'Always Kabhi Kabhi' lacks zest

Film: Always Kabhi Kabhi (U)
Cast: Zoa Morani, Satyajeet Dubey, Ali Fazal, Giselli Monteiro, Lilette Dubey
Director: Roshan Abbas
Rating: **

It’s raining teeny-bopper movies in Bollywood. And the latest offering is by host and director Roshan Abbas, with Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment as producer.

Expectations from a film backed by King Khan and starring newcomers is likely to generate interest at least in the age bracket it is aimed at.

Like any other teen film, it has stock characters: wild and carefree Nandini aka Nandy Bull (Morani), nerd Taariq (Dubey), the hunk Sameer (Fazal) and delicate lass Ash (Monteiro).

Each of these is prey to strained relationships with their parents, which is why their school and friends seems to be the only reason they stand up tall. Nandy’s mom is always travelling and unavailable; Tariq’a father is obsessed with getting his son a seat in MIT.

Sameer’s dad never listens to what his son has to say and Ash’s over-ambitious mother wants her to taste the glam world of films much against her wishes.

The school kids have their fun at school, singing songs in the verandah, enacting Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, attending pool parties and even visiting the shady Hellfire club.

Much of what they do is insignificant to the narrative, which is all over the place and confused. From being fun in the first half to being preachy in the second, the screenplay of Always Kabhi Kabhi lacks the zest which oozes out of its cast. Those who grew up in the 90s will be reminded of Doordarshan’s School Days and Star One’s Hip Hip Hurray that dealt with issues like bridging the generation gap among others. 

The fresh cast (excluding Monteiro) is the best part of Always Kabhi Kabhi, with Fazal emerging as a star to watch out for. Morani, Fazal and Satyajeet make confident debuts. With a screen presence like Morani’s you can’t help but be reminded of an emaciated version of a certain Shamita (who?) Shetty. Lilette is over-the-top yet pleasant, while Vijay Raaz is under-acting yet memorable.

A number of unnecessary songs spoil the fun that could have been Always Kabhi Kabhi. In-film branding for a coffee chain, hospital chain, a soft drink and even for lead actress Morani are a sure-fire put off.

Always Kabhi Kabhi makes for a light watch with friends probably at a sleepover. But compared to the fare available this week (Bhindi Bazaar Inc and Bheja Fry 2), Always... certainly scores higher.