Jaane Tu... and the New Khan on the Block

So after much efforts I did manage to see Amir Khan productions' much awaited 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na'. I expected it to be a good film and sure it was. One of the main reason for its success is the talented scriptwriter Abbas Tyrewala who both wrote and directed the movie. It could have been the usual affair had it not been the the script and some fine performances.

The movie looks fresh with some new faces. I liked the idea of the flash backs as part of a long friendly chat. Nothing goes overboard in the movie, not even the characters with gray shades. In fact Ayaz Khan as Sushant Modi (Genelia's fiance in the movie) looks cool and does an impressive act. So does Genelia Dsouza as Aditi. Although I wonder if she is really a star material. Naseeruddin Shah shows his class even though he was limited to a picture frame. The chemistry between the main characters strikes you. Ratna Pathak as Imran's mother is in familiar territory. It's a pity that Bollywood could never tap her acting potential as much as the television did.

Music by Rehman gives that extra pep. I loved the Rashid Ali rendered "Kabhi Kabhi Aditi" and "Kahin to Hogi woh duniya." Like most Rehman songs these two also grow on you gradually. The musician has a knack for discovering young talent. First Naresh Iyer, brought through Channel V's 'Super Singer' reality show, mesmerised the nation with his "Roobaroo", and now Rashid Ali. Watch out for this kid!

And finally the new Khan! Imran Khan has surely arrived. There's a certain vulnerability about him which adds to his character in the movie. He gives an effortless yet strong performance, which reminds me of his illustrious uncle in QSQT. His expressive eyes communicates a lot more. Imran Khan may not raise the noise levels in theatres like what a Shahrukh or Salman Khan did more than a decade back, but, he has made his mark on Bollywood.

The only weak link was the climax and the character of Aditi's brother, played rather well by Smita Patil's son Prateik Babbar. I felt he could have been given some more screen space instead of the cameos by Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan.

Overall a nice fun movie which is fortunately not your run-of-the-mill kind of college romance. Go for it just for old times sake!