Love Aaj Kal movie review

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor, Gisselle, Rahul Khanna, Florence Brudenell-Bruce
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Producer: Saif Ali Khan & Dinesh Vijan
Music: Pritam
Rating: ***1/2
 
There is a point shortly after the interval of Love Aaj Kal where you may feel the film might end up in a wedding scene when a wedding is stalled to reunite the parted lovers. Remember films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein? Thankfully Love Aaj Kal takes us beyond those situations. This actually ends up as an alternative and happier ending for Devdas with a more independent and intelligent Paro!
 
The strongest point of Love Aaj Kal is the extremely novel screenplay and narrative. It has very contemporary dialogues which work wonderfully for the situations and the characters. This film delivers high on quality of entertainment – enough to make you love it, or probably go for it all over again!  

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The story is about a couple who is practical enough to break up as life takes them in different directions. Imtiaz Ali cleverly takes us through the entire pre-break up period of one year in five minutes flat, and lets the actual story unfold from there on. The story is about the couple realising that going away from each other does not mean they can get over each other. The longing grows as they stay away. The emotions have been worked out really well through some very well-sketched scenes, including a couple of songs.
 
On the technical front, Love Aaj Kal looks very clean and bright. It has been shot and edited very well and everyone in these departments deserves kudos. However, the editing and screenplay may get a little complex at times for the ‘aam junta’ or the ‘mango people’ as Saif’s character puts it in the film. There are times when the future is revealed in a scene and you wonder what would exactly happen! But things are explained well in the subsequent scenes. The background music is used cleverly while songs have already become quite popular. Set designs and costumes also deserve a mention.  
 
Saif Ali Khan comes up with a cool performance which is reminiscent of Hum Tum. He plays the confused guy to the hilt. Also his performance as the young Sardar of 1965 hits the bull’s eye. But Deepika Padukone is the real surprise. After forgettable performances in Bachna Ae Haseeno, I would have personally written her off. But Imtiaz Ali seems to have worked wonders with Deepika, like he did with Ayesha Takia in Socha Na Tha and Kareena Kapoor in Jab We Met. Rishi Kapoor is in top form as ever. New girl Gisselle is good as the coy Harleen Kaur.
 
Overall, I am so glad that after a long time I can recommend a film without thinking twice. We have gone through some bad times of late with tragedies like Kambakkht Ishq, Luck and Short Kut. And before these, films like Chandni Chowk to China and Delhi 6 had already made me wary of expectations. Love Aaj Kal is not another Jab We Met and it does not look like another cult film from Imtiaz Ali. But that does not make it any lesser. Love Aaj Kal is far more real life and is very relatable. Watch it.