'The rules are different for superstars'

Today, we feature a review by Vidya Pradhan.

I've always viewed Karan Johar's movies with a mix of exasperation and enjoyment. Exasperation because he is so shamelessly manipulative (anyone remember the kid singing Jana Gana Mana in Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham?) and enjoyment because the guy knows how to deliver a good old fashioned masala potboiler, jokes and all. But KANK turned out to be quite a surprise.

For one, it is an unusually serious subject for KJ. And he doesn't sugarcoat it at all. The leads, Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji, are not particularly likeable. Despite KJ's penchant for having only beautiful, rich and well groomed people in his movies, all the characters have real personalities. SRK is angry, hurting and rude. Rani is obsessive-compulsive and disinterested in sex. Abhishek Bachchan is flamboyant and slightly immature. Preity Zinta is a focussed career woman. Infidelity is never an easy subject to tackle, especially when you have such mainstream stars, but to KJ's credit, the deceived partners are not monsters who 'deserved' it but rather nice people who you could like, be friends with and completely sympathise with.

Alas, the PG (Parental Guidance) requirements for the movie constrain the director terribly when it comes to showing physical attraction and the passionate scenes are almost laughable. Considering the number of kids in the audience (what were the parents thinking?), the director was probably wise to refrain, though I'm guessing a whole generation would grow up very confused if they got all the birds and bees stuff from the movies!

I won't go over the plot in detail since everyone not living in a monastery for the past few months pretty much has a good idea of it. The first half details the build up to the affair and the second half shows the crash after the affair becomes known. Kirron Kher and Amitabh Bachchan whoop it up admirably in the first half. KJ's trademark dialogue kept me and the audience in splits, and he knows the value of a good laugh.

Yes the movie runs for three-and-a-half hours, but I think the director was really trying to show the complete arc of an affair and how it affects all the people involved. The jerky transitions in the scenes showing the build-up of SRK and Rani's attraction suggest the movie was even longer and was cut to its current size. But the movie never drags. It does ample justice to the subject, which is that affairs are messy, uncomfortable and ruin people's lives.

AB shines in his brief but meaty role; what a guy and what a hoot of a role! He has mastered the art of the telling glance. AB jr is shaping up to as a fine actor who brings a sincerity to every performance, whether it be in an intense role like Yuva or a masala movie like Dhoom. I am beginning to think he will be that rare bird who can straddle the art-house and commercial sectors, hope he keeps himself approachable for the serious directors like Mani Ratnam and Vishal Bhardwaj.

And contrary to general opinion, I have to say SRK was quite subdued. He kept most of his hamming and tics in check and turned in quite an interesting performance. It must not have been easy to play a role that is essentially unsympathetic, but he does it well. There's no point comparing it to a powerhouse performance by a lesser known actor, the rules are simply different for superstars.

The ladies turn in competent performances. Frankly, I expected more of Rani, she doesn't bring that extra angst to the role that could have elevated the movie a notch and the chemistry with SRK, so good in Chalte Chalte, just doesn't work as well here. Oh Kajol, where were you?

As with all KJ movies, there are 2 movies for the price of one, a pre-interval laugh fest and a post-interval weepie. Both are thoroughly enjoyable if viewed in the context of the 'commercial' movie. Yes, there are very convenient meetings and confrontations. Yes, nobody has to worry about mundane things like alimony and child support. But if you're going to see a Karan Johar movie for its realism, then you should save the price of the ticket. If you want a comfortable, comforting dose of prime Bollywood, then enjoy.

KJ's formula continues to be: a story about beautiful rich people + great songs + good comedy + top stars. Within that framework, kudos to him for trying something different. Now if only he could get over his yen for glossy, slick movie making, we might have a movie that we can actually be proud to enjoy, rather than the guilty pleasure it is now.

Vidya Pradhan lives in California, writes for a local newspaper and is working on a children's novel.