A MOVIE REVIEW - ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA

A FILM REVIEW - ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA

Starring - Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin

Directed by - Zoya Akhtar

Duration - 2hrs 35 mins

Release Date - 15 July 2011

There are very rare films in Bollywood which can depict friendship in a beautiful manner. After Dil Chahta Hai(2001), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was like a fresh wind that we all needed to consume. This movie is a story of three friends - Arjun(Hrithik Roshan), Imraan(Farhan Akhtar) and Kabir(Abhay Deol). After Kabir proposed his girlfriend Natasha(Kalki Koechlin) to marry him , the three boys set out on a road trip to Spain on account of Kabir's bachelorette. They had made a pact in college that each of one of them will choose an adventure sport of their own and the other two have to participate in that no matter what. As the three friends embark on this journey they somehow realise that they are not living their life happily. Each one of them had some fears,some secrets within them with which they were fighting alone. As the journey continues the three friends open up to each other and they revive the bond which was lost among them. Arjun is a financial broker whose only aim in life is to earn as much money as possible and get retired at 40. Arjun's father died when he was 15 and left his family with heavy debts. As a result of which for him work was everything in life. Katrina Kaif did a delightful job potraying Laila, who was their deep sea diving instructor. She not only helped get rid of Arjuns's fright of water but also made him realise that work is not everything in life. The love which was shown between Laila and Arjun was so simple and pure and yet so captivating. Imraan wanted to meet his biological father about whom he found out recently and was devastated . After meeting his biological father Salman Habib played by Naseruddin Shah, he realized that he never actually wanted to take the responsibility of being a father to Imraan and he also realized why his mother did not tell her about Salman before. As the story further continues it is shown that Kabir has a very troubled relationship with his fiancee Natasha as she turns out to be very possessive and she was loosing her individuality in the relationship. All these characters had been blended properly by Zoya Akhtar. No character was seen overshadowing any other character. All of them had their well defined timing and space.

Zoya Akhtar did a wonderful job of weaving the story into a whole. The beautiful scenery of Spain has been potrayed wonderfully. The locations are exotic and fit well with the story. Zoya did a great job in placing humour even in serious situations like where the trio gets into a squabble or ar behind the bars. It is absolutely commendable. Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay were perfect in their respective roles. Although the running time may seem a little long to some people but there is no moment the film will loose it's pace. The credible camaraderie between the three male leads is what makes us relate to the film effortlessly. Their bond is genuine as a result of which they always stay together even in case of any conflict. 

Each of the adventure sport like deep sea diving, sky diving and running with the bulls is filmed to realistic and riveting effect , giving us somewhat a great touch of the experience. The sky diving scene is by far the most iconic scene. The detail and depth with which it is picturized, literally makes us experience every bit of that adventure. Farhan Akhtar adds a slice of life freshness with the beautiful heart touching monologues written by the great Javed Akhtar. Shankar - Ehsaan- Loy did a commendable job . The songs gies extremely well with the scenario and makes the film complete. 

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara teaches us that everyday in life should be lived and enjoyed , work is not everything in life, whatever happens we have to overcome the fears within ourselves, friends are our chosen family and they will be with us till the end.

As a whole this film gives us an amazimg experience. I rate it absolute 5 stars.