Zindagi Na MIlegi Dobara

Even before Zoya Akhtar began this movie, I have believed in the title of this movie. My only concern was how will she make a movie with this title. I must say I returned happy.

Zoya, the Director derives a lot from her brother's iconic movie 'Dil Chahta Hai' here. There are 3 bosom buddies, Kabeer [Abhay Deol], Arjun [Hritik Roshan] and Imraan [Farhan Akhtar]. There is male bonding. There is misunderstanding between two of them. There is the middle of the path friend who brings the estranged friends together. There is a girl full of life and love. There is a tour and a lot of masti. And there is realization about life and love at the end and the truth that you only live once.

The three friends on a holiday meet one another and then themselves in the process. One ends up breaking his engagement. Another realizes money isn't everything in life if you are not living today. The third decides to open up to the world with his poetry.

Though this one doesn't scale the same heights as DCH, ZNMD does leave you contented and feeling warm. Abhay Deol and Farhar Akhtar get equal billing with Hritik. Each one gets a chance to foist upon the other two, his idea of adventure during a bachelor's holiday in Spain.

Each adventure brings one of the boys face to face with what they really want. For Arjun, it is love. His love for the simple, lovable and vivacious deep sea diving instructor Laila [Katrina Kaif]. For Imraan, it is his own inner angst against his biological father [Salim, played with dignity by Naseeruddin Shah] and his final triumph over the fear of taking the jump. Kabeer, forced by family commitments finally decides to take the bull by the horn to call off a forced engagement with Natasha [Kalki Koechlin].

The dialogues are simple and are straight out of real life. Reema Kagti who directed the delicious "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd" has joined hands with Zoya in weaving a smooth screen play and endowed it with fabulous dialogues. If the movie is a tad slow, that is because it is happening almost in real time. There are narrated flash-backs but no fast forwards. Javed Akhtar's poems credited to Imraan in the movie add to the impact.

Songs are nice and music easy on the ears without being memorable like DCH. Technically ZNMD is a contemporary movie and is up to date. It did not make me go ROTFL. There are some LOL moments but mostly it kept me smiling.

All actors from Hritik, Farhan, Abhay, Kalki and Naseeruddin Shah to the Spanish actor Ariadna Cabrol have done fabulously. But Katrina Kaif is a revelation. She has matured into a fabulous actor. And even in minimal makeup, she looks gorgeous. Overall it is a satisfying movie experience.

In short, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is 'Dil Chahta Hai' 10 years younger, stylized and in slow motion on beautiful Spanish Roads. This is a journey worth your time, money and most importantly intellect.

My verdict: Haven't you watched it yet ? Must be kidding !