Yuva

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.

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.

If you like Hindi movies, dont miss YUVA, the latest and best by Mani Ratnam (maker of Roja, Bombay and Dil Se). Yuva is better than all the last three. Although it has all the usual elements dance/song/action etc, direction is superb and the theme of youth revolting against corruption and contributing to society keeps it going. Ajay Devgan is a student leader who stands against threatening politician Om Puri. Vivek Oberoy is a happy go lucky Romeo and is transformed into a rebellion when he meets Ajay Devgan. Abhishek Bachchan is a gangster tapori being exploited by Om Puri. All have excelled in their acting.

Entire movie is made in Calcutta, this is the best depiction of this city. One is left amazed by the beautiful locales of Calcutta, hitherto unknown to outsiders.

This is how the powerful media of cinema can be used to portray optimism of the youth energy. Unfortunately, most of the bollywood is not doing such work.

I agree to kaushik dave up to some extent that it bears a resemblance with Amores Perros but at one point only and it is that there are three different stories meeting at one point but that is the end.

What impresses me more about this movie is the true depiction of youth's mind (sp. in Pakistan, India and other third world countries). Today's youth is matured but confused, helping but selfish for themselves and above all sentimental yet insensitive. Like Arjun, on the face he is loving, caring and always wants to be with family but inside wants to go to US for good career. Same is true for Lallan, very selfish thinks only for himself and nothing else. But the true high point of the movie is Michael Thinking and approach towards things. He is the one driving force for others.

As per direction, Mani Ratman's movie is always special for its visual feat and that is also true for this movie. And above all AR Rehman Music is true to the story.

The problem with the Hindi Film Industry has been low life Johnny-come-lately directors and actors who has taken over the Industry with the help of the Media pied piper morons and they have been put on the pedestal and worshiped as if we need these morons. Here comes Mani Ratnam (Ram Gopal Varma, Vikaram Bhatt,etc) who know talent when they see one (Esha Deol and exception) and cast them irrespective of the the Box office predictions. This is one tightly packaged and past paced movie with some great dialog, acting and direction. Abishek performance should make his papa proud. This kid has come a long way and he is even beginning to look like his old man. Next comes Rani, Vivek. Of course the Veteran Om Puri, is a delight to watch no matter what he does. Esha Deol cannot act-period. Ratnam or a Varma cannot extract any acting from this lasse-it is like trying to get juice out of a scotch tape. The stories run parallel and concurrently which adds a mystery like quality to the narration and one of the staple of a good cinema-the dialog is superb. The action scenes are very authentic and not the cheap variety seen in the decadent and discrepit Sharukh Khan and Salman Khan films. Mani Ratnam and Ram Gopal Varma have elevated the Hindi Cinema to the level that an Indian should be proud of, in fact this film sounds like a fast version of a Satyajit Ray film and that is a compliment for a filmmaker.