Writer/Director: Ayan Mukerji
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Aditya Roy Kapur
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Bollywood are as beloved as Deepika Padukone. Ever since her rise towards stardom in the 2000’s, Padukone has become one of the best actresses in the Indian industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, teenagers or women facing marriage disaster, Padukone has proven that she has the ability to portray many bold characters. Padukone’s finest strength as an actress is versatility. Through strong ability to portray characters in a variety of genres, Padukone has proven to be an iconic actress in India. She is one of those actresses that has the ability to command every scene through her strong presence. An actress with undeniable charisma, Padukone has become an icon in India. Throughout her career, Padukone has produced several unforgettable movies that are certainly worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Padukone and adore films she has made in her career. However, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” definitely stands out as her most meaningful movie. Released in 2013, Ayan Mukerji’s movie offered a strong portrait of friends on trekking trips. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an engaging Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Deepika Padukone, who plays a woman seeking romantic relationships on a trekking trip. Although “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” is a captivating Bollywood romantic drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to a predictable ending that lacks resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which would satisfy fans of Deepika Padukone.
“Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” tells the story of two friends that fall in love on a trekking trip. Deepika Padukone portrays Naina Talwar, a career-oriented woman that seeks success in the profession of medicine. Naina always focuses on her career leaving little time for a romantic affair. However, Naina’s life forever changes when she falls in love on a trekking adventure. Kabir (Ranbir Kapoor) is a larger than life photographer that gives Naina new perspectives on the world. Naina and Kabir form a strong bond on a trekking trip where they share love for adventure. As her career becomes a top priority, Naina questions her ability to pursue romantic relationships that face adversity.
Ayan Mukerji has always been fascinated by the coming-of-age genre. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Mukerji has often made engaging films about lovers facing disaster. His iconic film “Wake up Sid” offered a strong portrait of college students seeking to discover their identities. With “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, however, Mukerji made his first trekking film. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the lives of lovers on trekking trips that face adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Mukerji captures a woman embarking on a trekking journey. Emulating Nick Cassavetes’ “The Notebook”, Mukerji uses montages to capture friends falling in love. For instance, montages elevate the trip scene. During this memorable scene, Kabir and Naina bond together on a trekking trip adventure. Using montages, Mukerji crafts a portrayal of romantic relationships which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Farah Khan’s “Om Shanti Om” claimed, montages elevate Bollywood movies about reincarnation. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through strong visuals, Mukerji captures the tension that lovers on trekking trips are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it is one of the most engaging Bollywood films you will ever see. Mukerji successfully uses costumes to create musical sequences that are engaging. Throughout the film, Kabir’s costumes showcase his transformation into a bachelor seeking romance. For instance, the costumes enhance the Badtameez Dil song. During this unforgettable song, Kabir and Naina have an emotional reunion at a wedding after several years of separation. Using stunning costumes, Mukerji creates music sequences that prove to be engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that lovers in a trekking trip bear. Through bold production, Mukerji captures lives of lovers on a trekking vacation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” is a Bollywood movie that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the lives of lovers on trekking trips. Inspired with Roger Michell’s “Notting Hill”, Mukerji uses monologues to capture lovers which have dreams to fulfill. For instance, monologues elevate the love confessions scene. During this captivating scene, Bunny confesses his love for Naina before New Year’s Eve. Through engaging monologues, Mukerji creates a portrait of romance which audiences easily relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Shoojit Sircar’s “Piku” proved, monologues elevate Bollywood films about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Mukerji captures lovers which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Deepika Padukone delivers one of her best career performances as Naina. Padukone earned appreciation for playing heroines in Bollywood comedies. With “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, however, she took upon her most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a woman that falls in love during trekking trips but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve seen her before: charismatic, funny and emotional in her most romantic role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and resentments faced by a woman falling in love during a trekking vacation. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actresses that is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Deepika Padukone, the supporting cast is also amazing. Ranbir Kapoor is riveting, capturing a charismatic nature of a young photographer that falls in love on a trekking adventure. Kalki Koechlin is captivating, and brings out charming personality of a woman that strives to prepare for weddings with a great responsibility. Lastly, Aditya Roy Kapur merits appreciations. As Naina’s childhood friend, he is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” can’t capture romantic relationships with reality. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s a predictable end that fails to bring the film towards a strong resolution. Whereas this ending enhanced Imtiaz Ali’s “Love Aaj Kal”, it clashes with a tone of this movie. Bollywood romantic films thrive based on their conclusions, and in this way “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” falls short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of Deepika Padukone will admire “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” and so will audiences seeking bold entertainment. A riveting Indian romantic drama, it honours an actress that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood romantic film about a pair of friends embarking upon a trekking adventure, it’s a bold reminder of an astonishing actress with charismatic nature that has created a lasting legacy through her abilities to portray compelling heroines in memorable movies audiences treasure.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 