U Me Aur Hum

Ajay Devgan's U, Me Aur Hum is an imperfect film. It will never be taught in a film school. Intellectually, you can make a laundry list of the flaws in the film. Cynics will like to point out the similarities between this and some Hollywood films like The Notebook, Iris and Away From Her - all films involving Alzheimer's and memory loss.

There are some who have even pointed out that Devgan should have done a scene-by-scene copy instead of a thematic one. I wish you had a magnetic cynic-o-meter at the theaters for these cynics so they would not be allowed to watch the film.

U, Me Aur Hum is the realization of Devgan's belief in his film and his conviction in telling a story his way. It is an emotional film and in that sense a very good film. It works because the drama is genuine and Ajay and Kajole are seasoned performers who have great chemistry.

There are some who say that Ajay and Kajole have gotten old. Those people are not only cynical but superficial as well. Such people should perhaps invest their money in a copy of Maxim or FHM instead of this film.

To the passionate independent filmmaker U, Me Aur Hum would be very inspiring. Devgan has put everything into a story he believed and then put a team of people together who may or may not be the who's who in Bollywood, but who are nevertheless talented. These people have obviously bought into Devgan's vision and what has translated on screen is very genuine, very from-the-heart and very moving.

Co-writer Robin Bhatt, co-producer Kumar Mangat, cinematographer Aseem Bajaj, composer Vishal Bharadwaj, supporting cast Sachin Khedekar, Divya Dutta and gang are all to be applauded for their efforts. Special mention to new lyricist Munna Dhiman - seems like another Prasoon Joshi in the making.

Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgan - apart from being actor-director-producers - have something else in common: they have always been original in their thinking and tread their own path. They are superstars aspiring to be and remain artists. The coming years in Bollywood are going to be very exciting. The size of the film will not be based on budget or star power, but ideas and heart. Ajay Devgan will also have his part to play in these new 'big' films.

There is not a long list of actors who also became successful directors. But first Aamir Khan successfully proved it and now Ajay Devgan also shows his sparks of direction.

His directorial debut is a sensitive and emotional love story of a married couple. The real life pair Ajay & Kajol both fit to their roles as a 'T'. A special worthy praise is deserved by Kajol for her lovable act and Ajay for choosing a difficult subject.

In simple words, U Me Aur Hum is not a family drama, it is not a film with bubbly valentine kind of love. But its intense, emotional and mature in content. Though it lacks in some departments but the overall impact at the end of the movie is quite touchy.

The first half starts with influences of "An Affair To Remember" and "The Notebook". But after the marriage of the lead actors, the film just moves on to a different unexpected platform. The story is about the wife suffering with Alzheimer disease and how the family and friends around, face this truth with love and courage.

No doubt a difficult subject to choose for a directorial debut. The only problem is that the viewers expected a good enjoyable love story with many lighter moments to share. But the film is more of a slow, heavy and mature love story. Still Ajay Devgan, the director, manages to extract brilliant performances and also visualizes some memorable scenes which can make your eyes wet. Specially the last hour of the film. It has some very emotional scenes to cherish.

The most lacking department of the movie is the Music. If only it had some soothing and melodious love songs, the impact would have been 10 times better. There is no slow & soft love song with meaningful lyrics which was a must according to the demand of the script as I see it. May be Ajay avoided that deliberately. Vishal Bhardwaj misses the train this time.

Performance wise Kajol is superlative and majestic in all her characters. As a smart waitress, as a girl ready to fall in love, as a lover, as a wife and as a mother. She slips into all shades of her character with such an ease and elegance. Unarguably one of her best performances till date. Ajay is soft and has underplayed his character, but he emotes well as a worried and caring husband. His performance in the second half is much better and impressive. Another gem of a performance is by Divya Dutta. She excels in her small role and makes her presence felt. The scenes where all the friends are together are well written and executed.

It can be said that after "Taare Zameen Par" this is the second movie on the theme of a disease and how the family copes with it. But there should be no comparison drawn between the two. "U Me Aur Hum" is more for the mature audiences and it may be treated as "Heavy" by the younger generation.

But the movie has the truth of life in it. Anybody can face this, as we all live in an uncertain life. And "U ME Aur Hum" teaches how to live life with love even when the times are real tough.

