Movie Review : Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani releases tomorrow. The Raj Kumar Santoshi directed film is produced by Tips and stars Ranbir Kapoor & Katrina Kaif. The Music is given by Pritam. In the blog poll which I did, more than 60% people voted for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani as there pick out of the two releases this week.

Expectations: The last time RajKumar Santoshi made a comedy was 1993 film Andaz Apna Apna which is a cult today. And, when he is returning to same genre after 16 years and that too with a little romance, you tend to expect a lot. Plus you also have Ranbir & Katrina as a bonus. Ranbir is in great form after the wonderful performance in Wake Up Sid. Music is so popular which also adds value to the anticipation. So, the expectations are huge.

Story/Script: The story is about a person called Prem who is the President of the local Happy Club and his only job is to make people smile and for that he keeps on helping others. Enters a girl “Jennifer” who he falls in love with, here starts the journey of this Prem who has a ghazab Kahani. The story of the film is outstanding and suits the genre of this film. The 1^st half is so strong that you literally would die laughing. I saw people laughing even when RK was crying because that’s the feel of the film. The second half somewhere takes a down turn and the quality decreases. But, nevertheless the film picks up again and has a beautiful ending. Very Good

Acting: Ranbir Kapoor is the going to be the greatest actor in India.

This won’t be an understatement after you watch this film. His last film was Wake Up Sid where his played a serious character of an unmotivated youth, which he played with perfection and now in his next film he has played an extremely funny character which matches the standards set by the greatest comic actors of the world. He is outstanding and deserves a lot of awards for this performance. Katrina Kaif is good but I feel she looks too healthy in this film. There chemistry is outstanding and I think they should do many more films together in the future. Upen Patel is irritating in the special appearance which he makes. All friends of Ranbir Kapoor are good and act their roles well. Darshan Jariwala has done a commendable job and his expressions are really good. Rest all are fine, overall the acting dept. is Excellent

Music: One after another, Pritam has given hit albums this year and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani should top that list. The whole album is a HIT. Not even a single song is dull. 2 songs by Atif Aslam, that’s double bumper for all Atif fans like me. Other songs like Main Tera, Meri Tamanna, Prem Ki Naiyya, etc are all very good. But, I am disappointed by the way they have been used in the film. Outstanding

Direction: When I read that Rajkumar Santoshi has been the highest paid director of his time, I don’t take it as a joke because he really deserves that.

He has made some highly successful and critical acclaimed movies in the recent past and follows it beautifully with this romantic comedy. The direction is superb, way ahead of other comedy directors of India. He has tried to create something on the lines of Charlie Chaplin & Mr Beans and that too without making it a copy. There aren’t any major flaws (considering it to be a mad comedy) in the film but I didn’t like the way the songs were used in the film. The music had a lot more potential which I feel is underutilized in the film. Anyways, he has done a commendable job and I wish he makes 1 comedy every year so that people get genuine happiness rather than watching the otherwise useless comedies. Very Good

Overall, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is a winner and should join the league of Andaz Apna Apna, Golmaal & Hera Pheri. It is clean, hilarious and melodic which makes it a classic. Enjoy its silliness and watch Ranbir Kapoor giving an award worthy performance which may emerge as his First Big Hit.

Rating: **** (Very Good)

Script/Story: ***1/2

Acting: ****1/4

Music: ****1/4

Direction: ****

At the box office, it should take a big start and may emerge a winner.

Box Office (Estimate): Hit/ Super Hit

Recommended for families, friends and everybody who can leave their brains home.