Luck by Chance

When a successor hones the talents and legacy of the master, it reflects on the creativity of the apprentice. Zoya Akhtar follows the legendary footsteps of her father and gives us a story so familiar, yet so unique and credible. Her directional debut with 'Luck By Chance' proves to be a writer and director's accomplishment that is complemented by exemplary performances even though they may include numerous cameos. Farhan and Konkana embrace the characters of 2 struggling artists in the Hindi film industry with ease and subtlety.

The film is about Vikram Jaisingh, a sincere young Delhiite whose dream is to make it to the big screen in Bollywood and a struggling 'extra', Sona Sharma who plays brief and meaningless roles in 'B' grade films while making compromises to even make it this far. This story is also about Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan) who is tired of playing the filmy hero for the same producer, Romy Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) over and over. He simply wants a break with Karan Johar's upcoming movie. Khan's apparent unwillingness to work with Rolly finally gives him the chance in Johar's film while our struggler gets lucky by chance as the replacement. So begins the spoof on bollywood film making and the hypocrisy of the stars and starlets.

While Vikram has just found his companion in Sona, the outdoor shoot for Rolly's film brings him casually closer to Niki Walia (Isha Sherwani), the gorgeous daughter of the erstwhile glamour queen Neena Walia (Dimple). Relationships fail, strain and ignite in this film that apart from all stories that lie entangled is about realizing one's dreams in an adverse reality. Then, when dreams turn into reality, one realizes that fame and success are a "dangerous intoxication", rightly advised by ShahRukh Khan.

Luck By Chance is about the Hindi film industry and what makes it 'Bollywood' as we know it. The eccentric individuals, the stereotypical characters posing as experienced producers, veteran actors, unyielding directors, junior artists, hypocritical stars and the real gems in the industry. One has to get dirty to play in the mud and thus it brings success to some. While the chase to destiny tends to derail the dream train of even the earnest, it embraces those who endlessly strive toward it with a bit of Luck.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is pleasant and soulful with Javed Akhtar's lyrics. The film opens with a glimpse into the industry with the meaningful and enriching Yeh Zindagi bhi and ends with the soulful O Raahi Re while Sapno se bhare naina portrays the turmoil within a dreamer. Sadly, Hrithik's item song Bawre fails to leave a lasting impression.

Konkana Sen performs at her brilliant best with realism being at the crux of her versatility. Isha Sherwani plays the spoilt heroine convincingly while her on-screen mother Dimple Kapadia looks gorgeous as ever and gives her best after Dil Chahta Hai. Juhi Chawla is lovable as ever while Sanjay Kapoor surprises us with a good performance. Rishi Kapoor enacts the stereotypical Sindhi producer to perfection with his wit and zest while Hrithik underplays his real persona to play Zaffar Khan, an actor in a career ambivalence of sorts. Farhan proves yet again that he can be an actor almost as good as he is a director. Almost…...there are parts where he is totally unconvincing, especially when he is romancing Isha in the lush green outdoors of the Konkan region. But his emotions are subtle in effect and dialogue delivery stronger than that in his own show on T.V. The rest of the supporting cast plays their parts aptly to the script's demand while the cameos by the stars are for the first time, justified in purpose. Even though ShahRukh Khan or Karan Johar might have just a few lines to say, the impact lasts long enough.

But the film's biggest hero is Javed Akhtar. His exemplary writing, part in story and in dialogue is what makes the film remarkable. Zoya's direction could not have done much without such a strong story and script even though it may not show the audience something they haven't seen before. In the end, Luck By Chance wins hearts through its subtle story telling. Even though it may be a mocking tale of 'Bollywood', it never gets loud or exaggerated. While remaining very real, the story never turns into a Madhur Bhandarkar style 'hard hitting' real. Instead, the subtle rendering of the film world's reality and an achiever's journey through it leaves a lasting impact which will appease in the same manner even over a second watch.

Luck By Chance shows typical Bollywood fare in an atypical manner and brings to the spotlight, Zoya Akhtar.

• 8.64 on a scale of 1-10.

"Luck By Chance" has most of the hallmarks of a typical Bollywood production: shimmering visuals, eye-popping colors and costumes, and gorgeous young performers all placed in the service of a slick-fiction melodrama, punctuated by elaborately choreographed song-and-dance numbers that play like glittery shampoo commercials on steroids. The difference here is that since it is Bollywood itself that is the subject of the film, writer/director Zoya Akhtar gets to indulge in some mild self-criticism aimed at a few of the weaknesses inherent in the industry. For instance, the movie questions why nepotism seemingly plays so large a role in the hiring of actors and actresses, an inside-joke, one assumes, since Akhtar chose her own brother, Farhan, to play the lead character in this film. It also makes fun of the fact that no self-respecting mainstream Indian film would be caught dead without at least a half a dozen musical sequences, even though they are rarely germane to the plot or integral to the theme. That doesn't, however, keep the makers of "Luck By Chance" from fulfilling their mandated quota of said sequences. Apparently, iconoclasm will take one only so far when there are box office receipts at stake.

