Hamari Adhuri Kahani: Soundtrack might keep it afloat
This Mohit Suri film has various clichés and offers nothing new but music. Not even great actors like Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan could save the film. Throughout the film you’ll have a ‘seen that before’ feel, that doesn’t shake off. Plus, the elements and the predictability of the plot will leave you slightly disappointed. Not all love stories have a happy ending. Mohit Suri has somehow over-used the same formula, again.
The only thing that can bind the film is its music. That is what gives you a break from the redundancy of the plot. The attempt to pour ‘old wine in a new bottle’ is not working this time. The script falls weak in so many places. Vidya and Emraan try to revive the film with their acting, but what can the actors do when the basic plot keeps falling apart.
Star Performances:
Having said all, Vidya Balan’s potential as an actress is just not utilized, I feel. The powerhouse actress did try hard to keep this film afloat, but couldn’t do much to save the film. Yet, when she is on-screen, you will be hopeful that the film would better. And in some parts it does. Vidya’s character of the ‘sankari, pati-varta nari’ who then finds true love is decently put. But the sad part is, still in India there are such women who would sacrifice their happiness for the sake of their families, even if what is done to them is wrong. But in the age of women empowerment, that should change. And toward the end that thought was subtly put across to the audience.
Emraan Hashmi, the actor has always been underrated. And all were hopeful that with HAK, he would rise again. Whatever was given to the actor, he does that well. But then again, weak script it isn’t an actor’s fault. His character; of a successful man clawed in pain, freed by the love of a woman; should have been really good. But it just doesn’t click the way it was supposed to.
Rajkumar Rao, delivers a brilliant act as the Indian men stereotype. His was the performance really convincing and the role depicting the bare face of India.
Technicalities:
Good dialogues should have helped in faring the film, but overtly good dialogues might just lead to downfall. The film has a poetic touch and the musical-like screenplay is both good and bad. The only thing that holds the film together is its music. The soundtrack is beautiful. Kudos to Mithoon, Jeet Ganguly and Amy Mishra.
Like any Mohit Suri film, this one too boasts of a very ear-pleasing music. But in terms of direction, we would really like to see something really new and different from him. We know the man is capable of so much more and hope that we do get to see that again.
The story is said to be based on the real life of Nanabhai Bhatt’s parents. The idea of that kind of love is beautiful and tragic, but the depiction didn’t fare on our expectations.
Watch or not:
Despite all its flaws, Hamari Adhuri Kahaani should be watched once at least. Perception and acceptance differs from eye to eye. Hence it may so happen, on some note, HAK touches you in some way it doesn’t touch another.
The film is basically summed up in this quote.
“Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness.”- Alejandro Jodorowsky
Thumbs Up: Music
Thumbs Down: Plot, predictability, redundancy
