Zindagi na milegi dobara (2011)

Dir: Zoya akhtar

Zindagi na milegi dobara succeeds where Luck by chance (Zoya akhtar’s directorial debut) couldn’t score. Despite being technically excellent, luck by chance lacked the plot which could adhere to the Indian audiences, but ZNMD is no such film. It is technically excellent and so simple a plot which could keep you enchanted and sit through all the two hours gaping at the picture perfect extravaganza. The story is about three childhood friends reunion over Kabir’s (abhay deol) bachelor party. Within this bachelor trip they take on three adventure sports which ends up a life changing experience.

Nothing so out of the box, but the treatment to its subject is certainly something exciting.

The main plot is beautifully embedded with sub plots like the undercurrents playing b/w Hrithik and Farhan’s characters or the disturbed past of Imran (Farhan akhtar).

The scenic beauty is well captured making Spain as much as a character as all the actors.

ZNMD does to Spain what DCH did to Goa. Aerial and underwater sequences are so well shot that you are left mesmerized and wanting for more. SEL’s music is with the theme and they score a perfect symphony.

As per the ACTING, Farhan akhtar dazzles with his comic timing and lives out the character, Hrithik is again flawless and Abhay deol plays it just apt. The girls don’t have much to do, but Katrina certainly shows some acting DNA in evolution.

The CINEMATOGRAPHY is just brilliant. Watching a road trip was never so soothing and the way he has captured the fields the flowers and the beautiful spain is just mind blowing. The skydiving sequence is so well shot that you seldom doubt if they ued the chroma screen or not. Highly recommended for sheer genius behind the camera.

EDITING is just perfect, the film runs a little above 2 hrs and the pace is never settled for the plot. Also the song sequences also are well placed, but just one title track not appealing to me being placed in the opening credits.

Zoya akhtar promises to be a DIRECTOR to watch out for, she knows the commercial Indian audience and also respects the masters when it comes to film making. She choses a perfect cast, a perfect location and a perfect medium, a road trip, to take us through three lives.

I just loved the film and wont treat is below par to any technically superior film.

I suggest ZNMD is worth 8/10.