Writer/Director: Imtiaz Ali
Starring: Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and Tarun Arora
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in India are as beloved as Kareena Kapoor. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Kapoor has become an icon in Bollywood. Whether it is romantic heroines, rebellious teenagers or prostitute hookers, Kapoor has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Kapoor’s strength as an actress has always been her charismatic presence. She is one of those rare actresses that has always elevated every film she has made through her powerful presence. Even when she isn’t the main focus of a film, she is one of those rare actresses that has often left a strong impression. An actress that has achieved great success, Kapoor has always been dressed to impress. Throughout a bold career, Kapoor has made many memorable films which are worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Kapoor and adore all the movies which she has made in her career. However, “Jab We Met” stands out as her most meaningful movie. Released in 2007, Imtiaz Ali’s romantic comedy offered a bold portrait of train lovers. Packed with strong musical sequences, compelling storytelling and fantastic acting, it’s an extraordinary Bollywood romantic comedy. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Kareena Kapoor, who embodies a woman falling in love on train rides. Ultimately, what makes “Jab We Met” a romantic classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most romantic comedies made in Bollywood, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. A captivating Bollywood romance drama, there are many strong reasons why “Jab We Met” is worth watching.
“Jab We Met” tells a story of a pair of lovers that form a connection on trains where they have met. Kareena Kapoor portrays Geet, a carefree woman with strong devotion to her Sikh family. Geet has always had a love for embarking on adventures. However, Geet’s life forever changes when she falls in love on a train adventure. Aditya Kashyap (Shahid Kapoor) is a depressed businessman that has given up on pursuing dreams until he meets Geet. Despite their big differences in personality, Geet and Aditya form a strong connection. As they embark on a long train adventure, the two lovers find their lives are changed forever.
Imtiaz Ali has always been fascinated with the romance genre. A fantastic filmmaker, Ali has often made engaging movies about lovers which embark on an adventure. His iconic movie “Socha Na Tha” captured the unlikely bond between a pair lovers refusing arranged marriages in India. With “Jab We Met”, however, however, Ali created his first ever travel drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture lovers on train adventure but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Ali captures lovers which bond on a train adventure. Recalling Aditya Chopra’s “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, Ali uses montages to capture lovers embarking on big train rides across India. For instance, montages elevate the train meetings scene. During this unforgettable scene, Geet and Aditya meet for the first time on trains where they form a powerful connection. Montages are complex techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” demonstrated, montages elevate Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Ali captures the tensions that lovers on train rides are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Jab We Met” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood movies you will ever see. Ali expertly uses locations across Northern India to create music sequences which are engaging. For instance, Northern Indian locations enhance the Yeh Ishq Hai song. During this memorable scene, Geet and Aditya bond together by exploring an ancient site in Manali. Using breathtaking northern Indian locations, Ali constructs a portrait of love that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Pritam’s score contributes to the success of the film. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the burden that train lovers bear. Using captivating production, Ali captures trains facing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Jab We Met” is a Bollywood romantic film that’s compelling. The film is exceptionally well written, and effectively uses silence to capture the bond between lovers torn apart by fate. Evoking Rob Reiner’s “When Harry Met Sally”, Ali successfully uses silences to capture the reunions between lovers over a course of many years. For instance, silence elevates the reunion meeting scene. During this heartfelt scene, Aditya and Geet bond in silence when they meet following several years of separations. Through silence, Ali created a portrait of love which audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique. As Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Omkara” suggested, silence enhances Bollywood Shakespeare adaptations. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Ali captures lovers that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kareena Kapoor delivers one of his finest performances as Geet. Kapoor achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Jab We Met”, however, the actress took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a woman seeking to embark upon train adventures in India but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and funny in her most iconic role. With bold expressions, she captures the angst, grief and rebellious spirit of a woman seeking train adventures. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actresses that is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Kareena Kapoor, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Shahid Kapoor is spectacular, capturing charming nature of a businessman seeking to embark on train adventures. Tarun Arora is terrific, capturing the tragic hardships faced by an Indian man stuck in a relationship which is catastrophic. Lastly, Dara Sigh is worthy of appreciations. As Greg’s grandfather, he brings wisdom to the movie.
Finally, “Jab We Met” will earn recognition of everyone for capturing trains where lovers have met. Unlike most Bollywood romantic dramas, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes of ambition, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian cultures to appreciate it. Therefore, “Jab We Met” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Kareena Kapoor will definitely enjoy “Jab We Met” and so would audiences that seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates an actress that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood romantic film about lovers that bond together on a train, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has managed to gain a huge fan following through her abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable films throughout her career which have never lost abilities to entertain.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 