Mumbai: The theme of 'Good friends with a no strings attached ' relationship falling in love has become an oft dealt subject in Bollywood films in recent years like 'Love aajkal', 'Tamaasha' and 'Befikre'.Shaad Ali's 'Ok Jaanu', though dealing with a similar theme, however, comes across as different thanks largely to the beautiful romantic moments created by the director, who earlier gave us the memorable 'Saathiya'.
Adding to the romantic fervor is the music by maestro A R Rahman, which recreates the magic he created through his melodies in 'Saathiya', 'Bombay' and 'Guru'.The film begins with Adi (Aditya Roy Kapur), a video game developer saving a complete stranger Tara (Shraddha Kapoor), an architect, who was about to jump in front of a local train in Mumbai after fighting with her boyfriend.
A few days later, the two meet again in a church at Adi’s close buddy Jenny’s wedding where they hit it off instantly.In no time, they become more than just friends or 'Jaanu' (beloved).
Adi follows Tara on her work assignment to Ahmedabad where the two spend quality time together.
After Tara returns from Ahmedabad, they decide to carry on in a live in relationship.
Tara shifts to Adi’s rented room at retired High Court Justice G Shrivastava’s (Naseeruddin Shah) house.His wife Charu (Leela samson) is a renowned classical singer and Alzheimer’s patient who often leaves the house on her own and loses her way.
Very soon, the aged couple grows fond of the youngsters.Charu’s bonding with is extremely caring husband, whom she fondly calls Poplu, inspire the young lovebirds.Though, they have a very strong no strings attached relationship, they end up behaving like every other couple, who get worried when they can’t find each other, fight in a posh restaurant and click selfies when they are happy.
After spending six months together in a relationship which seems like a dream, the time comes for them to separate.Adi creates a video game called Mumbai 2.0, for which he has to move to Los Angeles and Tara gets admission to study architecture in Paris.Extremely upset for having to leave each other, the lovebirds decide to enjoy the last 10 days of being together! The rest of the film deals with the turn that their relationship takes in these 10 days.
Though the story - a couple with a 'no strings attached 'relationship' eventually falling in love - is predictable, what sets 'Ok Jaanu' apart is the fact that the director has managed to etch each character perfectly, with each of them playing their role perfectly in the progression of the film.
As a director, Shaad Ali has managed to do a perfect casting.
Aditya and Shraddha look very much 'deeply in love' couple trying to make the most of every moment they spend together before they are forced to go their separate ways in pursuit of their ambitions.Also Naseeruddin Shah and Leela Samson are apt as the 'madly in love ' elderly couple who inspire the young couple Adi and Tara.
Though the pace of the film slackens somewhat in the second half, the director leaves the audience gushing with the build up of the romance between Aid and Tara.Both Aditya Roy kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor manage to impress with their natural on screen acting.
After 'Aashiqui 2', their rocking chemistry is again on show in the film.
In fact, they seem very much the 'made-for each other' couple.A surprise of the film is Naseeruddin Shah, who gives an excellent performance as retired High Court Justice G Shrivastava, who is madly in love with his wife Chatu.Leela Samson has also come up with a impressive act as Chatu.The music by mastro A R Rahman is a highlight of the film with popular tracks like 'Ok Jaanu', 'Kara Fankara' and the 'Humma' song which add to the romantic feel.The music reminds one of films like 'Bombay ', 'Saathiya and 'Guru'.
In a nutshell, 'Ok Jaanu' is a highly entertaining feel good romance that will make you want to fall in love.It is a must watch film for all 'madly-in-love ' couples.Rating: 4/5: one for Shaad Ali 's direction, one for the natural act by Aditya and Shraddha, one for their rocking chemistry and one for A R Rahman 's music. (UNI)