Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, good hai ji!

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharnma, Vinay Pathak
Aditya Chopra
***

Last week, I spotted Aditya Chopra at a multiplex. The maverick filmmaker is known to make a trip to cinema halls every week and watch the audience react to all films - romantic, comic or downright sleazy. Although I had an itch to go and have a chat with him, I wanted to give the man what he likes – his privacy – something he's been guarding fiercely since the release of his first film, the eternal blockbuster Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ). After all, in spite of all his extraordinary achievements, Aditya prefers the life of an ordinary man, in some ways like Surinder Sahni in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (RNBDJ).

Surinder ((Shah Rukh Khan, who else!) is a 9-to-5 man: simple, unheroic and ageing. Circumstances compel Surinder to marry Taani (Anushka Sharma, perfect casting), after she loses her lover in an accident. Taani surrenders herself to be a duty-bound wife, complying with traditions and being the perfect spouse in every way possible. But she can never love Surinder, she tells him a day after their marriage. Surinder, having fallen head-over-heals for Taani, has no hopes of her ever developing feelings for him due to his ordinary looks and nature. 

But he has to tell her how much he loves her, and he needs an outlet. Surinder then transforms in to Raj, who is everything Surinder isn't. Loud, flamboyant and sometimes vulgar, Surinder lives the life he always wanted to through Raj. He gets to flirt with Taani, be her partner on a dance competition and express his love in a way he can never imagine doing as Surinder.

The problem arises when Taani starts falling in love with Raj. Although Raj is really Surinder's alter ego, Taani doesn't know that and her loving Raj reflects her lack of wanting to be with Surinder.

Aditya Chopra keeps it simple this time. The film is not very high on grandeur, style and designer clothes and revolves mainly around the two characters, three if you take into account Shah Rukh's dual roles. Aditya doesn't deviate much from the plot and sticks to linear form of storytelling. Having said that, the single-track nature of the story also makes it a tad too long at 2 hours and 45 minutes. The same story, told in a little over two hours, would have done wonders.

However, you have to give it to Aditya to attempt a love story that's drastically different from the one he set the trend of in the first place. Coming back after a span of eight years, Aditya chooses a subject that may not set the cash registers ringing in a way, say, a Om Shanti Om did, but tells a heartwarming love story of a middle-class, middle-aged man that needs to be applauded for its minimalism. It reflects the director's own maturity as a person and in spite of not being as engrossing as DDLJ, the film manages to keep you entertained.

Certain sequences, of course, are outstanding. The entire build-up to Surinder's character, his transformation into Raj and moments between husband and wife at home are brilliant. A surprise 'bike' sequence is among the film's other highlights. But the biggest of them all is Shah Rukh gyrating with some of today's top heroines (we won't take names) to a medley of songs – from Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand to Rajesh Khanna, Shammi and Rishi Kapoor -  that will bring the house down. In fact, the song is a clear indication of Shah Rukh's star power and could do for the movie what Mere Angne Main did for Amitabh Bachchan and Laawaris.

Just like Aditya chooses a road-less-travelled for his comeback, Shah Rukh performs a role that must have required tremendous introspection. As Surinder, he plays it down and delivers a performance that is among the best in Hindi films. As 'lover boy' Raj, although he is on more familiar territory, the earthy accent and walk is what gives it a distinct style. In other words, Shah Rukh betters himself in many ways and provides his fans with a full paisa vasool performance.

Anushka Sharma seems tailor-made for the role and does well to stand up to Shah Rukh in many scenes. Sweet and vulnerable, you wish that Anushka's career doesn't slump like Gracy 'Lagaan' Singh after the high RNBDJ will be for her. Vinay Pathak, as Surinder's best friend, performs the kind of role he should be doing more: a supporting actor. He is competent as usual.

In the end, RNBDJ is a veritable treat for Shah Rukh fans. Simpler than DDLJ and superior to Mohabbatein, the film establishes Aditya Chopra's talents as one of the best in the industry. 

Give this one a shot!
g_aniruddna@dnaindia.net