Following in the footsteps of her brother’s path breaking ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, that ushered in a new sense of realism to Hindi Cinema, Zoya Akhtar gives us a simpler and lighter look at 3 weeks in the life of 3 friends, as they come together on a road trip to Spain, each carrying a burden that they seek to be rid of. ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ is a film that you can relate to, a fact that makes it eminently watchable, even though it is floats somewhere between a wild ‘The Hangover’ and a coming-of-age film that DCH was.
The story revolves around 3 friends from childhood, Kabir, who is about to be married, Imran, who seeks to meet his real father after having learnt of him recently and Arjun, whose obsession with money and success has cost him a relationship and a sense of freedom in life. They go on a 3 week road-trip through Spain, where they attempt 3 activities chosen by each of them-sky diving, underwater diving and running with the bulls and in doing so, discover things about each other and themselves.
The screenplay by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti is extremely tight, in that it reveals a lot about each character without saying much in the first 10-15 mins. Once that happens, the audience starts knowing them and knows what to expect from each personality. The film is laced with excellent humor, which is good natured and healthy. The film makes no pretense about being heavy and chooses to bring in aspects of each character’s life through various experiences, without going into detailed flashbacks.
At times one does feel deprived of detail and that could be the only spoiler in the film. Spain’s beauty is captured superbly by Carlos Catalan and Akhtar’s direction brings out a great chemistry between the actors. She also gives her father a special platform by having Farhan’s character recite his poetry from time to time. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music is peppy and blends in some Spanish elements in the background score as well.
The acting performances are all top-notch. Hrithik Roshan as the grim and wound-up investment banker delivers another superlative performance. Abhay Deol as Kabir, the man who is getting married but wonders if it is the right thing to do is natural and at ease with his character. Farhan Akhtar reveals a comic side to his personality and has everyone in splits with his witty one-liners. Katrina Kaif as the half-American-half-Indian diving instructor is refreshing to watch as she plays a regular person and not a doll or item-girl. Kalki Koechlin as Kabir’s insecure fiancé is at her gnawing best.
‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ is a fun film to watch with friends and to reminisce on parts that we can relate to in our own lives.