Yuva …

‘Yuva’ just didn’t make it. It looked like it was meant to be something far better but unfortunately, it didn’t land as far as that. In fact, it could have been shot in B’bay because B’bay in ‘Bombay’ looked like a more familiar city to Mani Ratnam than did Kolkata in ‘Yuva’. Mani Ratnam happens to be a favourite film-maker of mine and I’d have greatly wanted ‘Yuva’ to make the mark like ‘Roja’ or ‘Bombay’ or ‘Anjali’. But it failed to do so.
After the classy acts in ‘Thiruda Thiruda’ and ‘Roja’, ‘Yuva’ almost seemed amateurish. Those special warm touches of romance that is embedded in every Mani Ratnam film – they appeared very half-baked, in case of ‘Yuva’. AB Junior had done a fine job, well somewhat. Pinch says that his Dad, had he done the role, would have imparted more meanness to Lallan Singh. AB, being mean to his wife, sounds inconceivable to me. Anyways, as for the rest of the characters, Rani Mukherjee looks… beautiful. That voice of hers, as irritating as it may sound to many others, is sexy. Husky, throaty… and her laugh. She is so earthy and natural in her beauty. As opposed to Kareena who looks like a dream in this film. She has a role less spunky/bouncy/perky as compared to the roles in ‘K3G’ or ‘Mujhse ….’ or any others. Somewhat subdued and less loud than her former roles… She looks fabulous, though! Great clothes too!
Ajay Devgun looked like a misfit. He appeared somewhat old to play the role of a student leader. But he did a neat job, like he always does… Esha Deol didn’t have much of a role to speak of. Pretty so-so… Vivek Oberoi appears to have lost that essential charm and earnestness which characterised his performances in ‘Saathiya’ and ‘Company’. He looked old in this film; appears to be balding…:-(

Choreography could have been a lot better. Especially the songs ‘Fanaa’ and ‘Khuda Hafiz’. Could have been MUCH better…

Om Puri was a class act, as usual….