Go for it if you love intense drama and feel that Love is the way to live Life. (I really wish it had better music)

Ajay Devgan's directorial debut U, Me Aur Hum is quite interesting for its light and colourful background. But despite a promising combination of romance and drama, beautiful locations and two great actors who are perfect for their respective parts, it loses itself. It is lost within all the unnecessary jokes, the confusing flashbacks and the ever-changing sequences from present to past and vice-versa. It's a good story marred by unstable and average film-making. In the first half it heavily relies on comedy that does not really bring out great laughs. In the second, it is far more interesting but never really manages to remain consistent. The dialogues, the drama are uninspiring, as is the film. The film is generally watchable despite the weak script and has several great things about it. Kajol and Ajay Devgan, a real-life couple, give two good performances, and their chemistry is obviously good as it has always been. Ajay, in a different role, is cool, mature and convincing. Aactually, as a director, he does a relatively impressive debut as well, and he rightly makes his talented wife the centre of attention here. Yeh, and it is our Kajol, who is natural and compelling. I liked the entire concept of Alzheimer and predicted a typical emotionally temperamental film. Happily, it didn't go over-the-top. But sadly, I somehow lost it and didn't see the point of the film. Maybe I should re-watch it.

I must say I have been a fan of Kajol for years but I only recently have been a fan of Ajay's. This guy is awesome as a actor and am sorry to have found him so late. I am amazed by some of his past performances. Getting back to the movie.

I loved this movie. It is excellent. One of the best Bollywood movies that I have seen in long time. I am dying to get the DVD. Finally a mature Bollywood movie with a good plot and good acting and nice cinematography. I was not bored at all through out the movie.

First of all it seems a lot shorter than the other Bollywood movies I have seen. It's not 5 hrs but 2 1/2 hrs.

The Ajay and Kajol jodi is awesome together. I know it been a long time since this Jodi has worked but they are beautiful with each other. i would classify in the league of SRK and Kajol and Aamir and Kajol. They look real good like they belong to each other. The chemistry is smoking hot. You can see that there is a lot of love and comfort between them and finally it shows on scene.

Watch this movie for the performances,the direction and the story. It is hard to believe that it is Devgan's first direction. Ajay Devgan is really good at making romantic movies although I was surprised because I don't think of him in romantic roles. If this is his first direction than he is very gifted. It is beautifully shot. This movie has everything.

Both AD and Kajol truly deserve all the awards including the national award for their acting. Kajol has never looked more beautiful. Kajol is the only one of the current Bollywood actress that could play this role. She really gets in the skin of characters that she plays. Ajay also was truly amazing in his role. This guys really has the midas touch. These two are Bollywood's best actors by far. Ajay is as good as Aamir and maybe better. I think this guys is good at any role he plays. Although he is not the typical pretty boy, he is really attractive and you fall in love with his charm.

The story is excellent. There were several memoriable scenes that you were left with. It is both a powerful and gripping. The first half was funny and entertaining. The second half is when the movies really made it for me. I think what works is Ajay's intention that people leave with the right message. I appreciate what he has done. You leaving contemplating life and the issues that surround you. You will need lots of tissues in the second half. I think that if you are married or in a relationship you will appreciate this movie a lot more than if you are single. Finally a movie that brings families together than separating them.

I thought the music was very nice and it goes very well with the scenes. I was singing the theme song for days. The costumes were also very nice. I want to get my hands on some of them. I was also surprised by the humor in the first half.

My only objections is that it was not shot in the beautiful European towns like other Bollywood movies and the dancing limited. I guess I should expect the dancing limitation since the Devgan doesn't having the great dancer reputation.

If you have to catch one movie this year it is U ME AUR HUM.. It deserves that national award and should sweep the all awards. It is Hollywood caliber.

My rating is excellent. Must watch..You will not be disappointed.

I was very disappointed by Raju Chacha (which was produced by Ajay Devgan) and I was hoping U ME AUR HUM will not go the same way.

And believe me I ended up enjoying the movie. Though I am not yet sure whether this a rip-off of some Hollywood movie, but was impressed with the cute love story, refreshing camera work, eye-catching colors, funny and enjoyable dialouges, good music (though it could have done with less songs) and last very very good acting by Ajay and Kajol.

After Amir Khan, its Ajay Devgan's turn to impress.

Strongly Recommended!!!

8.5/10