" Rahman's music acts as a soothing balm, but the problem is, it takes time to
grow on the listener. And that could be a deterrent. "
--------------------------------
Every step you take, every move you make... we'll be watchin' you. Have altered
the lines of a famous song. For, this one's applicable for Subhash Ghai, a
proficient storyteller, one of the most successful stories from this side of
the Atlantic. Irrespective of how his films are received at the ticket window,
Ghai's movies are always under scrutiny. You watch every film with a magnifying
glass.
YUVVRAAJ is no exception!
Write your own movie review of Yuvvraaj
Ghai's forte has been drama. Recall the dramatic moments in KARZ, VIDHAATA,
MERI JUNG, RAM LAKHAN, KARMA, SAUDAGAR. He re-visits the genre with YUVVRAAJ.
Besides, YUVVRAAJ is his most opulent work thus far. It has a sweeping effect,
the film makes a stunning visual statement.
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Honestly, YUVVRAAJ isn't Ghai's best work, but post YAADEIN, KISNA and BLACK &
WHITE, YUVVRAAJ salvages him, even redeems the storyteller.
The story [Ghai] mirrors a universal truth. Greed leads to disputes and in
turn, ruins all relationships. A fact you've heard or witnessed time and again
in real life. While the story is captivating, the screenplay doesn't really do
justice to the thought. Also, Rahman's music acts as a soothing balm, but the
problem is, it takes time to grow on the listener. And that could be a
deterrent.
Yet, in all fairness, YUVVRAAJ is a notch above the commonplace. If you intend
spending your hard-earned money on it or devoting 3 hours of your precious time
on Ghai's new outing, chances are you won't regret it.
Deven Yuvvraaj [Salman Khan] is a chorus singer, in love with Anushka [Katrina
Kaif]. Her father Dr. Banton [Boman Irani], however, is dead against this
relationship. Things take a turn when Deven's father passes away and he returns
to London to stake claim on his father's wealth.
He meets his two estranged brothers Gyanesh Yuvvraaj [Anil Kapoor] and Danny
Yuvvraaj [Zayed Khan] after almost twelve years. But things aren't hunky-dory
between them...
Ghai has an eye for visuals and every frame of YUVVRAAJ seems like a painting
on celluloid. Unmistakably, that's the first thing you notice as YUVVRAAJ
unfolds.
It takes time to absorb YUVVRAAJ. In fact, Ghai doesn't open all his cards at
the very outset. It's only when the father [Javed Shaikh] passes away and
Mithun Chakraborty, the Executor of the Will, enters the scene that the wheels
start moving.
The film gathers momentum after the interval. If the first hour has a few
by-now-famous Ghai scenes, the second hour sees Ghai in form, with a number of
sequences staying in your memory. The penultimate 20-25 minutes are the best.
Watch Anil go through the handycam with disbelief, watch Anil and Salman's act
during the concert, watch Salman's emotional outburst towards the end... also
the titles [brings back memories of OM SHANTI OM].
On the flip side, the screenplay is erratic. There're constant highs and lows
in this journey, the film works in patches. In fact, the screenplay falls prey
to predictability and mediocrity at places.
Ghai handles the dramatic scenes with flourish. Rahman's music is soothing, but
you expect more because Ghai's movies are embellished with lilting music that
you recall even after 2 or 3 decades. Kabir Lal captures the striking beauty of
Europe well. The output is superb. The sets [Omung Kumar] are truly majestic.
YUVVRAAJ belongs to Anil Kapoor, who towers above the entire cast and delivers
a natural, believable performance. Salman's looks are inconsistent. At times
the boyish look is intact, at times he looks bloated. Ditto for his hairstyle.
His performance, however, is better, mainly towards the finale. Zayed tries
hard and convinces in a few scenes. Mithun Chakraborty is fantastic in a brief
role.
Katrina looks angelic. Despite the focus being on the three men, she registers
an impact. Boman Irani is credible, especially in the scene when he steps out
of the Operation Theatre towards the end. Aushima Sawhney is confident. Anjan
Srivastava and the pack of villains/vamps look straight out of RAM LAKHAN and
TAAL.
On the whole, YUVVRAAJ is interesting in parts, with the penultimate 20/25
minutes taking the film to an all-time high. At the box-office, the package [a
mammoth cast, Subhash Ghai, A.R. Rahman, the stunning locales of Europe] should
ensure a hearty opening and with no major opposition in the forthcoming week,
it should keep its investors smiling.
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