Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Abhimanyu Singh, Supriya Pathak, Gulshan Devaiah, Richa Chaddha, Barkha Bisht, Sharad Kelkar, Homi Wadia, Raza Murad
From the first frame, color bursts on the screen, dhols and nagadas thump and the rhythm of Bhansali's version of The Rann takes over. Two warring clans, Rajadis and Sanedas, the Montagues and Capulets in this version of Romeo And Juliet. They carry revenge in their hearts and guns in their hands. If they had their way, they will not breathe the same air.
The Rajadi hero, Ram (Ranveer) with his oiled and chiseled body and a devil may care attitude dares to fall in love with the enemy. Leela (Deepika) is the daughter of the Saneda godmother (Supriya Pathak). The first time they meet, in the splendor of Holi, its not subtle, it doesn't stop at just the ankhon hee aankhon main ishaaras. The bold and feisty Leela kisses first and speaks later. This grabbing-at-what-your-heart-desires sets the tone of love that this avatar of modern day Romeo and Juliet share. A gun carrying Leela and a porn video parlour owning Ram, their love is all consuming.
The passion and unashamed lust, throbbing in every frame Ranveer and Deepika share is crackling. This is what chemistry between on-screen lovers looks like. Not shy, using double-entendre with gusto - "Jigar pe mat ja warna trigger dabaa doongi", they steal kisses, have dangerous clandestine meetings, and head straight on, not caring where this liaison will lead.
The director wins at this because you root for these two foolish lovers, you know it is not going to end well, yet you hope.
Deepika Padukone is such a pleasure to watch, beautiful, delivers her finest. Smoky hot in some scenes and like a helpless doe in others, she makes this film work. Ranveer, I must say, has won me back after Band Baaja Barat, his only other film I liked his performance in. Hard work on his body pays off as he stands in a dangerously low tied dhoti, his abs glistening and his eyes smoldering. Their scenes have a rare rawness and sex appeal, which is missing from films these days.
The supporting cast is almost pitch perfect. Supriya Pathak puts the S in sinister and it's good to see her in this godmother avatar. Abhimanyu Singh and Sharad Kelkar are totally at ease playing the men who will kill for honour, Richa Chaddha and Barkha Bisht both give their best shot in the small roles they get in this saga. Special love for Raza Murad sahab, his voice still resonates. Gulshan Devaiah has a lot of promise, and he again has done a great job playing the bad man.
The grand canvas of this film is painted in deep red hues, reflecting blues and white sands by Ravi Varman. If you liked Barfi and the glowing dappled glaze, you would be mesmerized by the sheer holi he plays with the palette in front of him. Wasiq Khan's art, Anju Modi's costumes, the choreography, all compete in bringing SLB's vision to life.
Now for what did not work for me is the second half which just keeps stretching. The script fumbles and loses steam. Too many songs, specially the Priyanka Chopra number "Raam chahe Leela" which is there for no reason whatsoever. The story whose end we know, becomes convoluted with unnecessary twists and turns. I also ended up rolling eyes at a Twitter reference. You confused me there Mr. Bhansali, the Rannjor you show is so steeped in its own world, the gun blazing, law less communities, its hard to imagine twitter being part of their lives, still a mainly urban phenomenon.
This film is classic SLB. If you like his kind of cinema, his version of worlds he creates, you would definitely like this film. He knows romance and the play of emotions and has masterfully handled scenes, specially the climax. If you want realism, let me save you your ticket money right here.
My Verdict
3/5