"Luck By Chance" tells of an aspiring young actor named Vikram (Akhtar) who lands the lead role in what is described to us as "a big-budget thriller/musical love story." His sudden success becomes a cause of dissension between him and his girlfriend, Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma), since she is herself a struggling actress and has been unable to pick up more than mere bit parts in unimpressive films up to this point. She also becomes jealous of Vikram's co-star, the lovely Nikki Walia (Isha Sarvani), whose over-controlling mother (Dimple Kapadia) was a famous movie actress herself in the 1970s.

In terms of dramaturgy and audience attention-spans, the story could definitely use some tightening, but it does capture some of the frustration, heartbreak and disappointment of trying to make it in the "biz." It also points out the capricious nature of filmdom success, making the case that it is often nothing more than sheer luck - of being at the right place at the right time or of having that indefinable "something" that sets one apart from all others - that ultimately determines who will make it as a star and who will not.

The romantic scenes are nicely played by Akhtar and Sharma, but there's no getting around the fact that the movie itself runs on for such an unconscionable length of time (over two-and-a-half-hours) that audiences (Western audiences, at least) are bound to lose interest in the story quite a ways prior to its actual completion. That's a shame because there's much that is likable and charming about "Luck By Chance."

Intro : A look into the inner fabric of what we today know as Bollywood.

The Scenario : The movie follows the trials and tribulations of two main characters (Farhan and Konkona) who are after the same goals - Bollywood Stardom. Along the way they come across a series of characters and personalities who form the crux of the industry. How much will one sacrifice of his/her principles and "person" to get ahead? What effect does rising stardom have on friends and family?

Another well crafted parallel story line is the point of view of a troubled Producer (Rishi Kapoor) and obstacles he needs to go through to get a bunch of ego's and personalities together. (Like a Coalition Government!)

The movie also gives us an insight into what goes behind the finished item - namely the unsung heroes in the industry. The music is pretty good and well placed in the film.

Pros : The casting director should get credit here - actors, special appearances have been rock solid without being overdone. The levels of black humour are abundant. Konkona and Farhan have been in top form but Rishi Kapoor (the arch-typical Punjabi Bollywood producer) probably gets away with the top prize here. Watch out for the little cameo by Saurab Shukla (Slumdog M, Dasvidaniya) who sets the movie rolling in many ways.

Cons : Perhaps the movie could have been a tad shorter but that may not be a problem if you're enjoying it. I know most people will not agree but despite being an improving and likable actor - Farhan's voice takes some getting used to. Well we got used to Rani M so it may not be that bad :)

this movie has a great star cast. after farrah khan's 'om shanti om', this movie had shots of most of the celebs in billowed. yet, the storyline was not very new.

the performances by all the actors were really good which kept me watching the movie without getting bored. the characterisations of rishi kapoor, dimple kapadia and her on screen daughter were really good and the actors had done justice to their roles.

'fashion' showed the struggles and betrayals that a model would face in the fashion industry and now this movie shows the same of an actor (and an actress) in the Hindi movie industry.

even though the story line is very much predictable it is still worth watching...

It makes me feel so happy to see a product like Luck By Chance coming out of India. A land full of commercial cinema! I enjoyed Luck By chance to the fullest. Zoya Akthar made a brilliant debut as a director, I could not find any flaws.

Farhan Akthar is one damn good actor, he expresses so good with his face. It might be because he is a brilliant director himself and knows how to deliver performances.

The cast of the whole movie was very convincing, Rishi Kapoor as Rolly was hilarious but very impactful, Konkona delivers a fine performance yet again, she is one of the best actresses in the country. All the cameos made sense and wasn't commercial just like Om Shanti Om for instance.

The music was used very well, no unnecessary playbacking portions, no misplacement of the songs. Sapno se bhare naina was very beautiful, Pyaar ki dastaan is shot very well aswel.

Zoya Akhtar is one director to look out for, she left me speechless. SRK's cameo is very effective, his last dialogue is very effective.

Awesome with a capitcal "A"!

Well done Zoya, Farhan, Konkona!