Yuvvraaj, like most musicals has no particular story to boast of. But unlike
them, it doesn't even seem to have the music to support it. While AR Rahman
does deliver a few songs that are pleasing to the ears the others, which could
have been salvaged with good picturisation, have been botched terribly.
Take for instance the first song – Tu Meri Dost Hai – where the special effects
are so bad, you'd want to sack the people who did it. Ditto for that number
Mastam Mastam, which comes just before the interval. Though you are spared of
the special effects, the horrendous picturisation kills it.
More so, not many of these songs take the story forward neither do they provide
any insight into the characters' pathos or ecstasy as the case may be. Indeed,
musicals can be fun – Mama Mia was a thoroughly enjoyable experience – but
somehow the music in this film doesn't get the treatment it deserves. And it's
not about the music or the lyrics. Why, Gulzar's lyrics and Vishal Bhardwaj's
music was weaved in so beautifully in Omkara, it makes you want to call it a
musical in the truest sense!
-----------------------------------------------
Approximately three seconds before the much-needed 'Intermission' flashes on
the screen during Yuvvraaj, an intoxicated Zayed Khan tells Salman over the
phone, "It's over!" And that's when a voice from deep inside me cried, "I wish!"
But length and slack pace of the film is not the only problem with this week's
Hindi film release, Yuvvraaj. It tells the story of three brothers separated
partly because of the circumstances and partly because of their father's blind
love for his autistic son Gyanesh (Anil Kapoor).
The middle son Deven (Salman Khan) walks out of the house and the youngest of
the three, Danny (Zayed Khan) ends up being a spoilt rich brat. Their father
dies and writes off all the wealth to Gyanesh leaving the other two in a lurch.
His attorney friend Sikandar Mirza (Mithun Chakraborty) ensures all the loose
ends are tied and Gyanesh's life is safe.
For their own reasons Deven and Danny team up and decide to steal Gyanesh of
what he truly deserves. Danny of course needs the money to maintain his lavish
lifestyle. However Deven's requirement is slightly skewed. Before entering his
father's house, he has gone ahead and gallantly signed a contract with his
girlfriend's (Katrina Kaif) father Dr PK Banton (Boman Irani) promising him to
become a billionaire in the next 40 days.
The rest of the film basically deals with how Deven, Danny and Gyanesh realise
the bonds of filial love.
Yuvvraaj, like most musicals has no particular story to boast of. But unlike
them, it doesn't even seem to have the music to support it. While AR Rahman
does deliver a few songs that are pleasing to the ears the others, which could
have been salvaged with good picturisation, have been botched terribly.
Take for instance the first song – Tu Meri Dost Hai – where the special effects
are so bad, you'd want to sack the people who did it. Ditto for that number
Mastam Mastam, which comes just before the interval. Though you are spared of
the special effects, the horrendous picturisation kills it.
MUSIC REVIEW: Join Rahman on his grand journey called Yuvvraaj
More so, not many of these songs take the story forward neither do they provide
any insight into the characters' pathos or ecstasy as the case may be. Indeed,
musicals can be fun – Mama Mia was a thoroughly enjoyable experience – but
somehow the music in this film doesn't get the treatment it deserves. And it's
not about the music or the lyrics. Why, Gulzar's lyrics and Vishal Bhardwaj's
music was weaved in so beautifully in Omkara, it makes you want to call it a
musical in the truest sense!
Even if you do forgive this one aspect, there is little else in other
departments that salvage it. The characters are so plastic there more shades in
the saas and bahus on television. And that is yet another problem with this
movie. Ridden with clichés and stereotypes, it's like paying to watch the
television serial you can switch off at your will. Sample this: when the
prodigal son Salman Khan returns home, his spaghetti-strap-clad sister-in-law
says something to the effect of, "Jo itne saal ke baad lauta hai woh Yuvvraaj
nahin Yamraaj hai!" (Translate that one by yourself.)
And just how the hell all the firang characters in the film manage to speak
such chaste Hindi and English with a strong Indian touch is something we are
yet to figure out.
While no one's performances are worth writing about Anil Kapoor manages to hold
his own playing the autistic son. Sulbha Arya (Kantaben of Kal Ho Naa Ho)
mouths some bizarre dialogues about god-knows-what. Anjan Srivastava who plays
the maternal uncle is also totally wasted.
The most annoying role of them all however has been given to Boman Irani. He
plays the rich doctor father of Katrina Kaif and does his job sincerely but
comes across as more of a fool than a concerned dad.
Salman does an average job, Zayed a below average one and Katrina does little
else other than looking pretty as a daisy trying her best not to miss her lip
synch while dubbing and fails. That in fact holds true for almost all the
actors including Boman. The less said about the editing (Ghai) the better.
With sets designed by Omung Kumar (Saawariya) and the end credits shot in Om
Shanti Om style, Yuvvraaj is neither a visual treat nor an entertainer.
Verdict: If you haven't yet got the drift, here goes: Yuvvraaj is like a
saas-bahu saga that you can't even switch off even though you've paid through
your nose for it.
Rating: 1.5/5
------------------------------------
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