam, A.R.Rahman, and Abishek Bachan.

There is not much of a story but the screenplay is awesome. The way Mani shows the three men from different walks of life meet on a bridge three times and their flashbacks is refreshingly new.

I think it should have been publicized well before they released this film. It deserved a hit.

I have also seen the Telugu version, in which Madhavan's performance is outstanding.

All in all, a new cinematic experience.

To be honest, I was a bit let down when I read the reviews on the net from all the possible sites on net. I am great admirer of Mani Rathnam and his style, which is unique by itself - a great master in story-telling. With great reluctance I mustered up my courage to watch the movie - at least for Mani Rathnam's sake (and A R Rahman's songs). All the negative reviews in a way did a good thing - it lowered my expectations. And I did like the movie.

For reason unknown, looks like all the movie critics have joined hands and decided to have a go at Yuva. A lot has been criticised about the movie and to such an extent that Mani had to call for a press conference to ward off the negative publicity the movie was attracting owing to the film critics. From the promos and the songs, the audience were not expecting a movie on politics. Guess that added fuel to the fire.

The story is good - conveys a social message to the youth and its place in the society. Story telling format is quite intelligent - I mean in three independent chapters you will see bits and pieces of other chapters and you say "oh.... it makes sense and explains that bit from earlier chapter".

Abhishek-Rani track steal the show. Great performance from the two.

Vivek-Kareena track is sweet. Okay its not Karan Johar, Sooraj Barjatya or Ghai or Rai types but sensible. We need more of these. Vivek-Anant Nag relationship is portrayed well. Ajay-Eesha track is okay. Eesha should join acting classes.

Om Puri - first class. Vijay Raaz - should have been given more scope.

Its the fault of Indian audience as well who haven't matured yet and seek the same thrash every time. It strongly denotes that every Bollywood film should adhere to the formula or else face the wrath. I mean - seriously how many people have watched 3-Deewarien and Maqbool. I am tired of the positive and 5-star reviews given to movies of Johar's, Barjatya's, Chopra's, Ghai's and Dhawan's for their same old formula stuff.

Believe me folks, as other reviews state here, I reiterate - forget the critics reviews, watch the movie with a open mind and you will not be disappointed.

What else would you call a movie that has a little bit for everyone -- Yuva is an entertainer first -- of course it has a lot of firsts as well..the structure, for example, is something that is unique...all the 3 story lines start on Howrah bridge and how the director comes back to the Howrah bridge accident to take of to one of the 3 stories is poetic.. Songs add lustre to this painting and is very inherent to the flow. Anurag's dialogues are a huge plus -- I loved Om Puri's Bengali dialogues --"paranthu lekin" As far as the cast goes -- Ajay did really well as did Abhishek -- Among the ladies, I loved Esha. The Tamil version was not as engrossing as the Hindi version was, and I think that was primarily because of the cast. Mani is Mani...awesome movie.

Yuva is a great comeback for Maniratnam as a Hindi film director after the unsuccessful Dil Se. His earlier regional language films like Velu Nayakan, Anjali, Roja, Bombay, Iruvar and many more have been highly successful all over India. Yuva is a thrilling story of three young guns of Calcutta whose stories get connected by a road mishap. The film is based upon college. Ajay Devgan (two time National Award winner) has given a fantastic performance as a college leader along with Vivek Oberoi. The actors are aptly casted and the film is technically very good. Cinematography is just out of this world. But the limelight is stolen by Abhishek Bachchan who has given the performance of a lifetime. His role of a street-side malefactor will surely win him awards. HATS OFF TO YUVA & MANIRATNAM!!!

Okay so when the music of this movie came out, I was hopping around in hopes that Mani Ratnam will finally be successful in the Hindi film industry. But of course the film released and tanked at the box office. I was quite depressed afterward and unsure of whether to watch the film, but recently, upon a friend's recommendation, I rented it. After watching it, all I have to say is that box office says absolutely nothing about the merit of a movie (I'm sure a lot of people knew that already). Bottom line: YUVA is awesome.

Sure it isn't perfect, and not near most of Ratnam's tamil movies, but it is definitely worth watching. The story is about 3 young men who come from vastly different backgrounds and schools of thought. One incident on a bridge brings them together, changing their fates forever.

Abhishek Bachchan is definitely come into his own with this role. His "Lallan" is both menacing and pitiable (like the song Kabhi Neem Neem, Kabhi Shahed Shahed aptly describes). Its quite unreal how he gets into the skin of his character. He not only picked up the mannerisms but managed to capture the volatility, anger and ambition that defines Lallan. Rani Mukherji has really become my favorite actress these days. Her performance as Shashi (Lallan's wife) really compliments Bachchan's and together they make their story the most interesting and compelling aspect of the movie.

Ajay Devgan and Vivek Oberoi are decent and do their jobs. Its not really their fault that Bachchan got the strongest part. Esha Deol and Kareena Kapoor don't have roles big enough to impact the movie in any way. Ajay's story as a student leader is good but might have been better. Its not super powerful but at the same time, that aspect makes the story a lot more real. Ajay's "Michael Mukherjee" doesn't overdue the preaching and the patriotism, he simply believes that his country can do better and he wants to lend a hand. Vivek Oberoi's Arjun is a simple soul until he crosses paths with Michael. Arjun's transformation from a carefree youth to someone finding a cause is not particularly powerful and could have been expanded a little. But again, this only makes it a little more real. Nobody makes that transformation overnight. Sure he found a purpose, but he's not immediately going to become the second coming of Michael Mukherjee. The scene where he quietly volunteers to stand elections with Michael is very subtle but made me think of how other directors might have dealt with that situation. You would get Arjun shouting patriotic verse at the top of his lungs with tears in his eyes. Just a tad unrealistic.

I wholeheartedly recommend this film to everyone not only because its worth your time but also so we somehow send a message to Ratnam not to get discouraged. Please continue to tell your stories (in Hindi). We are listening.