"Dear Reema (Director),
I am writing to you all these lines because I found it hard to believe that you are the same person whom I had met with during 'Lagaan' days and as an assistant to Ashutosh Gowariker. I remember you had dreams in your eyes and an urge to fulfill them. I know you have shown your films to many in the film world before the D-day that is today in your life. The film that marks your debut 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.' comes riding on a film that also has six pairs in love and most of them are huge stars.
The film was directed by none other than Nikhil 'Kal Ho Na Ho' Advani who though a better director than his producer Karan Johar, decided to make a film titled 'Salam-e-Ishq'. Having seen debacle of this multistarrer not many were sure as to what you had got in your kitty different from them. I move from my office, leaving my work to my colleagues. I was told that the film would start around 12.30 p.m. and finish before 3 p.m.
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I wondered how a movie with 12 actors would end in less than three hours. (I also felt happy that like 'Salam-e-Ishq', I shall not have to suffer much pain sitting and watching the movie!) So, I reached this little theatre named Diamond Gold which separates New Delhi from Old Delhi. But, I was amused to see a number of boys and girls holding their backpacks and making a large queue in front of the cinema hall.
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I thought 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.' is for elderly people or those who have just got married. Close to this theatre I could see huge hoardings and posters on another cinema hall showing 'Eklavya'. There was not even a single teenager in front of that theatre. I moved further and after thorough checking reached my seat. The film started. It's U/A meaning parental guidance is needed for those below 14 years, and the length of the film is 12 reels.
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The sofa seat is pulled out. People are in mood to relax in cinema hall. The new Tata bus 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. rolls on the screen. Soon comes the first jerk when Ranvir Shorey appears on screen waiting for his wife (Dia Mirza) to join him for honeymoon. There are five more couples, besides them. There is Boman; there is Shabana, Kay Kay, Raima, Abhay Deol, Minishha and Sandhya Mridul and Vikram Chatwal.
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They introduce themselves one by one and soon the bus reaches its destination of GAO. But, what's so different about this? I again feel that the first film would test nerves of many. Than, I think of women directors around. There are Kalpana Lajmi, Sai Paranjaye, Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta, Tanuja Chandra and many more. Reema, I think that you are also one of them who will come out with some social dilemma and will work on this to get some good critical acclaim.
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My thought process is broken by a huge laughter wave that starts from the front row where all youths from a nearby college are sitting. They are enjoying every scene of the film. Dia has locked herself in a toilet and Ranveer just can't resist the pressure of nature's call. The first night of a newly wed couple! I also remember a guy in black clothes following the bus Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. It appears to be Arjun Rampal who enters the scene and happens to be the lover of this girl. He takes away the girl in daylight from the hands of her husband. They elope in woods. Good shot, Reema.
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Everybody gets involved in the story now. Faces become less important. No one remembers seeing Boman, Shabana, Amisha Patel and Kay Kay in the beginning. They just become some new chracters and kudos to you. Reema, what an excellent performance by all of them. No one can forget Abhay and Minisha doing that beautiful salsa in the evening of Goa. Their steps are just perfect. They look into each other's eyes as if they are made for each other.
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And when you make us to believe that they are in fact superhero couple, no one flashes eyelids in disbelief. Great. Another good scene is where Raima decides to go for parasailing in sari and then changing after the incident. And, Kay Kay what an actor you have got' he is just superb once again. 'Sajna Main Wari Wari Jaaoon' is going to rock the discos and so is Kay Kay.
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I am also amused as to how you managed to think of a gay angle between Sandhya and Amisha's husbands. But ice on the cake is the pair of Shabana and Boman. Thier every scene together is a craftwork. Whatever Shabana says makes a ladder for the film to reach a new height. And through you, Farhaan too has paid debts of his father Javed Akhtar. The lines that Shabana speaks at the climax of the film turn into an ode of love from a son to a father. It must have been great for Farhaan and Joya both when Javed decided to get married second time to Shabana.
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Reema, I never met you again after those 'Lagaan' days and that meeting wasn't something that can be remembered. But, you have shown that you are different from others. And, in 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.' you have shown this. I don't want to comment this time on any other department of 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.' because this film belongs to a director like you. Well done. Best of wishes for next one!"
