Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

"Dying is easy, comedy is hard" the British actor Donald Wolfit supposedly quipped on his deathbed. And how true it is! This is borne out in "Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani", the new film by Raj Kumar Santoshi. It starts out promisingly enough with Pop Art credits in the cheery primary hues beloved of Roy Lichtenstein. But if one thinks this hip opening is how the film will proceed, one would be way off the mark.

This romantic comedy is only fitfully funny, and too long drawn out to be amusing. Santoshi's cast resorts to extensive mugging and slapstick antics in the hope that they will be construed as light frothy madcap comedy. The film's male lead, Ranbir Kapoor, an extremely talented and likable young man, is set adrift without good lines and a leading lady, who though abundantly blessed with vapid good looks, is quite at a loss when she is required to act.

Ranbir Kapoor plays Prem, the good-for-nothing, good-natured leader of Happy Club. Luckily, he happens upon a group of young men considerably dimmer than he, and sets himself up as their leader. His followers look up to him admiringly and always address him as President, and he never leaves home without his name tag: President Prem.

The Happy Club—always the look-out for new members—aims to be happy, make everyone else around happy, have fun, and unite star-crossed lovers. Despite these simple yet lofty aspirations, the townsfolk do not look kindly upon the club members, as they have had ample experience of their freeloading ways.

In the course of a botched kidnapping to fulfill their mandate of reuniting lost loves, President Prem meets Jennifer (Katrina Kaif), the fair and flaky adoptive daughter of the Goan Catholic Pinto family that has just moved into town. Pretty, dimwitted Jenny becomes the town's librarian (it's all relative, you see: she probably has an IQ in the double digits), and Prem drops by to visit, but cannot be coaxed into doing any reading. When he discovers she is single, Prem promptly falls in love with her, and spends the rest of his days in adoring puppy dog fashion, getting underfoot and practically stalking her, but never actually declaring himself.

This being a "masala" Hindi film, there are complications and coincidences aplenty, and they go on and on until one is past caring. Both Prem and Jenny stammer when under emotional stress, and the audience is meant to discern through this device when they are playacting and when they are speaking the truth.

Let it never be said that I am a mean-spirited or ungenerous film critic: Katrina Kaif is very pretty, has a creamy complexion and looks good enough to eat with a spoon; she is probably a fine upstanding citizen, donates selflessly to worthy causes, always remembers to moisturize daily, brakes for the handicapped and small furry animals, and no doubt eschews the use of aerosol sprays because they release toxic fluorocarbons into the atmosphere. In short, Katrina Kaif is a paragon of virtue and goodness.

Sadly, however, she will never be mistaken for an actress. Her line readings are almost painful to the ear, but every once in a great while, almost by fluke, she gets a nuance right, startles herself, then looks beseechingly into the camera, imploring the audience to applaud her teeny-tiny microscopic iota of success as a thespian. Ranbir makes valiant attempts to be funny and act for both of them, and later, upon the introduction of an untalented muscle-bound interloper, for the three of them. No filmi hero should be required to do so much heavy lifting, and despite his best efforts, Ranbir is simply not man or actor enough to act for THREE people.

Mercifully, the supporting cast is much stronger than its female lead, and they contribute some much needed silliness to the proceedings.

After prolonged meanderings, the couple ends up in the fearsome villain's lair that charmingly resembles a giant bubble bath. Here, finally, there is some entertaining giddiness, but it's too little, too late. Even divine intervention by our blessed Redeemer Himself in a gentle cameo doesn't quite manage to save the film.

