BOLLYWOOD | Film Review
Simple and Realistic: Aashiqui 2
Directed by: Mohit Suri
Produced by: Bhushan Kumar, Mukesh Bhatt and Krishan Kumar
Written by: Shagufta Rafiqui
Starring: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Shaad Randhawa and Mahesh Thakur
Music by: Mithoon Sharma, Jeet Ganguly and Ankit Tiwari
Review by: Joginder Tuteja
Rating: **1/2 (Mediocre)
(Above): Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in “Aashiqui 2.”
Simple, honest and close to real life, Aashiqui 2 turns out to be way better than Mahesh Bhatt’s own creation. While songs were the highlight of the 1990 affair which ensured that the film gained enough eyeballs, it is the core story, narrative and an eventual culmination that give Aashiqui 2 an edge in this franchise which has definitely taken a leap in close to quarter of a century gone by.
What works in favor of Aashiqui 2 is that it doesn’t play by clichés.
Just as one expects the lead protagonist (Aditya Roy Kapur) to revel in self pity, it turns out that he is in fact trying hard to leave alcohol and get back on track.
(Above): Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor in “Aashiqui 2.”
Just when one thinks that a sense of jealousy a la Abhimaan would strike him hard, it turns out that he is in fact fighting his own inner demons. Just when one thinks that all would eventually go well for him soon, because he is, after all, a Bollywood hero, it turns out that director Mohit Suri took him in a corner and said – “But buddy, life is just not as simple.”
The non-simplistic virtues of real life told in a simple way gives Aashiqui 2 an edge. In the process it also conveys that at times even love can’t bring someone out of an abyss despite the best efforts. So when Shraddha Kapoor maintains the pace of her journey with that of her mentor (Aditya), it isn’t easy by any means, at least from the filmi parlance, where things “have to” go well after 3-4 volatile sequences. Instead, there are jerks that hit their relationship, makes one really think hard about how would it be if there was a point of no return.
(Above): Shraddha Kapoor in “Aashiqui 2.”
Thankfully for the audience, despite the somber mood that plays for a good part of the movie, there is no moment where writer Shagufta Rafique leads one to depression of any sorts. In it’s own little (and entertaining) way, the film progresses well enough to alternatively fluctuate between euphoria and tears inducing moments that make Aashiqui 2 a film that keeps you engaged for those 130 odd minutes.
Well, there is that little phase leading towards the pre-climax where one feels that the film has been left to stretch for a while. (Spoilers ahead) Shraddha taking Aditya to an exotic location and curing him was all fine but when the latter hits the bottle again, he leads himself to self destruction and finds himself in the lock-up. Makes one wonder if the story could have sped up a little. Of course in the core context of the film this was required to bring in a difference to the culmination. However, a faster movement would have not just made the film a tad shorter but also more effective.
Thankfully, what never lets the pace go down are the songs which are fairly abundant and entertain each time they play on screen. Right from “Sunn Raha Hai” that plays in the opening credits to “Bhula Dena” towards the climax, it is a quintessential Bhatt stamp that ensures that songs aid the story telling, not interrupt it. In a musical like this, it would have been a sacrilege to bring in anything lesser, kudos to the musical trio of Jeet Ganguly, Mithoon Sharma and Ankit Tiwari who bring in enough ingredients to get the story moving.
(Above): Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in “Aashiqui 2.”
What further helps are performances by Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor. Frankly, for all the awkwardness that Aditya brings on screen, it only turns out to be his strength, especially for the character that he plays in Aashiqui 2 since this was the kind of vulnerability that was the need of the moment. From the time he detects the star in Shraddha, to the acceptance of his failure, to the decisions that he takes in his life, which turn out to be turning points, he is just right for the part.
As for Shraddha, she is required to be sad for most part of the film but thankfully never brings on expressions that are overbearing enough to make her appear like a damsel in distress. Shaad Randhawa is decent in his part and does quite well in his all-important outburst where he explains his point of view to Aditya. Mahesh Thakur is as usual.
Overall the film, which does remind one of Bhatts’ own Daddy as well as Oscar-winner Walk The Line, is for those who have an appetite for love stories that don’t really walk the less trodden path but instead make one reflect on how life may not be that straight forward after all.
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