Movie Review: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is Worth a Watch


Movie Review: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - of Life, Love and Letting Go

by Anitha S
Daijiworld Media Network - Entertainment

Mangalore, Jul 15: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is one of those movies that do not depend on high drama or fast-paced action for their success. Its strength lies in its smooth flow and the simple yet compelling narrative.

The beauty of the film is that it shows you how to live, or how you ought to live your life, without forcing its mantra on you.

Dil Chahta Hai, 3 Idiots and now Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The formula of male bonding between three friends works once again, and splendidly so.

Zoya Akhter’s directorial venture is far more than a tourism advertisement for Spain as some purported it be. Yes, it is a journey through mind-blowing locations and awesome adventures, but it is also a journey through life. It’s about conquering one’s fears, confronting one’s past and letting go of all inhibitions. The movie is about what Katrina Kaif says – seize the day, or carpe diem.

The Plot

Three old friends, Arjun (Hrithik Roshan), Imran (Farhan Akhter) and Kabir (Abhay Deol) decide to go on Kabir’s bachelor road trip to Spain, as per a pact they had made long ago. Arjun, a successful financial broker is the reserved one, totally engrossed in his work, who needs some cajoling (though not much) and a thumbs-down from his girlfriend to make him join the trip. Imran, a copywriter, is the happy-go-lucky sort who loves to fool around. Yet, he too has a serious side to him, which gets unravelled through the course of the narrative. Kabir is a ‘catalyst’, a cross-section of fun and seriousness, often playing the mediator between Arjun and Imran. One can’t help but be reminded of Saif Ali Khan’s role in Dil Chahta, who played the mediator to bring together the other two friends.

The pact that they made years ago requires each to go on an adventure which the other two must also take on. The adventure itself is a last moment surprise, so there’s no question of backing out. The scene shifts to Spain, where the friction between Arjun and Imran is palpable straight away, over some past girlfriend troubles. They even come to blows at one point of time, but as the movie progresses, the two iron out their differences and rediscover their friendship. Enter Katrina Kaif, the lovely deep-sea diving instructor, who teaches lessons in life to Arjun and brings him out of his inhibitions. Arjun’s transformation from a money-making, serious-minded financier to a fun-loving adventurous dude has been handled with great poise by Hrithik.

Interspersed with the main narrative are the stories of each of the three friends, mainly Kabir and Imran. Kabir’s fiancée Natasha (Kalki Koechlin), an interior designer, is too possessive of Kabir, and bugs him constantly with marriage plans which scares and troubles him. The ‘chudel alert’ issued by Farhan Akhter at her arrival is a riot, so also the way he calls her ‘sweet’ at the insistence of Kabir. Kalki, though she doesn’t have much to do except complain, has played her role well.

Imran is battling problems of his own, and his inward journey and subsequent confrontation with the past is beautifully brought out through Javed Akhter’s poetry, read by Farhan himself. Farhan does a marvellous job, balancing the scales between a prankster and a troubled individual. He is in fact outstanding, and it would not be an exaggeration to say he is the backbone of the movie, and one ought to watch it simply to see him break into fits of laughter.


The Movie

The movie flows on smoothly, with some excellent camera work by Carlos Catalan and screenplay by Zoya Akhter and Reema Kagti. The three main adventures have been captured well, but one wishes they could have been a wee bit longer. Also, though it is about the three men conquering their fears, they do not really seem to be that scared before the adventure, except perhaps Imran who has to be literally pushed off the plane. There are some drag moments which could have been avoided, and by the time it’s intermission you wonder when they would be embarking on the remaining two adventures. You actually start getting restless.

The pranks are somewhat juvenile and repetitive, but enjoyable nevertheless. The dialogues are witty, and here a special mention has to be made of ‘Bagvati’, care of Imran. ‘She’ is a bag costing 12,000 euros, a gift for Natasha by Kabir, and throughout Imran looks after ‘her’ with all his attention. The idea reminds one of Amy Adams’ ‘Louis’ (Louis Vuitton bag) in ‘Leap Year,’ though in ZNMD it is exaggerated but never over the top.

