Imtiaz Ali's movie 'Jab We Met' has all the trappings of a romantic entertainer.
The film doesn't boast of a very unique story. What makes it interesting is the way it has been presented by Imtiaz Ali . 'Jab We Met' tells the story of two contrasting personalities who develop an affinity while traveling together through the heartland of north India. Ali makes sure that something new happens in every reel of the film to keep you glued to the screen. However, the film is not without some low points.
But first, the story:
Aditya ( Shahid Kapur ), a young industrialist, is dejected with life because his girlfriend left him for another man. Aimlessly he boards a train on which he meets Geet ( Kareena Kapoor ) a chatterbox who annoys him with her constant talking. So much so that he gets down the train to avoid her. She follows him there too. And the two end up missing the train.
Stranded on a platform, Geet, the sikhni, tells Aditya in clear words that he would now have to get her to her home in Bhatinda. Thereafter begins the journey of Aditya and Geet through the scenic villages and towns of North India. And once they reach Bhatinda, Geet's family thinks Aditya is her boyfriend. Deep within, Aditya too begins to like Geet.
But Geet has other plans. She has a boyfriend with whom she plans to elope. Aditya accompanies her to Manali from where he heads back to revive his business back in Mumbai.
Is it the final goodbye for Geet and Aditya or are they destined to meet again? The end is predictable, but the way Imtiaz Ali brings the story to its obvious conclusion makes 'Jab We Met' worth a watch.
Though a predictable love story, 'Jab We Met' is different because most of it is set outdoors. The romantic moments between Shahid and Kareena tug a string at your heart. Complementing the mush is the lighthearted humour that the film has in ample doses. If anything was left, the film's music completes the delectable cocktail.
There can be no two opinions that Shahid and Kareena are the driving forces of 'Jab We Met'. Shahid's performance is composed and restrained. He brings about a gradual transformation in his character, as his journey with Kareena gets closer to destination.
On the other hand, Kareena is absolutely uninhibited. With the exception of a few scenes when she goes over the top, Kareena plays her role with conviction and credibility. She does manage to sound and look like a sikhni from Bhatinda.
In marginal roles, Dara Singh and Pawan Malhotra are good.
To sum it up, 'Jab We Met' is not a path-breaking film. But it is a fairly enjoyable entertainer with a dash of drama in the second half. In fact, for a few reels in the second half, the movie loses its momentum.
What makes 'Jab We Met' watchable is the chemistry between Shahid and Kareena. It is ironic that they no longer share the same chemistry in real life.
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