'Fitoor' review: Despite Katrina and Aditya's great performances, story isn't romantically compelling

Movie: Fitoor
​Rating: **1/2
Directed by: Abhishek Kapoor
Starring: Katrina Kaif, Aditya Roy Kapur, Tabu, Lara Dutta, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Rahul Bhatt
 
What's it about: Based on Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, Fitoor is the story of a poor orphan Noor's (Aditya Roy Kapur) love/obsession for rich girl Firdaus (Katrina Kaif) from the moment he sets eyes on her. Her adoptive mother Begum Hazrat (Tabu) invites him to do a menial job in the stables and before long the haughty Firdaus accepts the lad with torn shoes as her friend. Soon after, he misses her birthday party due to a tragedy in his personal life, to find her gone from his life. Begum packs her off to London to study. Life goes on for the heartbroken lad, till an unnamed benefactor lands at his doorstep with an opportunity to display his art in Delhi. Noor meets Firdaus in the capital after over a decade. He hasn't gotten over her, and that doesn't change even after she tells him she is engaged. She won't repeat the mistake Begum did, and marry for love. She has been trained to marry for money. He finds fame but when Firdaus discovers she has feelings for him, she runs away yet again. He goes back home heartbroken. But he gets a second shot to make it as an artist in London, only to find she is getting married there. They both realise all too late that they are pawns in the hands of Begum. Fitoor is about love that destroys, heartbreak that refuses to heal and revenge that is blind to reason.  
 
What's good: Adapting classic English literature into a Bollywood film is not an easy prospect. However, for the large part, director Abhishek Kapoor manages to hold on to the essence of the epic novel. It works even if you are not familiar with the story. But there is enough in the film for even those who are and don't have the element of surprise to look forward to, he has successfully adapted the story set in the 18th century to make it contemporary and relevant to the current generation. Every department from the costumes to the production design has done its bit to enhance the film. Fitoor is visually stunning. Kashmir is shot with so much love that it is almost a character in the film. Amit Trivedi's haunting score lifts the film. Katrina looks and plays the temptress effortlessly but it is Aditya who delivers a wonderfully measured and mature performance that stays with you. Aditi Rao Hydari does full justice to the part of young Begum. Tabu delivers yet another solid performance. She is fantastic in every frame.
 
What's not: The problem lies in the on-screen chemistry between the lead pair. Individually they play their parts well but when they’re together, they seem more like siblings than lovers. The kisses and the intimate scenes appear almost forced and completely bereft of passion. The cameo by Ajay Devgn is just too contrived. It was a very important part of the story but it has zero impact on screen. The problem with Fitoor is that it's a love story that is not romantically compelling. The climax seems too rushed – it needed more drama and emotional depth but that's missing.
 
What to do: It's Valentine’s Week and if you are in the mood for a complex love story, check this one out.