Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Review

'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is also about living each precious moment, as if there's no tomorrow. It's a film that also deals with surmounting and overpowering our personal fears. In this case, it changes the lives of three youngsters who embark on a road trip to Spain.

Zoya Akhtar represents the new brigade in Bollywood. But the talented storyteller is mired in controversies pertaining to 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'. Is it similar to 'Hangover'? Or is it a present-day adaptation of Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut 'Dil Chahta Hai'?

Sure, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is a buddy film like 'Dil Chahta Hai' or like any other film that focuses on friends. But comparing 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' won't be correct. For, the difference lies in the fact that the individuals in both the films face diverse problems. Aamir, Akshaye and Saif's dilemma is different from that of Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay. Perhaps, people tend to draw parallels between the two films because both focus on male bonding and are also produced by the same production house [Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar]. While 'Dil Chahta Hai' was about the friendship between three youngsters and the individual journey each of them undertakes subsequently, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is poles apart in terms of content [screenplay: Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar] as well as execution of the written material.

There's concern that 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' caters to the urban centres of India chiefly. People beyond the metros wouldn't be able to relate with the goings-on. Sure, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is a refined film, a metro-centric film primarily, so what's wrong with that? Yes, it's unlike the masala films some of us relish with glee. But if masala means entertainment, amusement, hilarity, escapade, emotions and drama, yes, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' has it all. Only thing, it's treated differently. Everyone has his/her style of interpreting a tale, after all.

'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is real and can be rightly termed as a slice of life film. The protagonists don't play 'heroes' in the conventional terms; they are not presented as larger than life here. Zoya's ability in bringing offbeat elements in mainstream cinema needs to be applauded and appreciated. Zoya understands the intricacies of human behavior, which was evident in her debut film, and 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' strives to impeccably integrate authentic characters and bona fide situations on celluloid.

But the film is not without its share of blemishes. To start with, the drama is missing in the first hour. In fact, the first half comes across as a collage of some well executed sequences. Also, the comic scenes fail to evoke mirth. The three protagonists' attempt to scare strangers in a restroom, bar and on a lonely street doesn't gel well with their suave personalities on-screen. However, if the intention was to evoke laughter, sorry, these scenes fall flat. Besides, mocking at Doordarshan seems out of place and also appears in poor taste. Most importantly, the first half comes across as a show reel to promote Spain Tourism.