Cast and Crew:
Movie Title: Love Aaj Kal
Release Date: July 31, 2009
Language: Hindi
Genre: Romance
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Rahul Khanna, Florence
Music: Pritam
Produced by: Saif Ali Khan, Dinesh Vijan
Directed by: Imtiaz Ali

The Movie:

‘Love Aaj Kal’ the title itself says about the love in today’s life. The movie is based on the commitment of young professionals in love life despite family odds. It offers us something fresh and and is a unique experiment in story telling and direction that works big time.

The Story:

The story is splitted into two parts and takes us to different periods, one happens in present days and the other happened 30 years ago. At first, the film begins with the modern day love story.

The Modern Day Story - London, San Francisco, Delhi - 2009 :

Studying in London, Jai (Saif) and Meera (Deepika) are in a relationship for two years but when career beckons, they mutually break off their relationship. Meera prepares to go to India to pursue her career in old historical places restorations whereas Jai waits in London with a hope of getting his dream job in San Fransico’s Golden Gate Co. The couple though broken off decides to keep in touch via net and phone calls and continue to remain friends. Restaurant owner Veer Singh (Rishi Kapoor) is a silent observer to their break up process since it happens in his restaurant. Unable to bear the far too casual approach related to affairs of heart of the couple, he tries to convince a reluctant Jai that he is making a mistake. Sensing that Jai is not taking him seriously, Veer then starts narrating him his own love story with Harleen Kaur (Giselle Monteiro) which took place far back in 1965 in Delhi.

The Flashback Story - Delhi, Calcutta - 1965 :

Veer Singh is struck by a thunderbolt when he sees Harleen for the first time. Soon after, he stands under a tree and swears that “is janam mein aur har janam mein… yehi meri votti banegi - Harleen Kaur.” So smitten is Veer with Harleen that he travels a thousand kilometers by train to stand under her balcony only to have a glimpse of her face. And yet not speak a word with her.

Veer does not understand how Jai can treat matters of the heart without passion, like a financial transaction. Jai does not understand how Veer Singh could have been so naïve and silly about Harleen in the days of his youth.

But as both stories unfold, we realize that the process of relationship might be different in different eras, but the experience of being in love remains the same. So there is the frolic and despair of modern living, the liberation and confusion.

Performances:

After the successful love story of Geet and Aditya in Jab We Met, Imitiaz replaced the memories of his earlier film with ‘Love Aaj Kal’. Director Imtiaz Ali has been success to define the meaning of Aaj Kal with his dialogues, which are crisp, concise and completely in sync with aaj ka lingo.

Both Saif and Deepika has given their career-best performances in this film that can fetch then number of awards for this year. Saif has always been at ease playing the cool no strings attached dude but in here he also succeeds in playing the brooding romantic Sardar Veer Singh very well and is extremely impressive in the post interval emotional sequences. Deepika wins hearts not just by looking extremely attractive throughout but also with the effortless ease she portrays her complex character.

Rishi Kapoor is extremely loveable as the mature Veer Singh and lends tremendous dignity to his character. Debutante Giselle Monteiro manages to speak volumes just through her expressions. Rahul Khanna in a special appearance is good and suits the character perfectly well. Raj Zutshi playing Harleen’s father reminds of Pawan Malhotra’s character of Kareena’s uncle in Jab We Met. Florence Brudenell Bruce playing Saif’s Swiss girlfriend doesn’t have much to do but manages to do a good job. Songs composed by Pritam has already top the charts and beats the heart of all.

Verdict:
Kal ka wine in Aaj ka bottle. Yet, tastes good..!

CineFresh Rating:

Tags: Bollywood, Deepika Padukone, Love Aaj Kal, Reviews, Saif Ali Khan