Review: 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' will resonate with everyone

Film: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Kalki, Farooq Sheikh
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Rating: ***

There is a scene in the film where perched atop a hill top overlooking Jodhpur, Deepika tells Ranbir to slow down and stop grasping everything within his reach. She asks him to be still, enjoy the moment and savour every bit of it. Ayan Mukerji's Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is full of such beautifully written, poignant moments. In fact, if you subtract the songs, the sheer beauty of the screenplay comes to the surface. Despite the big names associated with the project, YJHD scores because of its subtlety and ability to use less to say more.

Bunny (Ranbir), Aditi (Kalki) and Avi (Aditya) are three free spirited friends for whom climbing the highest mountain peak in Manali is more important than attending college or finding a job. An antithesis of their personality  is Naina (Deepika) who has always been obedient, stood first in class, worn neatly ironed clothes and basically revolved her world around books and meeting the expectations of her parents. After a run in with her school mate Aditi, Naina has a calling that  makes her do the unthinkable - leave her dull boring life and join a bunch of strangers on an expedition to Manali.

The first half is easy breezy and a lot of time is spent developing the interpersonal chemistry between these four characters. Even though we know the story line focuses on Bunny and Naina, we never feel alienated from the other two friends who are equally important in the story line.

The second half is more serious bringing us closer to the changed lives of these friends who have all grown up and are dealing with coming of age in different ways. YJHD is a story of friendship more than love. Yes, there is ample romance to last you till next Valentine's Day, but the heart of the script lies in emotional ties between four individuals who aren't afraid to acknowledge that 'thing's aren't the same like before'.

Length is a major issue with the film, but if you let that pass then Mukherjee's vision and delivery is flawless. Maybe the second half needed to be tighter, or the songs edited better, regardless of how it could have been, what we see on screen is so 2013 and fresh that it makes everything else look dated.

While Wake up Sid was more personal, YJHD seems like a chapter that will resonate with everyone. Deepika and Ranbir's tryst with romance, the denials and acceptance, frustration of not being able to live certain moments all over again, are just some of the emotions that are drawn out of every day scenarios. Mukherjee keeps it real. Between the dazzle of Manish Malhotra's sequins, slick production value, and a robust item song by Madhuri Dixit, lies a simple story of vulnerability, and fear of loss.

Over the last few films, Ranbir has managed to reach a platform where anything he does seems so easy and natural. With his best friend as the director, there is never a dull moment with RK on screen. There is a lot more of him in Bunny than any of his characters.

Aditya Roy Kapoor gives him a solid support, again proving that he's one of the new faces to watch for. Kalki sparkles and wows you with her effervescence. She is so good, that you wonder why people aren't casting her in regular roles, rather than writing characters keeping her in mind.

Despite the terrific ensemble, the film belongs to Deepika Padukone. She has arrived, and that isn't a dig or a snide remark, but a validation of her evolution from being just another stunning face to someone who can keep you engaged even in the weak moments. I can't think of any other actress who would have done justice to the role, the way she has. Her transformation from 'scholar Naina' wearing frames with straight hair, to the sexy nose ring wearing girl in Badtameez Dil is outstanding. Mukherjee deserves full marks for making this pairing possible. The chemistry between RK and Deepika is unsurpassable.

Of course fans of both the actors will make beelines at the theatre, but keeping that aside, YJHD is a well written film that should be watched for its direction, treatment and some remarkable performances.

Watch the trailer of the film here: