MOVIE REVIEW: I Hate LUV Storys

The first thing that attracts you to I HATE LUV STORYS is its title. Let's face it, we adore love stories... at least I do. We idolise the characters decades after the movies have come and gone. The songs that come on our lips instantly while playing a game of antakshri are romantic songs as well. In fact, the biggest moneyspinners, let's face it, have been love stories, right? So how can we 'hate' a love story?

No matter how mushy or cheesy they are, we find love stories irresistible because of the tremendous rush we experience at the end. Some of us are big suckers for love sagas, aren't we? That's precisely the reason why this title [I HATE LUV STORYS] nagged me no end every time I watched the promo of this film.

Helmed by first-timer Punit Malhotra, I HATE LUV STORYS is typical candyfloss romance with a story that's not jaw-droppingly different, let me forewarn you. But if you're young at heart or a diehard and hopeless romantic, you'd lap up I HATE LUV STORYS like a kid laps up his fav candy.

Now to the vital question: If I HATE LUV STORYS rests on a thin plot, what is it that drives the film for the next two hours? My answer to that is, four factors: The fresh pairing and chemistry between the lead cast, tremendous youth appeal, terrific music and magical moments that make a love story work.

Final word? The makers have never claimed that I HATE LUV STORYS will change the face of Hindi cinema. Nor did they ever claim that I HATE LUV STORYS will change the mindset of the viewer towards romantic films. So let's sit back and enjoy the fun ride. This one's by the youth, for the youth. It's this age-group that would come out smiling, cheering and rooting for this prem kahani.

'I hate love stories' is the maxim Jay [Imran Khan] lives by. But as an assistant director to Veer [Samir Soni], the most famous romantic film-maker of Indian film industry, Jay has little option but to live with larger than life, glossy, cinematic love on an everyday basis. Things only get worse when he is made to work under the new production designer on the film, Simran [Sonam Kapoor], with whom he shares the strangest first encounter.

Simran loves love stories, so much so that even her life has begun to resemble one. With her ideal job and the perfect boyfriend Raj [Samir Dattani], she lives a blissful, dreamy life. One that is rudely interrupted by Jay's cynicism.

Writer-director Punit Malhotra wins Round 1 by casting the right actors in the roles of Jay and Simran. In fact, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that the casting is the trump card of this film. But what Punit ought to know by now is that every story ought to have a strong grip to keep your attention arrested for the next two hours. In this case, the film rests on a waferthin plot, with not much movement in the story in the first hour. In fact, the story barely moves in the first part.

Yes, post-interval, the story does gather momentum and though you're well aware of the journey and what the culmination will be like, you don't mind the ride because you can't take your eyes off Imran and Sonam. Also, a love story works if one pines for the on-screen lovers and in I HATE LUV STORYS, you genuinely want the duo to sort things out, which means that you're involved in their lives. Even the finale - it won't be fair on my part to reveal how this movie concludes - may be filmy or cliched, but let's face it, it works.

Let me draw parallels with another love story, also starring Imran Khan. Recall the finale of JAANE TU YA JAANE NA, which had Imran riding a horse to reach his sweetheart [Genelia] at the airport. I distinctly recall, a lot of people found the end bizzare and rightly so. Can you imagine anyone galloping to the international airport in Mumbai? But I was truly surprised when I learnt that the youth were whistling and clapping all through. The finale is different here [no horses, please] and you exit the auditorium with a smile on your face.

Director Punit Malhotra is heavily inspired by Mills & Boon novels and several Bollywood films... love stories all. But like I pointed out earlier, Punit needs to polish his writing skills, although the director in him bails the writer out and takes the film to a different level. The sequences between Imran and Sonam are well penned, but the ones between Sonam and her parents or Sonam and Samir Dattani are half-baked. Directorially, Punit shows super-confidence in moulding the two actors in their respective parts, so much so that you get sucked into Jay and Simran's world after a while.

A love story ought to be embellished with a lilting score - that's a compulsion - and Vishal-Shekhar are in true form this time. The score is trendy, energetic and beyond fantastic and what's more, it's already a rage. In fact, the musical score only takes the movie a step ahead. Ditto for Salim-Sulaiman's background score, which matches the mood to the T. Ayananka Bose's cinematography is awesome. The ace DoP proved his credentials in KITES recently and with I HATE LUV STORYS, he should find himself entrenched in the top bracket. The styling [Manish Malhotra] is top notch.

Imran enacts his part effortlessly. Though the role doesn't demand histrionics, you keep reacting to Imran because of the magnetism he radiates. The devilish streak in his character is sure to appeal to the youth. Besides, Imran has been photographed and presented very well. Sonam is a revelation. From salwars [SAAWARIYA, DELHI 6] to skirts in I HATE LUV STORYS, Sonam finally gets a role that does justice to her as an actress. The ease and class with which she carries off the glam look is fantastic. She's like a whiff of fresh air and you actually wonder, is she the same girl from SAAWARIYA and DELHI 6? In fact, I HATE LUV STORYS will only multiply Imran and Sonam's fan base manifold.

Samir Dattani is decent, although his role gets sidelined as the story moves forward. Samir Soni's character reminds you of a certain hi-profile director and he plays the part extremely well. Kavin Dave, as Imran's buddy, is first-rate and steals the show in several scenes. Aamir Ali is perfect, while Pooja Ghai doesn't get scope to deliver. Bruna Abdullah looks sensuous and adds to the glam quotient. Ketaki Dave [Sonam's mother] is wasted. Anju Mahendru [Imran's mother] is adequate.

