"Yuva" & "Ayutha Ezhutthu" hits the screens exactly the day I left India. I couldn't explain in words how much I have been anticipating and followng this movie since thae day it was conceived. You people might remember in my earlier mails that I mentioned about Srikanth, Nitin, Simran playing the roles which they hadn't in the final product. But it was sheer mistime that I couldn't watch it with my friends. I always wanted to watch Maniratnam's movies in halls as he is someone having a flair for new techniques. Thats why I didn't care for VCD prints here.
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The movie has a jump start with Abhishek Bacchan (a goon working for a corrupt politician, Amrish Puri) making an attempt on Ajay Devgan's life (who happens to be a student political activist), only to rescued and his movement made stronger by Vivek Oberoi. If you think the movie is going great guns, you are grossly mistaken.
Admited Mani has tried to show the life of people from different strata of life, but the process of establishing the characters itself takes 80% of the movie and only 20% is left to the "actual" movie. What is refreshing in "Yuva" is its narrative structure, i.e saying a same incident in different perspectives ( a technique that gained prominence with Kamal hassan's "Virumandi"). The anecdotes of the individuals are nice but when they collide in other's life, the movie loses its steam. May be because of regular tested 'n' tried "Good triumphs over the evil" mode clays. Also the movie ends abruptly that you are left wondering whether the movie had concluded.
Among the performances, I'd surely say that it is Abhishek Bacchan and Rani Mukherjee are the "Hero" & "Heroine" of the movie. Abhishek excels in the starkingly black role that is too voracious for greed. His passion for his wife is simply superb ably supported by the "steamy" scenes (I wonder how Meera Jasmine had done those in Tamil, I couldn't even imagine). The on-screen chemistry between Abhishek and Rani is terrific. Her voice adds to the performances.
No wonder this is a milestone in Rani's career. As a Bengali belle, her passion for Abhishek, her unfulfilled desire of rekindling the human side of Abhishek, her angst, her lust towards Abhishek, Rani is the scene stealer of all the other girls. Many of you don't know that Mani offered the roles to Rani first that later went to Preity Zinta, Simran in "Dil Se" & "Kannathil Mutthamittal" respectively. Maniratnam has brought the best from Rani. This is the third time that proved lucky for both.
Next comes Ajay Devgan. Oflate he has managed to bring out versatility in the roles he play, but the sorry point is Ajay looks old for the role of a student. So all you can see is Ajay, not the protagonist Michael Mukherjee. His sweet heart played by Esha Deol, is nothing great to write about. In fact Maniratnam had shot that role with Simran in lead, but when it came to Tamil version, Simran and Mani had a fall out, so he replaced her with Esha in tamil version. By the time Simran got married, he thought that it would affect the comercial prospects of the movie, so he reshot the same portions in Hindi too with Esha. It would have been better if that role was completely chopped off because it is not helping the movie anyway.
As far as technical details, it is cinematographer Ravi K Chandran & Art Director Sabu Cyril, who mesmerises you with their opulent work. Abhishek's part is shot mostly with steady cam that gives a feel of restlessness while watching itself. Predominence of red and maroon in the Abhishek's episode gives a stark feel of a slum area. The scene where Abhishek grabs the power by killing his brother is a best scene in terms of cinematography, performances and background score. He had shot with natural light the most of the scenes of Vivek & Kareena, that looks mindblowing.
A.R Rahman, has definitley taken some time to grow on you. The songs really complement to the movie, unlike what the critics feel. The songs pop up in the right opportunity. The passion of Abhishek and Rani wouldn't have found a best way to be expressed other than "Kabhi neem neem song", the meeting of Vivek and Kareena is in a dance floor describing their cool attitude ("Fanaa"), and Ajay leaves the decision of living-in with Esha to her that leads to the song "Badal..". The background score is definitely one of the best of AR Rahman.
OK! This movie passes the muster. You can see it once. I had so much of expectations that might have pulled down the movie in my perspective. Might be if I watch it after an year I may find this intresting, similiar to what my experience was with "Alaipayuthey.." Go to the movie hoping that you are heading for a worst, you might return feeling watching a Master piece. Else if you expected a "Roja" or "Kannathil Mutthamittal" it is sure that you'll return disappointed, even though the movie bears a Maniratnam stamp