Zoya Akhter has made good use of Spain’s best adventure sports – from deep-sea diving to getting chased by bulls, Spain is covered from corner to corner. Not even its skies are left alone. The movie is definitely a visual treat.


Performances

Hrithik Roshan and Abhay Deol are excellent. Katrina doesn’t have much to do, and though she is projected as a fun-loving girl who lives every moment, she could have been a little more open and outgoing. Smiling and dishing out lessons on life is about the only things she does.

The chemistry between the three friends works like magic, and their easy conversations, their pranks on each other and even moments of sober understanding makes you relate with them. Even moments of silence speak a lot.

Naseeruddin Shah in his guest appearance is a class act as usual.


The Verdict

The one thing that stands apart and which really endears you to ZNMD is that it is honest. The characters are spontaneous and natural. No melodrama, no dragging emotional scenes, and most of the songs are blended into the narrative. ZNMD is as fresh as it can get.

In short, there is never a dull moment. Go watch ZNMD, it’s worth every rupee. 

  

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Comment on this article

  • tamojit, howrah

    Sun, Nov 20 2011

    now a days it is really hard to get this type of friend.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Khuzafa, Pakistan

    Thu, Sep 22 2011

    Hay guys! I just finished watching ZNMD and I wonder what people have been telling and what else this movie is. First of all very good acting, nice music. excellent n super fine direction and story...well i have so much to say about this..if you are looking for some message-filled sensual type movie you have to explore ZNMD..if you love art movies you will find so much of your type...but yes somehow Rethak Vs Katrina chemistry is a bit weak side but believe me its not going to bother you much because its not the side that you will focus lot watching movie..no such type of romance but movie is OK even without it..and being a bit personal i loved the locations and events shown in Spain because I really want to explore Spain someday "(n i will Inshalla).. Summing Up ..Its a great movie and Hay if you are University fellows or hostel chum group..make ZNMD planned for weekend.. I swear you will have a great time...From my side a definite 9.5/10.....

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  • saurabh, mumbai

    Tue, Jul 26 2011

    wow..superbbbbbbbbbbbbb ZNMD. Hrithik roshan get full marks. Dont miss as zindagi na milegi dobara. after big B its only hrithik the next superstar of the millenium. but singham definitely put effect on ZNMD collection as singham will surely be all time blockbuster.

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  • inayat, silvassa

    Sun, Jul 24 2011

    mujhe movie dekh na hai bahut aachi hai hrithik is cool and kat so cool i like it movie zindagi na milegi dobara very nice movie

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  • Janet Lobo, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Sat, Jul 23 2011

    Its worth watching. I loved the movie..... "Senorita" song was super.

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  • dev, mumbai

    Fri, Jul 22 2011

    boring movie.... i was wishing to watch something like DCH but It's just a copied mix-up from various other movies/series..waste of time...the bonding among the 3 filthy rich friends on trip to Spain seemed plastic.....Nothing new about the story and it's quite dragging...just some good looking actors and scenic Spanish back doesn't make a good movie...Farhan Akhtar has outdone himself in terms of overacting and annoying clichéd dialogs... If i wanna watch a good Indian Road trip movie I want it to be shot in India..The things I like about this movie is cinematography, spain and good music..

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • avk1112, ahmedabad

    Thu, Jul 21 2011

    i totally agree with u Riyaz

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Soumyajit Majumder, Kolkata

    Thu, Jul 21 2011

    Fantastic movie...
    must watch it...
    best movie of the year...
    Hrithik is just awesome...

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  • Rahul singh, Jamshedpur

    Wed, Jul 20 2011

    Fantastic m0vie....must watch.....I m big big fan of Hrithik.

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  • zara, Mangalore

    Wed, Jul 20 2011

    Awesome movie...farhan aktar u ROCK !!!!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Janet Xavier, Dubai

    Tue, Jul 19 2011

    ZNMD is truly worth a watch. A very refreshing movie and a treat to watch. Everyone acted very well and sang well too. Hats off to Zoya!

