Movie Review - Love Aaj Kal

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Movie: Love Aaj Kal (Hindi, 2009)

Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rahul Khanna, Giselle Monteiro (not verified)

Director: Imtiaz Ali

Rating: **1/2 (Likeable)

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Are you someone who does not believe in love? or someone facing a problem falling in love? or have a girlfriend/boyfriend but not in love with her/him? Well now, to find your answers or to make it a bit easier for you to find these answers, you can go for the refresher course in love, and that is how I describe the movie 'Love Aaj Kal'. Yes, the movie is like a refresher course or a crash course in love.

An ultra modern couple living in London, who start going around after a lot of flirting, and even part ways by throwing a break up party, are very much believable in todays time. Though, few might differ with my point of view. Saif (Jai) & Deepika (Meera) do not want to get into a long distance, and therefore part ways. The loveable Rishi Kapoor (Old Veer Singh), who is the owner of a cafe where Saif & Deepika hangout a lot, though, disagrees that long distance relationships are not possible, and so, narrates his own love story to saif, and takes the audience into the 1960's era directed incredibly well by Imtiaz.

Rather, the old eastman color love between Saif, who also plays the role of the young Rishi Kapoor, and Giselle Monteiro (Harleen Kaur) is what makes you feel as if craving to be in the shoes of Veer Singh. The debutant Giselle (name cant be verified, as the producers have still kept her under wraps as a mystery) is a breath of fresh air and looks elegant and gorgeous, and makes a mark with just her expressions.

The songs are excellent, specially the one sung by Mohit Chauhan, and also Chor Bazaari which is the most popular out of the entire soundtrack. Though, Imtiaz has failed to position these songs in the movie successfully. You would find many songs out of place. One of the biggest flaws in the movie on part of the director.

Saif has done an excellent job as both the super cool flirt, and also as the sardarji in the 1960's era. Towards the end of the movie, as his character becomes more serious, you would notice how he has matured as one of the finest actors in the industry. The transition is very smooth, and both the director and the actor deserve applause.

Deepika, unlike the roles of the female actors in Imtiaz's previous movies, 'socha na tha' & 'jab we met' , does not have a very important role or scope to play in the movie. One reason is the two time periods the movie is based on, and having a different actor for the 60's era. Also, Deepika, is nowhere close to the flawless acting of Kareena Kapoor and Ayesha Takia respectively in JWM and SNT.

Rishi Kapoor, is at his usual best.

Rahul Khanna has not much to do in the movie, and to be honest, anyone would have done justice to his role.

The real winner of the movie are its dialogues, so much real, and so much in place with the present. Watch out for some real good one liners.

Imtiaz Ali, could have made this movie into a master piece, but somewhere lost his way, specially towards the end. 'Socha Na Tha' and 'Jab We Met' were alltogether of a different class when compared to Love Aaj Kal. Though, Imitiaz does create some magic moments in the movie for which it needs to be seen.

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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