MOVIE REVIEW: Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai

Love stories seem to be the fav genre of dream merchants here. I've a hunch, if we ever do a count of romantic films made in Bollywood, it would easily score over other genres. The question is, how innovative can a love story get in today's times? Milap Zaveri provides the answer: Man from Earth, woman from Venus.

Having penned some likable comic capers in the past [MASTI, HEYY BABYY], Milap's directorial debut JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI has liberal doses of light moments dominating the first half of the film and heartache and reunion following soon after, in its post-interval portions.

JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI works for its light moments mainly. It's bizarre to think of a love story between a human and an alien, but Milap garnishes it well with assorted characters, sets the story in the film industry and has several laugh-inducing moments. Resultantly, the first half is paisa vasool in filmi lingo.

But the problem arises when the focus shifts to the prem kahani in its second half. For, the story follows the trodden path [it becomes a love triangle] and embarks on the same old route that all love stories usually embark upon. If Milap had the courage to think out of the box, he should've ensured that the film remained true to its essence. Why didn't he think of an equally wacky second hour?

Notwithstanding its predictable second half, JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI is a decent watch that provides ample laughs.

JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI is the story of Rajesh [Riteish Deshmukh], a simple Gujarati boy who's been looking for love since he was a baby. Thoroughly unsuccessful in his endeavours, he nearly gives up till he meets Natasha [Sonal Sehgal].

Desh [Ruslaan Mumtaz] is the youngest superstar in the country. Mothers want to adopt him and their daughters want to marry him. But when will he find the girl of his dreams? Their worlds turn upside down when Tara [Jacqueline Fernandez], an alien from Venus, lands on Earth in the search of true love.

Milap tickles your funny bone at the very outset. The story of a loser, his search for true love, his 'naughty' father, his 'oversexed' friend and his experiences at his work place [on a film set] bring a constant smile on your face. In fact, one of the key factors why the first half works is because the casting is just right and the actors carry off the assigned roles so well.

But the second half fumbles because the story gets very old-fashioned. If the alien could travel all the way to earth to find love, why couldn't she profess love to the man she loves the most? Why develop human emotions all of a sudden?

This is Milap's directorial debut and he clearly shows a flair for comic entertainers. Sajid-Wajid's music is pleasant, with the title track standing out. Attar Singh Saini's cinematography is perfect.

Riteish enacts his part efficiently. That he's at home in comedy is well-known by now, but the actor is equally at ease in emotional moments and also romantic sequences. Jacqueline is easy on the eyes. In fact, she seems more comfortable this time. Vishal Malhotra is superb and contributes enormously in making the proceedings lively. Ruslaan carries the teen heart-throb look very well. Sonal Sehgal is competent.

Farah Khan is a complete natural. Satish Shah is excellent. Supriya Pilgaonkar does well too. Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Sajid Khan and Amrita Rao make special appearances in the film.

On the whole, JAANE KAHAN SE AAYI HAI is a light-hearted entertainer targeted at the youth. It has a thoroughly entertaining first half, but a routine second half. A decent watch!

RATING: 2.5/5