Hi, folks. Don't worry, be happy. Come on; let us go on a roller - coaster trip to Spain, that land of matadors and buxom gals. Life must be lived here and now. That in short is the theme and philosophy of the film "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara," a new release directed by a lady Zoya Akhtar.
It stars Hrithik Roshan [you know who], Farhan Akhtar [37 – year - old son of that legend in the film world Javed Akhtar], Abhay Deol [not so famous son of Dharmendra], current reigning queen of Hindi film world Katrina Kaif [mercy be upon God, Aishwarya Rai is pregnant] and to me, the unknown Kalki Koechlin [not a wow girl but try pronouncing the second part of her name correctly and the prize is yours].
Let us begin. Kabir [Abhay Deol] goes down on his knees asking for the hand of Natasha [Kalki Koechlin] so that he could kiss her palm and gently slip the ring [I could see people trying to check if it was diamond, platinum or white gold or a fake] and seal his love for her. She hesitates, like all good, virgin girls who should first create anxiety in the mind of the suitor to draw out more words and emotions. That is exactly what happens here.
Kabir says, “Oh, dear me, quick, say yes, now. My knee is hurting”. And the sleek, long, pink, delicate hand of Natasha extends as our Kabir slips quickly that ring lest she should withdraw her hand. Kabir now meets - up with two of his school friends: Imran [Farhan Akhtar], son of a single mother with the biological father, a painter to boot, who probably had a one - night stand with his mother and staying in Spain; the other friend is Arjun [Hrithik Roshan], with a divinely designed clump of a right thumb considered lucky, a glimpse of which you get in the film.
These three are like the three Musketeers of that English classic with their motto — all for one and one for all. All the three seem to be at a loose end with their over - bearing parents from whom they plan to escape to Spain. And they do. They freak out on wine - glasses and chasing gals, living life dangerously and uproariously. Sun, sand and sex. It's heaven indeed to be young and daring. Humans are not cats — said to have nine lives. And no matter what our religious belief is about rebirth — life after death — these boys seem to believe that there is only one life; so live it up now and here, dammit. Naturally, there is not a single dull moment. They taunt and tease each other. They quarrel and then reconcile. They dare to live dangerously when they find fun in living that way.
When Arjun, a stock broker with natural love for money hesitates saying that he would not venture into dangerous, risky sports like scuba diving [to swim with the fish, seeing coral reef and that wonderful, colourful aquatic life underwater], only after he is forty, Imran was quick to remind him — "What guarantee is there that you would live up to forty?" This puts sense into the head of that money - minded Arjun. He quickly jumps into the sea with the underwater trainer Laila [Katrina Kaif]. Who wouldn't anyway? I thought Imran was turning yellow with J. Who wouldn't? As Arjun and Laila swim and slither underwater wearing the oxygen mask, love blossoms. So I thought. But the underwater shots are breathtaking, so real as if the viewer is right there.
Similarly they venture at other adventure sports like sky - diving, tomato - throwing and running for their dear life from the menacingly charging gargantuan Spanish bulls. Our three wonderful, garrulous, fun - loving, life - loving Musketeers survive all these dangers and win back their girls of desire to live happily thereafter.
Go and see the picture. You will not only visit Spain cheap at the cost of a mere cinema ticket but also spend a few happy hours, learning how one should live life while still young or learn from the philosophy in the dialogue if you are old like me. And try to see it in PVR cinema. You get the feel of 3 - D and IMAX. Enjoy life, when you are still alive!
K. B. Ganapathy
Courtesy: Star of Mysore
