Jab Tak Hai Jaan
DIRECTOR: Yash Chopra
CAST: Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma, Anupam Kher, Archana Puran Singh, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh
CLASSIFICATION: TBA
RUNNING TIME: TBA
RATING: ****
AFTER a wait of eight years, the late master storyteller and admired director in Bollywood, Yash Chopra, returns with his new motion picture. Regrettably, Jab Tak Hai Jaan happens to be the last film of one of the greatest raconteurs of our time, following his untimely death last month.
Chopra is synonymous with love and romance and also spellbinding drama and heartrending emotions. His films are also know for harmonious music, exquisite poetry, snow-capped mountains and mustard fields and so much more.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan encompasses everything one has come to expect from a Yash Chopra movie. For the hardcore romantics, this one’s a treat. But those who don’t swear by love stories, I am certain, will be able to connect with this film, since the twists are sure to allure those yearning for something distinctive.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan is a poignant voyage of three characters. Thankfully, not once does the script permit superfluous or redundant characters or sub-plots. Every episode transpires for a persuasive reason. Besides, the drama is absolutely intriguing, with an undercurrent of emotion running through the film, thereby adding intensity to this passionate love story. This is not your typical love story. It has old-world charm written all over it, with twists and turns plenty.
It would be a disservice to reveal the journey of the three characters, since the plot changes from conventional to unconventional in its second hour. Jab Tak Hai Jaan is attention-grabbing from inception to conclusion. The drama only soars higher and the complex love story gets more gripping as the conflict between the trio come to the fore. Mind you, Jab Tak Hai Jaan is not the usual “love triangle”, with two women fighting for the same guy. Nor can you compare it to any Yash’s films of yore either.
Chopra’s brilliance echoes throughout the film. The poignant moments keep you on the periphery, while the culmination to the narrative may meet with extreme reactions. However, the conclusion is most befitting for a film that doesn’t take the beaten-to-death path. The only hiccup is that it is too slow-paced at times. Also, the screenplay could’ve been tighter at places. A few sequences in the post-interval portions could’ve been spruced up for a stronger impact.
The cinematography is surreal, grandiose and simply overwhelming. The vibrant frames add to the magnificence of this spectacular looking film. The costume designers came up with a wardrobe that brims with stunning outfits.
Films such as Jab Tak Hai Jaan are generally embellished with seasoned actors. In addition, assembling such accomplished names is a rarity and there’s a strong possibility that one may not see them share screen space again. One can’t imagine anyone else but Shah Rukh Khan in the role of Samar, an individual with emotional baggage. Although Khan has been an integral part of several romantic movies, he acts resplendently well in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, brushing off any condemnation that he may have encountered for replicating himself in movies of parallel genre. The role gives him abundant opportunity to exhibit his talent and he transforms himself into the complex character with dexterity.
Katrina is the classic Yash Chopra heroine, an enigmatic beauty, and a seductress. She looks ethereal and enacts her part with elegance and restraint.
In view of the fact that a major portion of the story focuses on SRK and Katrina, one might assume that Anushka’s role is more of a supporting one, but that’s fallacious. She’s an integral part of this story and walks away with some of the best scenes and lines in the movie.
On the whole, Jab Tak Hai Jaan resonates an oft-repeated fact: love stories will come and go. But no one will make them like Yash Chopra. Just don’t miss this heart-warming love story! – bollywoodhungama.com