Jab Tak Hai Jaan

                    

 

 The Grand Finale!

 

 Considering the amount of buzz this name created, Jab Tak Hai Jaan needs no introduction. This Grand Finale of late Mr Yash Chopra’s series of romantic films has certainly made history owing to the unfortunate death of its director a month prior to the film’s release. Watching the film is inevitable to almost every Indian who has been following Indian cinema for the past forty years or so, that is since Mr Chopra made his first film. Now whether he has really got it Bang On! this time is a question, but even if he hasn’t, the film’s success is apparent.

                Jab tak hai jaan, is a story of Samar (Shar Rukh Khan) in his twenties who just about manages his bread butter at London. He befriends Meera Thapar(Katrina Kaif) a rich father’s beloved daughter, and soon falls for her. Then, Samar in his late thirties is an Indian army officer in Kashmir where he meets Akhira (Anushka Sharma), a young, perky intern working for Discovery. The story unfolds by connecting the two timelines and the two women of Samar’s life. Now unlike most of Chopra’s films, the hero doesn’t take any time to convey his feeling to the girl. His films have been maturing and growing with time. Yash Chopra in his 80s recognizes the subtle changes in the life style and culture and incorporates them well in the film especially to appeal to the youth. Chopra’s previous films had characters relating their times and he does it this time too. This is the biggest strength of Yash Chopra as a director. Who would have thought of seeing characters casually smoking, abusing, kissing and having sex in a Yash Chopra film? Sorry to spill the beans, but I had to appreciate this change in his style of cinema.

                Now what this film lacks is the script. Chopra’s previous films have not necessarily been realistic, but the characters’ behaviour had been acceptable. Characters in Jab tak hai Jaan often seems to do things very synthetically without any logic. It soon turns into a story manipulated rather than a story logically etched. It uses a lot of clichés for instance road accidents at a very particular instant. Now, the 1980s audience might have accepted it, but with so much maturity coming in Indian cinema today, Jab tak Hai jaan lacks conviction in its basic script.

 

 

 

                JTHJ has been extensively shot in United Kingdom and Jammu Kashmir. Cinematographer Anil Mehta particularly does a mind blowing job with the beautiful locales of both the places. UK and London in particular has been captured best to its potential and become highlights of the film. Screenplay falters and drags the already weak script. Scenes are unnecessarily elaborated adding to the running time and soon you see the audience losing patience. The film certainly has scope to edit down a lot of matter that does nothing but increase the length of the film. Screenplay is not totally linear, yet it fails to keep any suspense from the audience. Having said that, the film does provide some really charming moments, elaborated dance numbers and decent performances.

                Jab tak hai Jaan heavily borrows from all previous Chopra films, Veer-Zara in particular. Screenplay being similar to Veer-Zara’s, it almost feels like the script writer made a modern day Veer-Zara trying his hardest to hide that from the audience.

                Lyrics, monologues and poems by Gulzar are impressive and add to the romantic appeal. AR Rahman can never be a disappointment, but he surely doesn’t give his best here. The music is functional, considering Rahman’s standards. Wonder when we will get a Lagaan or a Dil se level work from him again. Choreography is apt, especially the song Ishq Shava is really well choreographed.

                Shah Rukh Khan as Samar gets to play two opposite poles of Samar’s personality. He certainly looks younger than he is, but a guy in 20s?? Man, not totally convincing. But he nails the other part as an introverted insufferable army officer. He easily is one of the most charming army officers we have seen onscreen. Katrina tries her hardest but suffers due to a badly written role. Anushka Sharma is easily the best part of the film. Her perky character, one liners and charm are the comic relief of the film. But is she getting type cast as the bubbly perky girl? We will have to wait and see.

                 

As a mark of respect for late Mr Yash Chopra and his series of romantic films, I leave Jab Tak Hai Jaan unrated. Yash Chopra is one personality who can make his films successful even posthumously. I needn’t ask you to watch it, you will watch it anyway, for Yash Chopra!     

 

Trailer: