Movie Review : Love Breakups Zindagi

Love and breakups have become a common component of urban zindagi. As much as predictability has become a part of most romantic comedies. This zillionth Bollywood spinoff on the second half of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is no different! 

Jai (Zayed Khan) and Naina (Dia Mirza) are in their individual mismatched relationships. Until they meet in a common friend's wedding. Amidst song-dance routine, cupid strikes Jai by the interval point. Naina is uncertain until her doting mother advices 'wahi karo jo tumhara dil kehta hai' (how pioneering and profound!) Alas she takes a little too long to decide while the viewer has already reached to the conformist conclusion.

Till date, Bollywood has devised only two alternatives for the climax of a film like this. In the feel good format, the other man willingly decides to let go his ladylove for the main hero (like Salman Khan did in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai). The other option is when this other man acts difficult (Jimmy Sheirgill in Tanu Weds Manu). This film belongs to the former feel-good variety.

While the film could have brought some variety with its other assorted couples, the problem with the writing is that all the supporting tracks are half-baked. Jai's friend (Cryus Sahukar) falls for a 'Sheila' (Tisca Chopra) who isn't exactly 'jawaan'. While this odd-aged couple has its moments of charm and comedy, their bonding could certainly have been explored in a better way. The girl from Dairy Milk ad (Umang Jain) has graduated to having ice-creams here after her multiple break-offs, but her sweet revenge spree was far from funny.

The film does have a lighthearted mood throughout but one does feel that its sense of humour, though not bad, could have been more fine-tuned and sharp. While this brand of comedy is anytime better than a senseless slapstick, there is a feeling that the film could have been funnier. At the same time while the director tries to keep things subtle and avoid melodrama, some situations lack the basic intensity that the drama demands. Like Jai's breakup with his first girlfriend (Pallavi Sharda) comes across so
casually that it seems as if nothing has happened. The pacing is slow and the length is a little too long for a predictable film.

Zayed Khan and Dia Mirza share good chemistry and are decent in their acts. Dia has a natural charm. Cyrus Sahukar underplays his character and is the butt of most jokes. Tisca Chopra looks delightful despite playing a (slightly) elderly female. Umang Jain is cute but has a short-lived character. Vaibhav Talwar plays in a limited range but pulls off his part. Satyadeep Mishra is good. Pallavi Sharda and Auritra Ghosh get no scope. From all the special appearances, Boman Irani is hilarious and leaves more impact that Shah Rukh Khan who doesn't do much beyond playing himself and endorsing furniture brand.

Director Sahil Singha doesn't show any innovation in the storytelling of his debut venture but he still has the command to bring a smile on your face, thanks to the breezy romance and the film's optimistic outlook. While being conventional cinema, it isn't essentially exasperatingly cliched.

Neither utterly lovely nor breakthrough! Love Breakups Zindagi is that variety of predictable cinema that is passable.

Light, enjoyable tracks in ''Love Breakups Zindagi'' (IANS Music Review)

Film: 'Love Breakups Zindagi';

Music Directors: Salim and Sulaiman Merchant;

Lyricist: Javed Akhtar; 

Singers: Salim Merchant, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Shradha Pandit, Shafqat Amanat Ali and Shruti Pathak;

Rating: ***1/2 

The music of 'Love Breakups Zindagi' is a testimony of its theme and feel and hence comprises songs revolving around the three words, love, break-up and zindagi (life). Salim-Sulaiman's compositions don't surprise anyone, but neither do they disappoint. 

The album has four originals and one remix track. 

The first song of the album 'Rozanna', enthusiastically crooned by Salim Merchant, is characterised by a pleasing acoustic beginning. An instantly likeable, candy floss and positive song, 'Rozanna' is moderately paced and gets you hooked, especially with the high octane used to sing the word 'Rozanna'. That is the highlight of the track. 

A good start to the album. 

It also has a remixed version mixed by DJ A-Myth. 

The next one is a song that brings together talented singers like Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Shradha Pandit and Salim himself. Called 'Rab rakha', the song has a slight Sufi touch, which is a part of Salim-Sulaiman's inherent style of composition. A hummable track that you would like to hear in loop. However, the only dampener is the few English words incorporated in the song. They seem quite unwanted. 

Next, romance flaps its wings with 'Love love love' that has Benny Dayal and Shradha Pandit behind the mike. A song with a strong pop feel, 'Love love love' has a slight similarity to American singer Jason Mraz' 'I'm yours'. But that doesn't take away the interest from this track-it has its own individuality as well. It's peppy and lively, spreading a youthful flavour. 

Finally, the album takes a grim turn with Shafqat Amanat Ali, Salim and Shruti Pathak singing 'Chhayee hai tanhayee'. A poignant number that creates a pensive mood, the song has a Sufi flavour and is worth a hear.

On the whole, Salim-Sulaiman have brought to the table a light, entertaining and free-flowing score-a reason good enough to buy the album. 