On the whole, I HATE LUV STORYS is a young and vibrant love story with tremendous appeal for the yuppies. The fresh pairing and the on-screen electrifying chemistry, the lilting musical score and the magical moments in the film should attract its target audience - the youth - in hordes. If you're young or young at heart, this one's for you!

RATING: 3.5/5

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Salman fan from refused to leave the sets till the star hugged her

One of Salman Khan's female fans landed at the shooting of UTV's Main Aurr Mrs Khanna in Melbourne and refused to leave till he hugged her.

Director Prem Soni recalls the incident, "We were shooting the song Rabba on Flinders Street with Salman and Kareena. It was 2 am and freezing cold. An Indian lady driving past, saw Salman. That was it! She insisted on meeting and hugging him and refused to leave the sets till he did that."

The fan parked herself at the location and said, "If Salman doesn't hug me, I won't go home." The director adds, "Finally, when we packed up around 5.30 am, Salman went up to her and said 'Aapko kya chahiye?'. She said 'hug chahiye'. Salman said 'Lijiye' and hugged her warmly."

Prem adds that the thrilled lady kept on screaming with excitement, "It was sweet of Salman to do that but he has always been warm with all his fans. The woman finally had to be bundled into the car by the unit and sent home. She kept on telling Salman 'God bless you, you're the real superstar and a people's person.' "

Prem says that although they shot in Melbourne in Australia for 90 days, not once did they face any kind of racial discrimination from the locals, "In fact, the people were cordial and warm. One night, a bunch of Australians girls and guys stopped their cars on seeing Salman and Kareena."

He adds, "Apparently, they had seen Salman at Madame Tussauds and found him hot. The girls, who appeared to be drunk, started dancing and thumping on the car bonnets and screaming 'we love you Salman, we love you Kareena,' and continued till both Salman and Bebo waved to them. It was very distracting for the shoot but finally they left after blowing flying kisses at the actors!"

The director hopes that his film does well, as it is about the institution of marriage.

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Chance Pe Dance - First Look

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Main Aurr Mrs Khanna - First Look

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In Pics: Wake Up Sid Press Meet

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In Pics: Kangana Ranaut & Mugdha Godse at Utvatplay.com launch

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Ranbir - Konkona starrer Wake Up Sid to release on Oct 2

Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and UTV Motion Pictures today announced that they are all set to release its film Wake Up Sid on Oct 2, 2009. Wake Up Sid is produced by Karan Johar and distributed worldwide by UTV Motion Pictures.

The film is being directed by debutant Ayaan Mukerji and stars Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. The music of the film has been composed by the celebrated trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

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Karan Johar joins hands with UTV

Surprising many within the industry, director Karan Johar has decided to go ahead with the distribution of his next two movies with UTV Motion Pictures. This deal will give Ronnie Screwvala and his company exclusive worldwide distribution rights for Karan's next two productions.

WHY this has surprised many is because till date Karan has either distributed films himself or gone with Yash Raj Films for the distribution of his films. But this deal with UTV gives the latter theatrical, home video, overseas and satellite distribution rights.

And while the two films - Wake Up Sid and Rensil D’silva’s untitled film – have been handed to UTV for release, interestingly Karan’s own directorial venture My Name is Khan still remains with Johar and Dharma Productions.

Speaking about the deal, Karan says that the deal is a natural choice for him. His (Ronnie Screwvala) passion and sensibility towards understanding a cinema is exceptional and I’m looking forward to working with UTV Motion Pictures,” says Karan, “I’ve known and been in touch with Ronnie for a long time now and I am glad that finally we are getting a chance to work together.”

Wake Up Sid is directed by Ayaan Mukerji and stars Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. Rensil D’silva’s film stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi.

UTV on the other hand is in desperate need of a hit film. While their small budget independent films under their Spotboy Entertainment banner have done reasonably well, barring Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion – which they co-produced – UTV has found it tough to make money at the box office. And therefore it makes business sense for Ronnie to sign up with someone like Karan Johar who is known to rake in the big bucks internationally as well.

“Karan has a brilliant slate of films to his credit. He brings a tremendous entertainment quotient to his films coupled with immense understanding of the pulse of the audience. His films are the most awaited amongst audiences across the country. We are thrilled to start what we hope is the beginning of a long relationship with Dharma Productions,” said UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala on the deal.

Industry insiders are also saying that things are not very good between Yash Raj Films and Shah Rukh Khan. And it is this crack in the infamous SRK-YRF friendship along with rising budgets of Karan’s films that has resulted in Karan walking in the other direction.

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KJo chooses UTV over Yash Raj Films!

Karan Johar has broken Dharma Productions' decades long tradition of distributing their films through Yash Raj Films.

In a shocking development, Karan has sold the rights of his next two films Wake Up Sid and Rensil D'Silva's untitled film to UTV for a whopping Rs60 crores.

Even the distribution rights for the film being directed by Karan, My Name Is Khan, is up for grabs.

KJo has explained his tie-up with the phenomenally successful UTV as a natural result of his relationship with UTV honcho Ronnie Screwvala.

He says, “Our priorities are similar. First cinema, then the business of cinema. We both understand that it's finally about business. UTV has made niche cinema into a mainstream event. Their sense of publicity and marketing is amazing.”

Dharma Productions which, until now, has often worked as a family concern, has off late started to take a more corporate approach to the business of filmmaking.

Karan says, “We've gone more by emotion than practicality. Maybe we need to get more business-like in our dealings. I feel a certain warmth towards Ronnie which, compounded with his business sense, will help us grow.”

Looks like recession is making everyone take a good hard look at the business of creating movies.

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