click for larger view

Is marriage the culmination of perfect romance or anticipation of inexperienced love? Do strangers fall in love out of choice or by enforced obligation of inseparable relationship? Does the institute of marriage hold its position in the present world? How does "arrange marriage" strike chord with present genre thoughts and emotions? Is it better or worse than love marriage?

This may sound like a questionnaire by committed marriage counselors but fortunately these thoughts have shaped up into average gesticulation of dramatics on the celluloid in Meghna Gulzar's 'Just Married'. It was "commitment phobia" that landed with style and conviction in PNC's last release 'Pyar Ke Side Effects' and stunned box office and critics. This time its "Arranged Marriage Ke Side Effects" that is unfolded into spicy, steamy and emotional saga of two strangers who are bonded by the destiny. Being an Indian, it's customary to witness and experience the whims and fancies of arrange marriage but the concept has never found fancy in trendy commercial mainstream cinema. 'Just Married ' is a breather as it builds the chemistry between traditional Indian love birds that are bonded in marital bliss.

The concept may impress many eyeballs on the silver screen as a wacky hilarious family show makes exciting preface to the film but the problem ignites as the plot matures. PNC's 'Pyar Ke Side Effects' ruled the box office for its indifferent and spectacular treatment and execution but 'Just Married' loses its ground on these fronts.

click for larger view

'Just Married' initiates with happy-go-lucky foreign returned Abhay (Fardeen Khan), who has been a party freak all through his youth. Ritika (Esha Deol) is a shy and introvert middle class girl who hates the concept of "arrange marriage" but finally bows to her parent's choice. Ironically, they meet as strangers at a gaudy marriage function but then they are bounded to be life partners. 'Just Married' starts where all love stories end but the problem lies with the communion of two strangers! Two different strangers (Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol) who found themselves in relationships repel each other for no strong reasons during their honeymoon. The boy wants to consummate marriage but the girl mistakes it as ugly sexual advances. This mismatched feeling gets the spotlight of the film and from thereon many sub-stories culminate. The girl sheepishly calls her parents while the boy hangs out lonely with the boys brigade. Even they get separate beds, but the guilt remains unexplained. Unfortunately, it takes 14 reels to unfold that should have better done at a faster pace in the second half.

click for larger view

It's the aged pair (Satish Shah and Kiron Kher) that makes the show worth watching with their infallible but eccentric chemistry in building the tempo for the film. Thereafter the film rests on frail shoulders on semi-baked plots of passionate couple (Bikram Saluja and Perizaad Zorabian), childhood love pair (Mukul Dev and Sadia Siddiqui) and live-in together love pair (Raj Zutshi and Tarina Patel). The different chemistries of honeymooners may sound similar to the recently released 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd' but conceptually they are as different as cheese and chalk.

click for larger view

Meghna Gulzar's sharp writing skills may be inherent due to her legendary father Gulzar but they have worked occasionally and faltered in the climax. Meghna has matured tremendously from her debut 'Filhal' as this time she has chosen modest and appropriate subject. The complexities arise in its unexplained plot that fails to grip the story.

click for larger view

No wonder that both the actors (Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol) have excelled magnificently but their characters were loosely caricatured. The biggest disappointment lies in the hyper-active climax (bus accident sequence) where the two strangers eventually fall in love. In subtle love stories it is advisable to end the film with melodramatically hilarious or dramatic end but the director thought it otherwise. The last few reels are complete downer as the life saving tactics can't be stepping stones for broken marital relationships. The half baked love chemistry of passionate lovebirds (Bikram Saluja and Perizaad Zorabian) fails to provide any ground to the theme and goes berserk in the second half. Similarly, the loosely conceived screenplay of introverted pair (Mukul Dev and Sadia Siddiqui) and live-in lovers (Raj Zutshi and Tarina Patel) adds cracks and dents to the script. Except for the aged pair (Satish Shah and Kiron Kher), no other pair shows any bonding with the relevancy of the script.

click for larger view

Meghna Gulzar still has to unravel long journey to be clubbed in the list of prodigal young directorial talents. She excels in delivering crispy dialogues and witty one-liners in the first half. The scenes between Satish Shah and Kiron Kher are hilariously brilliant in all aspects. Even the initial scenes between Fardeen and Esha make funny bones tickle but thereafter the film never grips the audience.

click for larger view

Fardeen Khan takes a big leap in the acting department and it works positively for his future projects. His improvised Hindi diction has polished his acting skills and it shows in intense emotional scenes. Dark and dusky Esha Deol shows signs of maturity with her balanced performance after being relegated to a glam doll in films like 'Dhoom'. She has fitted into the character well but her characterization proves the weakest link in the script. Satish Shah's brilliant comical timing makes the film worthy and his performance holds the show together. Similarly, Kiron Kher delivers a well etched performance and their pair is the highlight of the show. Bikram Saluja and Perizaad Zorabian play their roles well. Mukul Dev, Raj Zutshi, Sadia Siddiqui, Tarina Patel justify their characters with honesty.

The film holds its attention for finely executed landscaped locations of Ooty with some breathtaking cinematography by Sachin Kumar. Pritam's music is spellbinding and caters to all situations in all the tracks. The soundtrack "Ram Milaya Jodi" builds the tempo of a lively family entertainer while melodious 'Jagte Raho" shows the inhibited nervousness with a tinge of hilarity.

click for larger view

Meghna Gulzar's 'Just Married' hasn't worked well as it promises to be in its first few reels. It's another case where a noble intention or good subject has gone awry. This is indeed better as compared to her first presentation but fails to be a complete entertainer. PNC enjoyed the surprise success of 'Pyar Ke Side Effects' last year and now they will have to satisfy with average collections at the box office. The year 2007 has started off on a dull note and with World Cup fever reaching its peak soon will turn it duller in the coming days. It can be clubbed with semi-hit 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd' for being a good time-pass entertainer. The promising word of mouth might prove a blessing but miracles don't work these days.

Just Okay!