If you want to enjoy a movie with laughs and love story with innocence this is the movie for you. The narrative structure of films makes it interesting.

well if you think that raj kumar santoshi has recreated andaz apna apna's magic, answer is NO!! but the movie is worth to watch twice for RANBEER KAPOOR, some cracking comedy, romantic & emotional situations. Ranbeer has carried the movie all along on his shoulders with charming katrina kaif in a delightful manner. some of its parts are repetitive. The film is co-written and directed by raj kumar santoshi, salman khan is in special appearance, shot at scenic Ooty. its a funny romantic movie which reflects the true bollywood color after a long time. it is Prem's(Ranbir Kapoor) story who is a 9th standard drop-out from a middle class Hindu family. He falls in love with a Christian girl Jenny(Katrina Kaif). Prem whose main job is being the President of the Happy Club. The happy club hopes to make people happy but mostly its members boast about doing nothing. Jenny is a adopted orphan. Prem is never able to propose Jenny and finally finds out that Jenny loves Rahul(Upen Patel) but Jenny's parents wants her to get married to Tony. Santoshi keeps it light, fluffy and fun till the climax. The last scene on Jesus makes the best possible end. There is a real sweetness in the some scenes. Three out of five stars from my side.

Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani : I give 4 out of 5 Star .

1. About Movie : This is a Ajab and Ghajab simple Down to Earth Comedy for the whole Family .No double meaning dialog , Clean and simple comedy will defiantly make you laugh . Ranbeer & Katrina has grabbed everybody's attention and they are pairing for the 1st time .

2. About Story : Go and Watch it .

In short , where there is Prem,there is Problem and vice versa .

Very Subtle Comedy . This kind of simple comedy movie has been made after a long time .

If you are going to Watch the movie , It will make you laugh .

Which was my best Comedy Sequence in the Movie ?

(A) When Prem's mother is trying to stop Prem Father from going to the Bathroom.

(B) Very Precise and not over dramatic dialog , when prem asks his father to repeat the dialog during the last fight sequence .

(C) Scene where Prem ( Ranbir) Kisses Jenny (Kaif) and says to his father that it is very common ......

(D)Prem tells his father that "there are Great son , People remember what son has done and not father" Nobody remembers the Father .....

3. About Director : Rajkumar Santoshi His Last comedy movie was " Andaz Apna Apna " . Do not compare the Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani with Andaz apna apna . Both are 2 different movie . Only similarity is the Simple Comedy for the whole family .

Other Movies to Watch under the direction of Rajkumar Santhoshi : Andaz apna apna ( a must watch Comedy movie) , China Gate (Action), Pukar , Ghhayal (Action) , Ghatak (Action), Barsaat ( Romantic)

4. About Ranbir Kapoor : Prem is the character name in the movie . He did his job well in the comedy role and was able to carry the movie . He looks natural while doing dance sequence .

Other Ranbir Kapoor Movie : Bachna Hae Haseeno

5. About Katrina Kaif : Jenny in this movie . She did her job well too . She needs to work on Expressing herself in the movie . She is beautiful but needs improvement in acting .

Other Ranbeer Kapoor Movie :Singh is King , New York , Race etc....

I had lot of expectation with the song "Tu Janne Na " Video and both failed expressing them self . Both were expression less and the song demands emotions . Both the actors were lacking the feeling , emotions in the song.

6. Zakkir Hussain : Was Sajid Don in the movie and he did is part to the point . He performed well in the movie and audience liked him Other Zakhir Husain Movie: Shiva , Sarkaar

7. Darshan Jariwala and Smita Jayker : Prem Parents in the movie did a wonderful job . Their Comedy sequence where Smita try to stop Darshan from going to bathroom is hilarious.

8. Upen Patel : Jenny Boyfriend . Was o.k .

Music Review : There are around 8 songs in the album (excluding the remixes) . All together there are 14 songs in the album .

The album fits all kinds of moods . the music album is mix and match of Romantic , Hip hop and remixes .

Music Director: Pritam Release date : Nov 06 2009

Music Album Artist : Artists: K.K., Sunidhi Chauhan, Hard Kaur, Atif Aslam, Mika, Alisha Chinoy, Neeraj Shreedhar, Suzzane D'Mello, Javed Ali, Jojo, Soham, Rana Mazumdar, Ashish Pandit, Kailash Kher, Paresh, Naresh

******My Top Fav are : Tu Jaane Na & Tera Hone Laga hoo

1. Tera Hone Laga hoo : Alisha Chinoy's sensational voice and Atif Aslam exotic voice is back again with a melodious number.

2. Tu Jaane Na, a romantic number, is one of the best tracks. Sung by Atif Aslam . This song gives an impression of Qawwali too. There is another version of this song .

