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Review - Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani: : Not unusual or amazing, just a few sparks

Quick Review

A rom-com that is half-baked comedy and a quarter-baked romance. Does that make it a well-baked film? Unfortunately that's not how the math works. It stays an under-cooked pot that makes you laugh here and there and doesn't get you engaged in its emotion
[Poster for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani]

The on-screen activity had the entire theater in splits! People around me couldn't stop laughing their guts out. So funny did they find the jokes and situations that the gags kept them happy through the unnecessary emotional scenes too. No-no, the audience was chuckling with the characters, not at them. I - well I didn't see the humor through most of the film. Somehow - hit-the-crotch, eunuchs-exist-that's-so-funny, Draupadi-like-undrape-Sari, people-falling-off-stairs, slapping-each-other, modified-cake-fights - don't even make me smile, smirk maybe, but nowhere near the grin-region. However, when I laughed at the other jokes, I laughed real hard.

I don't understand what's so weird or whacky about Prem (Ranbir Kapoor) or about his style of love. Nor do I understand what's so unusual about his story. Not a crime so far, even if you claim those things in the title. The onus of originality is not on you when the entire industry is "referencing." But get there in a way that is wholesome and entertaining.

The sure way of doing that is with some howlarious dialogue, especially when you don't have much in terms of character arcs or story development going on. That they manage in fits and spurts. There is another way to enjoy the do, just pre-decide, you are going to enjoy, and you might too.

The lead pair is another thing that might keep you going. Ranbir Kapoor plays the perfect Prem (Barjatya reference for the uninitiated). Charming and saccharine sweet. He has shades of Sunil, who tries to evoke Prem's darker side. Yes, he's aaawww-cho-chwweet. Diabetics might want to stay away. There's this one sequence in which he does a Jim Cary a lá The Mask and is pretty hilarious too. Now, why he's doing that, don’t ask! And oh yeah, remember slapstick? Yes, Ranbir is loud in this one!

Boys, Katrina Kaif is as lovely, to look at, as ever - even though she's in Sunday-Morning-Mass dresses through the film. Meaning - not much in terms of sensuous skin-show. She doesn't let that affect her performance though. Same ol' accent, same straight face, a similar ol' attempt at shedding glycerin tears.

On the brighter side, there's no first half-second half syndrome here. It is in one continuum - few emotional scenes, a few good laughs, loads of slapstick, and mucho silliness. Oh yeah… and 2-3 songs. The problem is in each of these, you find Santoshi trying to imitate some movie or director. And why not, right? Especially when you can pay tribute to Cinema Paradiso and Maine Pyaar Kiya all in one go! And if not anyone else, there's always an annoying self-reference to bank on. Reminding us of what could have been.

It's Tom and Jerry style humor, alright. But, it doesn't have a quarter of the recall value. And the saddest part is that it's a desperate effort for a repeat performance by Rajkumar Santoshi. And that part is pretty obvious. If only being yourself wasn't that difficult. A wannabe Andaz Apna Apna. And not very successful at that.

- meetu, a part of the audience

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: A comic fight at the end.
  • Language: Clean
  • Nudity & Sexual content: One song with a little bit of a skin show.
  • Concept: Undying, selfless love.
  • General Look and Feel: Happy, peppy, and all things nice.

Detailed Ratings:

  • Direction: 2
  • Story: 1
  • Lead Actors: 2
  • Character Artists: 2
  • Dialogues: 2.5
  • Screenplay: 1.5
  • Music Director: 3
  • Lyrics: 3

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani - Movie Details

Comments (18)

bobbysing:

Atlast there is someone who thinks that the movie doesnt deserve a 3.5 or 4 star ratings from any angle.

Inviting you to read my take on this at :
http://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/recentpost.php?postid=postid110509171221

Thanks

posted 10 months ago
vipul:

i dont agree with the rating i was crying after the movie ............ the rating should be break the tv if the movie is playing on it

posted 10 months ago
priyanka:

prem love style is veryy diff..amazing full tp movie hai...

posted 10 months ago
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani Movie Review:

I have included your review on Top reviews page from all popular Movie Critics

posted 10 months ago
rahul:

kat and ranbir u all r dashing guys when u r togrther

posted 9 months, 4 weeks ago
Mugdha:

The movie was too good ! Specially Ranbir acted well.Fun & joyful.

rating from me is 5+
The songs were romantc & good.

posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago
sankosh:

this flim is really bad

posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago
nupur:

although the film does'nt contain a good script but comedy & songs of this movie make it special.

posted 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Hindi Movies:

I dint like Ranbir when I saw the trailor of this movie, but after I watched the entire film, I started liking him. Katrina, as usual is absolutely gorgeous! I found it to be a ok ok film, especially from the comedy perspective.

posted 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Mohit Negi:

hey evrybody this movie is so romantic plzzzzzzzz see this movie

posted 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Adam:

Meetu, I check your review mainly for the Parental Guidance and your reviews are pretty good. But I must say that either you are too modern or have no family values at all!!For PAA, Your parental Guidance says none in Language except the word Bastard. Did you go out when there was talk about Sperm donation, Condom Use etc. and sexual content, you say NONE when there is a real brief love making scene in the song Muddi Muddi. What nonsense!! I will never ever read your reviews and post this on all your reviews so that everyone is aware. I took my 10 and 7 yr old daughters to see Paa based on your Parental Guidance and I m still shocked and embarassed to show them a film about Sex education!!

posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago
palak:

I LOVE RANBIR HE IS SO CUTE AND CHARMING .THE MOVIE WAS SO FUNNY THAT I ALMOST FALL FROM MY CHAIR I WISH THEY RELEASE THE PART2

posted 8 months, 1 week ago
kunal:

Poor attempt to re-make Andaz Apna Apna

posted 8 months ago
watch movies online:

im accept with mr.kunal

posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago
friendships in your locality:

i like ranbir but his movie always around with love subject.

posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago
build a local conversation:

hi ranbir keep a friendship with me.

posted 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Jogesh:

film totally=>BAD ,,,time waisting....oh!
then..
comedy worked very much Ranbir Kapoor
I give 50/100..

posted 1 month, 1 week ago
Best buy:

Ranbir you are cute than other actors in india.

posted 3 weeks, 4 days ago

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