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Complete review of ‘Ok Jaanu’
Cast: Aditya Roy Kapur, Shraddha Kapoor, Leela Samson
Director: Shaad Ali Sahgal
Producer: Mani Ratnam, Karan Johar
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Rating: 2.5/5
Shaad Ali is back with another coming of age romance, “Ok Jaanu”, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor. The remake of Mani Ratnam’s successful Tamil romantic drama “O Kadhal Kanmani” is about young love, live-in relationships and progressive thinking.
Story of the Movie:
Adi (Aditya Roy Kapur) is a young game designer from Lucknow who dreams of emigrating to the US and living the American dream. At a chance encounter during his friend’s wedding, he meets Tara (Shraddha Kapoor). She is a recent architecture school graduate working in an architecture firm. She dreams of going to Paris to pursue higher education.
Adi and Tara at the beginning decide that marriage isn’t meant for him and opt for a live-in relationship instead. How they convince an elderly couple (Naseeruddin Shah and Leela Samson) to accept this modern concept and let them live in their home and how the former get influenced by the latter’s love forms the second half of the movie. Do Tara and Adi pick their careers over love? Well, you’ll have to watch the film to find out.
Direction of the film:
Shaad Ali proves that he loves Mani Ratnam and literally recreates frame-by-frame of the original (OK Kanmani) but the story could have been done better. The film’s first half is predictable. “OK Janu’s story could not dam the audience.
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Star Performance:
Shraddha and Aditya bring to life the chemistry that we adored in Aashiqui, so that definitely works in favour of “OK Jaanu“. Shraddha and Aditya’s natural chemistry helps with the young, sweet romance in the film. Aditya and Shraddha fare well as actors in this one. Aditya’s good looks and charming smile keep you bind while Shraddha as the happy-go-lucky girl does a good job.
Naseerudin Shah aces it, though: he underplays beautifully, and speaks his lines as they ought to be spoken, with an ache in the voice.
Leela Samson, who plays a character afflicted with a degenerative illness, reprises her part: she remains as gorgeous but less effective in Hindi.
Music of the film:
The music (largely retained) with Gulzar’s new lyrics also does a throwback to “OK Kanmani” in the best way possible. As for the music by A.R. Rahman, the upbeat remix of the iconic Humma and Kaara Fankaara, and the lilting Saajan Aayo Re and Enna Sona are redeeming to some extent.
What’s good:
The film is a refreshing take on contemporary romance and relationship with the lead pair in a live-in relationship. It is in fact an easy breezy romance that makes for a good watch. It’s a regular girl meets boy story and how their initial attraction transforms to some strong feelings for each other.
What’s bad:
While Shraddha and Aditya both fare decently through the first half, the emotional scenes are a major let down. There’s very little scope for an actor to NOT perform in this film, and the climax is where the real test lies. Unfortunately both Shraddha and Aditya fail to make you feel for their characters when it is most needed.
Final Verdict:
“Aashiqui” fans should watch for the leads. If you are a sucker for romantic films or then easy movies then you wouldn’t mind spending your two hours and fifteen minutes in the theatre for this one.
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