Atif has done a wonderful job . He has magic in his voice . He has carried the song very well and this song is a Hit .

5 Star to Atif for this song.

Even the Remix Version of "Tu Jaane Na" is great . Check out for yourself

Other Recommendations for Comedy Movie : Andaz Apna Apna , Golmal (staring Amol Palekar) , Hera Pheri , Chupke Chupke

When the creator of the inimitable and unforgettable Andaz Apna Apna ventures to beat the 'Davids' & Goliaths of Bollywood's Comedy genre at their own game, one needs to take RajKumar Santoshi seriously. With 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' (APKGK), Santoshi achieves what most have failed at – a fresh comedy with humour that is actually funny. Not that APKGK is flawless but there are more laughable scenes and dialogues than many comedies of recent times put together and for that, the movie is a wholesome entertainer. It does come with weird, inexplicable moments of unnecessary action, drama and slapstick and there is always scope for better comedy in those scenes but in the end, the dialogues, performances and several scenes make it an almost 'Ghazab' kahani.

Prem(Ranbir Kapoor) is the President of a Happy Club founded with his friends in a little town like Ooty to help estranged lovers and helpless souls. His encounter with the beautiful Jenny (Katrina Kaif) starts out as a riotous mix up that leads to him falling for her (literally, at times). This love story is partly sweet, partly cheesy but overall very refreshing because of the amazing chemistry of the duo that seems completely at home in their comic avatars. The movie will make you giggle, chuckle and even laugh your ass of as Prem attempts to win Jenny's heart. Enter Upen Patel………

One big problem with APKGK is its casting. Most actors would live just to act in RajKumar Santoshi's comedy film but he decided to cast Upen Patel out of all people. This guy still cannot speak fluently and can barely stand straight. One can think of at least 43 actors who could've done so much better than him. Govind Namdeo as his father is also typecast as either a wicked policeman or a crooked politician. This time his role takes away the humour from the film. Darshan Jariwala as Prem's father is very impressive and his dialogue delivery at times elevates a simple humorous scene to make it memorable. Katrina Kaif looks gorgeous in the simplest of outfits and she is more comfortable smiling, laughing and crying than many actresses who struggle with it. Her dialogue delivery has improved considerably, thus augmenting the chemistry with her hero. Ranbir Kapoor has enjoyed this film. One can see that he doesn't need to act as his character most of the time. He is a natural actor in that sense, much like his father and this film establishes him, yet again as the finest of his generation. His comic timing is super and it would really be a treat to watch him perform with veteran actors in more funny movies.

Pritam's musical score rocks again. This time, he combines the distinct talents of Jaaved Ali, Neeraj Shridhar, KK, Hard Kaur and Atif Aslam in a soundtrack with different moods and themes. Jaaved Ali in a romantic Aa Jao Meri Tamanna, Hard Kaur in Follow Me with Ranbir's eccentric dancing, KK in Main Tera Dhadkan Teri at his usual best, Neeraj in a rather funny Prem ki Naiya, Atif Aslam & Alisha Chinoy in the marvelous Tera Hone Laga Hoon and a solo by Atif in a soulful Tu Jaane na shot in spectacular locales of Turkey while the rest of the film was shot in Goa. Santoshi does that…. Remember he shot Pukar on a set and took the actors to the glaciers of Alaska for one song….

In terms of noteworthy flaws, a recurring problem that is noticed is the amateur editing. The scenes jump from one sequence to another without transition or meaning. Some inane sequences drag longer than they should and drama overpowers the subtlety. Santoshi too is to be blamed for the witless opening sequence, the climax action that is reminiscent of Andaz Apna Apna but nowhere even close, the ridiculous sporadic action sequences and the inapt casting.

Yet, APKGK is worth watching for the numerous scenes and dialogues that are fresh in flavor, witty in humour and enjoyable due to some fine performances mainly by Ranbir, Katrina and Jariwala. While one tries to recollect the previous funny one liner while watching the film, another one just pops up and believe it or not…. that is rare in movies these days….

• 7.99 on a scale of 1-10.