Writer/Director: Ayan Mukerji
Starring: Rabir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Kalki Koechlin
‘A Captivating Indian Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated as Ranbir Kapoor. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 2000’s, Kapoor has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, rockstars or deaf men facing barriers, Kapoor has proven that he can portray many characters. Kapoor’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He’s proven to be one of those rare actors with the abilities to portray strong characters through charisma alone. Through ability to play characters that are compelling, Kapoor has created an enduring legacy that’s lasting. A legendary figure in Indian Cinema, Kapoor has become one of those rare actors whose name alone attracts audiences to the theatre. Throughout his long-lasting career, Kapoor has created many unforgettable films which are definitely without any doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Ranbir Kapoor and adore all the movies he has made throughout his strong career. However, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Dawaani” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2013, Kapoor’s movie has stood the test of time as a Bollywood classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Indian films ever made. At the centre of the movie is an exceptional performance by Ranbir Kapoor, who embodies a college student falling in love with his childhood sweetheart. Ultimately, what makes “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” an Indian masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about friendships which will resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece capturing romantic relationships, there are several reasons why “Yeh Deewani Hai Jawaani” is a movie that’s definitely worth watching.
“Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” tells the story of a romance between two friends over the course of several years. Ranbir Kapoor portrays Kabir Thapar, a college student with a love for going on adventures. Kabir’s life changes when he falls in love with Naina (Deepika Padukone) on a trekking trip. Naina is an introverted medical student that’s focused on pursuing education. Despite their massive difference in personality, Kabir and Naina immediately fall in love with each other. The pair find themselves unable to stay apart from each other. However, romance comes towards a sudden closure when Kabir embarks on an adventure of his own. As they are torn apart by circumstances beyond their control, Kabir questions whether he would ever be able to reunite with a childhood lover which gave him a goal. Faced with a dilemma, Kabir starts to question whether he would ever find romance in India.
Ayun Mukherji is fascinated with the lives of college students in love. Before he directed “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, Mukerji was a filmmaker known for making movies about romance. His previous movie “Wake Up Sid” provided an engaging glimpse at a college student seeking greater life direction. With “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, however, Ayun created his first romantic drama about the lives of travelling students. It was Mukerji’s attempt to capture barriers of travel which impact romantic relationships between two lovers but he succeeded immensely. Using gorgeous cinematography, Mukerji captures the romance between a pair of lovers that embark on a life-changing journey. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. Mukerji uses montages to capture the strong bonds of a pair of lovers which enjoy embarking upon a journey of travelling. For instance, montages elevate the Ilahi musical scene. During this unforgettable scene, Kabir embarks upon an adventure of travel across the country. One admires montages capturing powerful bonds between a pair of lovers that spend valuable time together. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Na Ho” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood movies about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Mukerji captures the hardships Indian lovers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” worth discussing is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Mukerji expertly stages musical sequences capturing the strong bonds among a pair of friends with love of travelling. In Bollywood, most movies are often driven by mindless musical sequences without meaning. Musical sequences often serve as a distraction from storytelling. Fortunately, however, that is not the case with “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”. Mukerji uses powerful dance choreography to construct commemorated musical sequences. For instance, the dance choreography elevates the Balam Pichkari musical sequence. During this unforgettable scene, Kabir bonds with his friends through engaging in a Holi celebration. One appreciates dance choreography creating musical sequences that capture strong bonds between friends. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Pritam’s music is integral to the success of the movie. It gives the film a joyous atmosphere capturing bonds between friends. Through phenomenal production-design, Ayun Mukerji captures the strong bonds between a pair of friends that shine.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” is a captivating Indian classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture strong bonds between friends which fall in love with each other. Mukerji’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is capturing the broken bonds between lovers through silence. In Bollywood, majority of films commonly rely on dialogue merely as a way to explain events in stories. Thankfully, however, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” avoids the pitfalls of the genre. Throughout the film, Mukerji uses silence to capture the tensions faced by lovers torn apart by circumstances which are beyond their control. For instance, the silence elevates the breakup scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Kabir and Naina part ways embarking on their own different paths of adventure. One admires silence capturing tensions between a pair of lovers torn apart by circumstances that are beyond their control. Silence is a technique that’s tricky to use in Indian movies. As Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” proved, scenes of silence often elevate commemorated movies about intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Mukerji captures the commemorated bonds between lovers which are torn apart facing a painful price to pay.
One admired astonishing performances.
Ranbir Kapoor delivers one of his best career performances as Kabir. Kapoor first achieved appreciation for playing conflicted rockstars in bold dramas. With “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to play a man torn apart from lovers by barriers but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable career role. It’s a role that gave Kapoor the chance to showcase his natural charisma as an icon in Bollywood Cinema. With marvellous expressions, Kapoor captures the angst, desperation and grief of a man torn apart from friends by his dreams of travel. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the greatest actors that’s currently working in Bollywood today.
Deepika Padukone is phenomenal as a woman that endures a dilemma when she falls in love with a man that travels in India. While Kapoor gets a showier role, Padukone is also excellent as a conflicted woman whose close friendships spiral out of control. Padukone has always been one of those actresses with an aptitude for communicating strong emotions by body language, and “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” gave her a chance to showcase her strengths. Whether she’s cheerfully flirting with Kabir on a travelling trip or feeling awkward at social events, Padukone effectively uses her larger-than-life body language to create a character that’s compelling. It’s a commemorated performance from one of the greatest Indian actresses today.
Lastly, Aditya Roy Kapur merits appreciation. As a friend experiencing a wedding, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of lovers facing adversity. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses relatable themes everyone would relate to. The film tackles strong themes of identity, friendship and destiny which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be Indian in identity to appreciate the movie. It delivers a universal message about friendships that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” is one of the rare Bollywood movies that everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Ranbir Kapoor will definitely enjoy “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. A mesmerizing romantic masterpiece, it celebrates an Indian actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about lovers whose romantic relationships torn apart by barriers of travel which are challenging, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about a legendary actor that has gained a massive fan following through his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters with personalities that are compelling in movies that are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 