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  • Chammi Mangalore, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 19 2011

    Its a awsomme movie ....nd u Farhan totally deffrent in ths movie .....I like ur acting and movies its fantastic ...no words 2 say Zoya

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  • Salome, Mumbai/UAE

    Mon, Jul 18 2011

    Movie was great.Who says its boring, worthless to watch, whats dragging in it. Worth watching Yehi ko kehte hai ZNMD.

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  • Clitus Tauro, Mumbai/Qatar

    Mon, Jul 18 2011

    Here some of the movie viewers commented waste of money...boring movie....i think people after watching Delhi Belly Silly movies lost their taste of fun movies like this.....UFF

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hisham Ahmed, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 17 2011

    Zindagi zaroor milegi dobara, if you believe there is apermanant life after death.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • JOHN, ABU DHABI

    Sun, Jul 17 2011

    waste of money...boring...dragging...only one song in this movie..i was waiting when it will be wound up

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  • shabbir, mangalore

    Sun, Jul 17 2011

    Riyaz mangalore, the way u told "zoya cannot direct and hrithik cannot act anymore" gives the feeling that u r running the film industry...  Hritik is 1 of the best actor in bollywood, a real masterpiece.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Munna, Bangaluru

    Sat, Jul 16 2011

    very boaring story.worthless to watch.

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  • Sushma M Shetty, Dubai..Mumbai

    Sat, Jul 16 2011

    What are you people BLIND? This movie was a BIGGGGGG disappointment... I culdnt wait for the movie to get over.. just DRAGGING!

    The only saving grace was the back 'Spain'.. but even thatz not worth 3 hours of torture...


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  • nelson, mangalore/kuwait

    Sat, Jul 16 2011

    80% here say it is good, so i will watch it. Daiji should now start Movie reviews on just released Hindi and Kannada movies. Movie buffs will like it.

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  • Steven Nazreth, UAE/Udupi

    Sat, Jul 16 2011

    ZNMD Superb Movie... must watch!!!!!!!!!!

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  • shanawaz, mlore/Qatar

    Sat, Jul 16 2011

    superb movie worth watching......

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  • hri, alld

    Sat, Jul 16 2011

    its fantastic movie..if u dont like this movie,i have no words for u..hrithik awsum..and 1st time this type of movie in bollywood..go watch enjoy..

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  • Clitus Tauro, Mumbai/Qatar

    Sat, Jul 16 2011

    Its a wonderful, brilliant, clean and neat comedy....must watch movie...after long years (i must say after 3 idiots) this movie is goint to rock all over the world and sure make records......Hats of to all the characters....Those who cant understand ..i must say better not to comment...MUST WATCH MOVIE

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  • ashish, jaipur

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    u r right ..it worst movie that i have ever seen

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  • arif bava, kaup Abu dhabi

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Good work from Daiji for you movie review in your column, please keep on posting every movies review (next week Singham of Ajay Devagan, Bodyguard of salman Khan, etc.) it may help us choice our own movie to watch at theater

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  • Shivanand Shetty, Mangalore/Bangalore/USA

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    It's worth watching the movie only once.

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  • Salim, Udupi

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    fantastic movie, great job by all of them, spain is awesome place.

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  • Swagat, Indore

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Watch out for hrithik,he has no match in this industry.He is the GREEK GOD(by looks)

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  • jacobnelson, mumbaai

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    offcourse better than "DIL DEKE DEKO".........

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  • venus lenka, mumbai

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    great to watch wid frns. spclly Farhan's acting is awesome. Hritik is as usual superb.Must watch movies for frns who fight for one girl......

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  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Better than Dil chahatha hai.
    Must watch this movie.....superb.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Louis D'Souza, Udupi/Kuwait

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Just I want to watch Katrina, Movie is good or bad who cares?

