A COLORFUL FESTIVAL TREAT
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau
Critic's I-view
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It's cosmic world of cosmonaut Agastya Rao (Akshay Kumar) that transforms into frenzied world of inhibited world of romanticism. It's cinematic world of dreamer Suhaan Kapoor (Salman Khan) that outlives luxuries to its fullest, and finally succumbs to unforgiving miseries of lost love and marriage. It's beautiful world of Piya (Preity Zinta) that demands beauty from nature, friends and finally desires her love interest to be her soul-mate. Welcome to the world of candy floss entertainment of 'Jaan-e-Mann', a visual treat by Shrish Kunder. The concept of love triangles have traveled for many decades and have seen many conflicting periods of successes and failures. If we go by the promos then it can be concluded that Shirish Kunder has gone the Karan Johar way. But don't judge the book by its cover and it's better to read and understand it.
The flashy costumes and glossy outlook might create a buzz that the film has loads of style minus substance. Let the storyteller display its full cards and then decide what this is all about? The frustrated lover (Salman Khan) tries to bail out his misery by planting love relationship to get rid from his ex-flame and beloved (Preity Zinta). Ironically, the plan succeeds with the help of her old compatriot (Akshay Kumar) who has been nursing love for her for years. The estranged lover becomes the voice over of the surrogate one and it develops the desired love chemistry. Now, its dude (Salman Khan) counseling geek (Akshay Kumar) for successful relationship and that's not all. The dude dons the attire of costume anchoring for him and leaves no stone unturned. The circumstance brings out the humane out of the immature disco freak and transforms him into the compassionate soulful lover. The paths cross each other and the emotional turbulence of constrained and love struck hearts burst out with tears. This is what 'Jaan-e-Mann' is all about!
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Candy floss flashy entertainers have always been on the brighter side of box-office results and it has fancied the imagination of pop genre to a large extent. Earlier, it was trademark of select few, but now the genre has been glorified and extenuated by the new crop of filmmakers. It demands loads of aesthetical vision in balancing the style and substance in conceiving syrupy mushy story. The top notch banners have treasured themselves with finesse, and it has dwelled new crop of filmmakers. Debutante director Shirish Kunder is new kid on block who experiments with it and starts big with 'Jaan-e-Mann'. He came out with flying colors as editor in 'Main Hoon Na' followed by his successful martial relationship with choreographer Farah Khan. This comes out as his third histrionic that has garnered meteoric media hype, thanks to high-profile marketing.
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'Jaan-e-Mann' is the story of day dreamer Suhaan Kapoor (Salman Kapoor), a self-styled superstar who receives alimony notice from his wife Piya (Preity Zinta). He is in dilemma as Piya has sought Rs fifty million as alimony from him. Suhaan seeks the help of his intelligent uncle (Anupam Kher) who is a proficient lawyer. He advises him to find a suitable match for Piya so that she can remarry with that person and he can be bailed out from this financial mess. In the meanwhile, Champu alias Agastya Rao (Akshay Kumar) walks into their life and seeks the hand of Piya. Suhaan is pleased to know that Agastya was silent lover of Piya in college days. He encourages him to win over her heart. Both board plane to New York for Piya's destination. The taciturn and obstinate Agastya seeks the help of street smart Suhaan in winning Piya's heart. In due course Suhaan is surmounted with the love of his infant baby girl that brings tears in his eyes. Suhaan remorses for his immature behavior and decides for a patch up with Piya. But things have changed now and Piya has found a new life partner in Agastya. The film takes a surprising turn when the real love wins and soul-mates unite.
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'Jaan-e-Mann' is a treat for the festive season and brings colors, romance and lights with new flair of filmmaking. It brings out the futurist concept of narration that flash forwards and backwards the events and emotions by stroke of techno-wizardry skills. New designer Surily Goel makes impressive dent by experimenting with multifaceted get ups of Salman Khan. The actor can be spotted in Elvis Presley, Zorro etc attires and it has come out well on screen.
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Cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee's master craftsman works superbly throughout and is one of the highlights of the film. The stylish dream sequence where Salman Khan is nominated and finally wins Filmfare Award with noted Bollywood celebrities deserves appreciation. The flashy cinematography of "Humko Maloom Hai" is done in typical "Moulin Rouge" with loads of gloss and sheen. Watch out for the skyscraping gleaming vision of New York and it transforms you there with sheer delight. The soundtrack "Sau Dard" has been picturized with finesse showing the cosmopolitan delights of New York City and the beauty of "Brooklyn Bridge".
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Finally, the concluding sequence in cosmic space where Akshay introduces her beloved (Preity Zinta in double role) to Salman is finely executed. Sabu Cyril's art direction is cut above rest and it builds up the space for the love chemistry to mushroom. The stylish interiors, scintillating stage setting and exotic display of festive celebrations speak volumes for his expertise. The brilliantly executed cinematography and art direction have been shouldered well with efficient choreography of Farah Khan. The choreographer has been strikingly impressive in soundtracks in songs "Ajnabi Sheher", "Jaane Ke Jaane Na" and "Humko Maloom Hai".
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The entire leading star cast has been brilliant from the first to last scenes and it is seen in every shot and frame. Salman Khan may show signs of aging but the actor has matured tremendously. The gritty and witty characterizations of immature dude have suited him to the hilt. Salman's performance has been the biggest boost in the film's success and it will be counted as one of his finest performances in recent years. Akshay Kumar is complete revelation in depiction of "nerd" craving for college bombshell in classrooms and discotheques. Akshay has been better known for his action and comical image but this time he has changed lanes completely. In the climax, where he outbursts emotionally in front of the mirror is phenomenal and the tearful scene where he sacrifices his love shows his strength as a reliable actor in business. Dimple-cheeked Preity Zinta lives up to her expectations and delivers her role gracefully. It may sound strange to sport her as sporty college freak but she responds well. The high point of Preity's performance lies where she shows maturity in emotional scenes.
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Anupam Kher comes in the mould of Danny Devito style of acting of a skillful lawyer and dons "dwarf" appearance with élan. Anupam's versatility can be judged from the way he plays the chameleon character of witty uncle despite his physical limitations. The second half where Anupam appears in second role is worth watching. Pakistani actors -- Jawed Sheikh and Soni Razdan - act well in their respective roles. Aman Verma has little scope in underwritten role of a comical villain.
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'Jaan-e-Mann' completely belongs to writer, director and editor Shirish Kunder and he can easily be termed as new directorial prodigy of the year. After David Dhawan, Kunder seems to be the next editor who has taken the tinsel town by storm. The innovative narrative skills of transporting story from spacecraft to Mumbai city is a fine piece of experimentation. Later, the weaving of plots and sub-plots through fine art direction and cinematography is the high point that extracts quality work from the actors. Shirish handles climax very well despite the fact that the screenplay has minor blemishes. There are minor flaws but they hardly retard the flow of the film but it's the length that might restrict audiences. The film has been unfolded in 19 reels and it may become tiresome for viewers otherwise it has shaped very well. 'Jaan-e-Mann' has been backed by esteemed Nadiadwala Productions and has been released with over 1000 prints all over the world. The film will prove beneficial for producers and distributors and will score maximum at overseas and posh multiplexes in metro cities. Despite the fact the film faces tough competition from its arch rival 'Don', it has the merits and credentials to swim against the tide. It can be counted as one of the finest debutante directorial works of the year and should prove money spinner in the coming weeks. In nutshell, 'Jaan-e-Mann' is colorful festive treat that should bring smiles to many faces.
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