Considering the contribution of Indian animators and visual effects specialists to Hollywood films, it is heartening to finally see an animated film that raises the bar for Indian animation.
Roadside Romeo
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor
Director: Jugal Hansraj
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Considering the contribution of Indian animators and visual effects specialists to Hollywood films, it is heartening to finally see an animated film that raises the bar for Indian animation. Yash Raj Films' tie up with Walt Disney has paid dividends, albeit at a simplistic level. Writer-director Jugal Hansraj has carefully adhered to the rule book of animated films to deliver a sweet, swift and enjoyable film.
These assets are enhanced greatly by professional star voices that seemed to have had fun while infusing life into the cartoon characters.
Set in the streets of some Indian city populated by myriad stray dogs (and hardly any humans), Hansraj sticks to the formula of two lovers — Romeo (Saif Ali Khan, spot on) and Laila (Kareena Kapoor), a villain Charlie Anna (Jaaved Jaaferi, superb) in a love triangle, supported by sidekicks and a motley gang of stray dogs. Roadside Romeo offers no surprises in the plot, however, it somewhat circumvents that weakness with some quirky characterisations, snappy dialogues and an effortless tribute to Bollywood movies (including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge).
High on energy and action, the makers have kept the film tight on length, but could have benefitted from dropping a song or two as the settings and colour palette do not change greatly.
Further, as was the case with the recent Cheenti Cheenti Bang Bang, here too the makers have not incorporated unique traits of dogs or specific breeds (it's odd to see female dogs with human curves, for instance).
We are a long way away from the brilliance of Shrek, Toy Story or Finding Nemo, but Roadside Romeo is a step in the right direction on a long journey ahead.
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