Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani — Just how could the maker of Wake Up Sid make this one?!

“Though people tell me that they loved Wake Up Sid and those within and outside the industry too feel that from trade perspective it was a good success, I always carried this grudge in my heart that it didn’t do as much as I had expected. Back then, I really wanted Wake Up Sid to do much better in theatres. It continues to do well on satellite but on its release, I was disheartened even though others told me that it was doing just fine. Guess the humungous collections for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani are compensating for Wake Up Sid. I am feeling truly content and justified now. It is a redemption of sorts.” - Ayan Mukherji (Director of ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ and ‘Wake Up Sid’). This is the only plausible explanation for how Ayan could’ve made YJHD after WUS!

Bunny (Ranbir) is a carefree, bindaas guy who just wants to live his dreams of traveling the whole world while being free of any commitments whatsoever. His friends Avi (Aditya Roy Kapur) and Aditi (Kalki) along with him are a gang of mad, carefree friends having the time of their lives. Naina (Deepika) meanwhile is also a schoolmate of these three and unexpectedly joins them for a vacation which sets her free and turns her from a shy girl who holds back into a free, independent woman.

One can’t help but draw several parallels between YJHD and Director Ayan Mukerji’s previous ‘Wake Up Sid’ — the boy’s evolution into manhood, the father-son relationship that matures over time, the friendships that get strained and later rebuilt and so on. However YJHD is not a patch on Wake Up Sid.

While the latter was a relatable, engaging tale, YJHD is at best tolerable. The film fails in making the viewer relate with its central character — Bunny played by Ranbir Kapoor. A poorly etched character, Bunny in fact leaves the viewer confused with the many unexplainable contradictions in his actions. Take the example of his insensitivity towards everyone but extreme attention towards Naina (Deepika) right from the start. Or take the instance when the same brash and careless Bunny who cares two hoods for studies or a future willingly takes of to the US for a prestigious 4 year long course.

The plot, though not intolerable or repulsive for a moment, has some glaring loopholes. Naina falls for Bunny in a span of 10 days and transforms completely into someone she has never been. Naina’s love for Bunny as well as the friendship between Aditi, Avi and Bunny picks up just from where it left off after 8 years of separation although they were hardly in touch in between. Also, the second half is considerably slower than the first and leaves you slightly frustrated by the time it reaches its expected climax.

In a story that essentially focuses on 10 days spent in Manali and a week in Udaipur, the songs composed by Pritam seem too many and too frequent. However take nothing away from all the wonderful melodies composed by Pritam, with ‘Ilahi’ and ‘Kabira’ taking the cake. Remo D’souza’s wonderful choreography shines in ‘Badtameez Dil’ and the strangely written ‘Dilli waali girlfriend’.

As for the performances, the girls take the cake away and vastly overshadow the boys this time. Deepika Padukone is in top form and is perhaps the best etched character in the movie. Her expressions, her vulnerability and her held back emotions are transmitted absolutely accurately to the viewer. Although there are the customary scenes where she is unnecessarily clad in traditional dresses shorter than a bikini top, she’s the character you remember at the end of it all. Kalki is brilliant too and is improving with each film. Ranbir and Aditya, though flawless, surprisingly fail to leave a striking performance. I see very little chances of Ranbir being nominated for the ‘Best Actor’ award for this flick. Farooque Shaikh, even in a very short role, reminds you of how some wonderful actors are now ignored in Hindi cinema.

Yes YJHD has already crossed over 65 Crores in just 3 days and while I would strongly prefer such a movie earning money as compared to a Salman Khan slugfest, YJHD is far from ideal and leaves you disappointed, especially after the massive hype created by its pre-release publicity. Although fairly reasonable for a one time watch, you can’t help but feel aloof from the proceedings you are witness to for a long 160 minutes.

RATING: 2/5 Stars