(Ruchika Kher can be contacted at ruchika.k@ians.in)

No more 'Welcome To The Jungle' for Hrithik & Zayed

Hrithik Roshan starrer Welcome To The Jungle has been shelved. Announced close to a couple of years back, the film was supposed to feature Hrithik in the role of a wildlife explorer. However the film is now no more happening and the reason cited for that is change in market dynamics over a period of time which has impacted the feasibility of bringing it on floors.

"The film was special as it was a family reunion of sorts for Hrithik as well as Zayed Khan and Sanjay Khan (as the producer)", informs a source attached to the film, "Even though Hrithik hadn't signed on the dotted line, his personal relationship with Khans meant that there was no doubt around him featuring in the film."

In fact there was quite some noise made in 2009 around the film and Zayed was also supposed to act alongside Hrithik in this adventure tale. Also, Hrithik was taking personal interest in shaping his body differently for the film since due to its jungle setting; he was supposed to be seen mainly in shorts instead of designer clothes.

However, as things stand today, everyone connected with the project has moved on and picked up different assignments. Faruk Kabir, who was supposed to direct the film, made his debut with critically acclaimed Allah Ke Banday last year and is already working on another script. On the other hand, Zayed and Sanjay are working on an altogether different sports based subject. As for Hrithik, he is busy with his Agneepath remake.

"That's right, we have kept Welcome To The Jungle on a backburner", confirms Zayed, "It was a very big budgeted film and we had announced it in the time when 100 crores budget was a norm for any film. Guess what, sometimes even this sum looked small (chuckles). Today when the market is barely managing to revive itself, it made sense to keep things on hold for a whole before proceeding with such a budget."

Glad to see someone being honest out there!

Where was Zayed Khan missing?Where was Zayed Khan missing?

When we met Zayed Khan at an event in Delhi recently, we asked him why he's come to Delhi after so long a while. Last time, he was shooting for a movie with Anupam Kher in the vicinity of Mehrauli, and since then, he hasn't been here.

In response, he laughed and said, "Ho sakta hai I've come here quietly in between and gone back and you all didn't know about it at all." Well, ho sakta hai, Zayed. That's why we were asking you... so that you can tell us all!

Zayed Khan's a dad for the second time

It can be revealed now. Zayed and Malaika Khan are expecting their second child, come August. They already have a son named Zidane.



ZK confirms, "I am happy to be a father again because it feels very homely and I am very family-oriented. It's been a wonderful journey of discovery with my son who sometimes acts more like he's my father than he is my son (laughs)."

Is he expecting a daughter, this time around? "I am looking forward to any kid. It's another journey."

Film production
Professionally, Zayed delivers another 'baby' in August. He will launch the first production from his, Dia Mirza's and Sahil Singha's banner Born Free Entertainment.

The film will be a romantic comedy called Love Break Up And Zindagi starring ZK and Dia.

"It's been a great shoot," he notes, adding, "I've worked with sincere people. The title was mine and the germ of the story was Dia's while Sahil is directing the film."

The actor adds, "We will launch a website called bornfreeentertainment.com in two weeks. It will share our behind-the-scene experiences as producers for people who want to be producers."

Zayed and Faruk all set for a sports based film

Zayed Khan may have dropped plans to make his much talked about WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE with Hrithik Roshan. However he would now be making an altogether different film which has a contemporary setting to it and, in his own words, is a 'coming of age' story. The film would have sports as its theme and would go on floors later this year.

"This film would be a whole new ballgame for us. No pun intended", chuckles Zayed who is currently making another film for his production house - LOVE, BREAKUPS, ZINDAGI, "It would be a sports based film and something which would be totally new. It is wonderful to interact with my dad on this film because despite the generation gap, he is so clued into today's times. He knows what we are talking about and in fact gives suggestions to make the film even more progressive."

FARUK KABIR and ZAYED KHAN

The film would also mark the return of Sanjay Khan as a producer after a quarter of a century. His last production was KALA DHANDHA GOREY LOG which had released way back in 1986. Faruk Kabir (of ALLAH KE BANDAY fame) would be at the helm of direction.

"Faruk being from the same age group as mine is pretty refreshing actually since his thinking his so out of the box," gushes Zayed, "I like his vision around presenting stories differently. Look at ALLAH KE BANDAY; he refrained from treating it as just another gangster film since that genre has been done to death. Faruk is someone fresh, new and hungry for his work to be seen. He has got it in him to do the job right."

While Zayed is not willing to reveal the title of the film yet, he does mention that a formal announcement would be made soon that would reveal the rest of the cast including the leading ladies. "Rest assured, this is one sports based story that you have never heard before", he says.

Considering the fact that LAGAAN and CHAK DE INDIA have set huge standards for sports based films, Zayed indeed has some huge benchmarks to be met here.

Zayed Khan photo