Director: Kunal Kohli
Starring: Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji and Hrithik Roshan
‘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, “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” definitely stands out as her most underrated movie. Released in 2002, Kunal Kohli’s film offered a strong portrait of friendships. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood romantic comedy. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Kareena Kapoor, who embodies a woman that falls in love with a childhood companion. Although “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” is a strong romantic comedy, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to a predictable conclusion without a satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that will definitely satisfy fans of Kareena Kapoor.
“Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” tells the story of an Indian man that falls in love with childhood friends causing adversity. Kareena Kapoor portrays Tina, a young woman that yearns finding love in India. Tina has always had a lifelong affection for childhood sweetheart Raj (Hrithik Roshan), whom she loves dearly. However, Tina’s life forever changes when she discovers Raj has found another lover. Pooja (Rani Mukerji) is an attractive woman that has always been a childhood friend of Raj. Competing for the affections of a man whom they love dearly, Tina and Pooja are stuck in a tricky situation. Facing a serious dilemma, Tina wonders whether she would ever find love in India.
Kunal Kohli is a newcomer towards themes of friendship. Before he had made “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!”, Kohli had never made a film about friendships. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture friendships enduring adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Kohli captures friendships between a pair of lovers facing adversities. Emulating Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai”, Kohli effectively uses montages to capture friends that bond in every way. For instance, the montages elevate the friendships scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tina forms a powerful bond with Raj spending valuable time on vacation together. Using montages, Kohli creates a portrait of friendships that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Rajkumar Hirani’s “3 Idiots” proved, most montages elevate Bollywood movies about college students. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using engaging visuals, Kohli captures the bonds among a pair of friends that are lasting.
Another admirable aspect of “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical point-of-view, it’s one of the best Bollywood romantic films you will ever see. Kohli effectively employs cross-cutting to stage musical sequences involving friendships that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Jaane Dil Mein song. During this memorable song, Raj expresses his dilemma of being love with two women through a melody. Using cross-cutting, Kohli constructs musical sequences that are engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that friends bear. Through stunning production, Kohli captures friends that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” is a Bollywood film about friendships that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and expertly uses dramatic monologues to capture friendships that evolve over time. Throughout the film, Raj’s monologues showcase his association with close friends which he loves dearly. For instance, monologues elevate the farewells scene. During this unforgettable scene, Raj gives an emotional monologue showcasing his strong friendships with two women that he loves dearly. Through monologues, Kohli creates a portrait of friendships audiences can relate to. Monologues are complicated techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages enhance Bollywood movies about broken families. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a brilliant screenplay, Kohli captures friends facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kareena Kapoor delivers one of her finest career performances as Tina. Kapoor first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in Bollywood. With “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a woman that seeks the love of a childhood sweetheart, but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in past: intense, charming and emotional in her most charismatic role. With captivating expressions, she captures the ambitions, bravery and frustrations faced by a woman seeking her childhood companions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actresses that’s currently working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Kareena Kapoor, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Hrithik Roshan is remarkable, capturing the tension experienced by an Indian man torn between his love for childhood companions. Rani Mukerji is magnificent, capturing the fierce personality of a woman that struggles to gain the affections of a childhood friend she loves dearly. Lastly, Satish Shah merits appreciations. As Pooja’s father, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” can’t quite convey romantic relationships realistically. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that fails to bring the movie to a neat resolution. Whereas this predictable ending elevated Imtiaz Ali’s “Jab We Met”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. At worst, it perpetuates false stereotypes about friendships that are not true to reality. Therefore, “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” Is one of those Bollywood movies not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Kareena Kapoor will enjoy “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” and so will audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood romantic comedy, it honours an Indian actress with a lasting legacy.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a Bollywood movie about a pair of childhood friends that face despair, it’s a compelling reminder of an actress that has established a successful career through her abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences have always held dear.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 