Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Plot Summary: A bunch of rich kids have spent five years hanging out together. They drive around in fancy cars. Lead responsibility free lives. One of them is a poor boy – we know that because he said he cannot afford a cell phone and only has a land line. He is in love with the rich girl. Everyone knows that they are in love with each other, except the “each other” in question. Will they get to know that they have always been in love is the big question being answered in the film.
So the story is hugely predictable. The ending is even more so – what with the hero riding out on horseback. I had a feeling it was the same horse that a dozen other films have used because he just knew his paces so well. Sohail and Arbaaz ham it out endlessly because it is a funny movie and you haven’t laughed yet. That sums up what I did not like about the film – the story and a very cliched plotline with a predictable ending.
The last time somebody called Imran Khan caught the imagination of the gals was a long time ago. After the Pakistani cricketer, we now have his namesake make his debut in this film. Aamir Khan has been promoting his nephew all over television and rightly so.  Imran Khan puts up a measured performance and certainly proves that he is ready to take on more challenging roles. Check out this video from Imran-Khan’s Youtube account. He already has the screaming college girls cheering for him when he comes on the screen. His lack of star mannerisms off screen adds to his boy-next-door image. He surely does Maamu Aamir proud of his thespian talent. So that is one more Khan added to Bollywood.

Genelia D’Souza is the one to watch out for in this film. Genelia made her debut in 2003 in the Tamil film Boys பாய்ஸ் where she was billed as Harini. Her debut in Hindi films also happened in the same year with the forgettable Tujhe Meri Kasam. She is a veteran of more than 15 films – largely Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.  She won the Filmfare award in 2006 and then in 2007 for her Telugu films  Bommarillu and   Dhee. In JTYJN she plays the role of Aditi. She clearly emerges as the stronger of the two leads. Yet in most TV interviews she is happy to giggle hopelessly and direct the limelight towards Imran Khan.

The urban setting and its characters lends itself to some interesting musical compositions. AR Rahman puts in two awesome tracks Kabhi Kabhi Aditi कभी कभी अदिति sung by Rashid Ali ( I loved this guy’s voice) and then of course Pappu Can’t Dance Saala sung by Rapper Blaze, Naresh Dayal, Satish, Aslam, Tanvi and Bhargavi. Refreshing lyrics by Abbas Tyrewala who also scripted and directed this film. Rahman has sung a track ‘Tu Bole Main Boloon’ which is kind of average by Rahman standards.

Overall rating: ** out of *****

PS: Head to head with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’s release was the launch of Harman Baweja-Priyanka Chopra starrer called Love Story 2050. Daddy Harry Baweja spent a couple of million producing this one (I meant the film and not the actor). Don’t rush to the theater yet. Wait for the year 2050 to see that dud.

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