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ranjan, kolkata

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    The movie is Awesome.Those who didn't like the movie i feel pity for them.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sarang, abad

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    fantastic movie..
    must watch it..
    best movie of the year..
    hrithik is just awesome..3boys are just the best all over the movie!!!!!

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  • Rajneesh , Mangalore/Doha

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    sanjeev kumar, Bangalore,Amit raj, Kota.. Dont show ur communal colors at least on movies or actors. God should show u guys the right path..

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  • Amit raj, Kota

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    U r rght bro. . . ,

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • sanjeev kumar, Bangalore

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    its a wonderful movie..liked it..better than useless khans movie....

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Lancelot N. Tauro, Manglore - Doha Qatar

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    It's awesome, mindblowing, good entertainment, nice pic. Zindagi na mile dubara... so sad to know some people could understand to get the taste of the movie.

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  • Prem, Delhi

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    movie is not a worth watching.. i did not like the movie
    It looks like they are only promoting Spain... and i have also noticed the lack of coordination..acting is also lacking...complete wastage of money

    DisAgree [2] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajani Rai, shillong

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    I like d movie n its worth watching. its different from the others, should watch..

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  • bablu, vizag

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    awesome movie ..........really superbb....yes it’s worth every rupee....

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Reshma N Shetty, karkala

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Very Nice Movie!!!

    watched an beautifull movie after a long time!!!

    The Film has been shot in spain & the background is awesome.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nishith Shetty, sujeer/uae

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Zindagi Na Milega Doobara is an Unique Movie shot very Nicely in Spain.
    we wanted to watch it on the first dayitsel and were lucky enough to get the ticket for the last show on Thursday... Total Paisa Wasool!!!

    It Bonds our Past College Days Love,Life and Freindship.

    i am definitely sure if anyone critizizes this Movie then he might not had the Taste of Love,life and freindship in their Teenage.

    Hats off to Zoya ,Hrithik -Katrina,abhay and Farhan.

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  • dalip, gzb

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    nothing to watch in this movie

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  • Mama, Bhubaneswar

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    I think some people doesn't like the movie.but i think they don't want to accept the truth or they don't like hrithik,katrina,farhan or any other star of this movie.no problem.its their choice.but really it is a fantastic movie,with superb acting of the stars,fabulous music,excellent script and direction etc.etc.i want to convey a msg to all the people who doesn't like the film-"REMIND THAT,IT HAS GOT 4 STARS OUT OF 5".its a fadu,total paisa wasul movie.don't miss it.aisi movie milegi na dobara.

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  • telugucolours, hyderabad

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Very Nice Film , Gud Review

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • sanket, hyderabad

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    utter flop , if u waych this movie u will never get back your life , the film title itself suggest

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  • Roy , Mumbai

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Mr.Riyaz,Mangalore. you are discussing about the acting and declaring movie as the disaster, while you cant even post your own comments! if you have to admit the truth then have you not directly cut paste someone elses comments from rediff forum? grow up!

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  • Aparajita Kohli, delhi

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    i loved the movie...i do follow alot of serious and dark humor movies...bt its actually a treat to watch..its full of life..go watch it

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  • Aadil Khan, Kasaragod/Saudi Arabia

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    I would certainly go and watch this movie in the theater assuming the movie should be a family oriented as the title sounds and on the strength of the star cast and Ms. Anita's comments. Mr. Riyaz and Mr. Rajneesh, the movie got 4 out 5 stars.

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  • mahendra shetty, mumbai,dubai

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Its a total bakwaas movie i ever saw.....total 3 hrs torture.....i hate this movie.....i surprised media review

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  • Riyaz, Mangalore

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    such a disaster.the only gud element is nazzeruddin shah ...u suudenly feel like kids r acting in the movie whn u see him .....zoya cannot direct hrithik cannot act anymore

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  • Rajneesh , Mangalore/Doha

    Fri, Jul 15 2011

    Its is a Total Bakwaas Movie. I dont know how it is a Treat...Worst movie in the whole world.

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