Kismat connection is really a hot connection?

In terms of box office success, last year was not so fruitful for Vidya Balan but the actress says professionally she has come a long way and has learnt to voice her opinion confidently.

“Last year there were lessons to be learnt. Professionally, I’ve learnt to say no to projects I don’t want to do. I’m no longer apologetic about voicing my opinion. I guess I’ve become more confident and therefore more assertive,” Vidya told IANS.

“At times I didn’t know how to say no to a filmmaker. Now the painful process has become less difficult. If I say no to a project I don’t see that as a rejection of an individual’s creativity. I just see the project as being non-relatable with me,” she added.

In 2008, Vidya is looking at something different.

“At the same time I want to have fun. My two releases in the first-half this year – Halla Bol and Kismet Connections- are very different from one another. For this year I’ve only signed a Bengali film so far. I like where I am.”

She laughs when her Kismet Connections hero Shahid Kapur is mentioned.

“I’ve been linked with practically every co-star I’ve worked with. I get along famously with all of them. And I am single. So people are looking for masala to make my life, and theirs, more interesting,” she laughed.

“I went to one screening of Jab We Met. Over there I met my Heyy Babyy writer Milap Jhaveri and had tea with him. The next day when reports of Shahid and me came out.”"Spice apart, I got along very well with Shahid during our schedule in Toronto. People just wanted to say there was more to our friendship than meets the eyes.

“Honestly, even I like to gossip. Most of us enjoy it. Someone must have reported that we laughed a lot together on the set. It’s like saying, ‘If an actress gives a really good performance, she must be having an affair with the director.’ Likewise, if Shahid and I were having so much fun, we must be a couple.”

So what is Vidya’s rapport with Shahid?

“The way Aziz uncle (director Aziz Mirza)’s team worked was very friendly. Everyone in the unit went out for dinner together. All of us went for walks together. I guess the two of us were high profile. But Shahid never shared confidences with me.”

What about Vidya playing hostess to Shahid’s screenings of Jab We Met?

She groaned loudly. “Oh God! I went to one screening of Jab We Met. Over there I met my Heyy Babyy writer Milap Jhaveri and had tea with him. The next day when reports of Shahid and me came out, Milap wondered how this could be true when I wasn’t anywhere near Shahid throughout the evening.”

Vidya turned a year older on New Year’s day and spent her birthday with her family.

She was In Delhi visiting her sister and her parents joined her. For Vidya, it was a perfect birthday.

“I’ve great faith in myself. Of course, there’re tough times. But God has brought me to them and he’ll take me through them. That’s what keeps me going,” Vidya said

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Review

Two decades ago, the Mansoor Khan-helmed Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, starring two newcomers [Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla], focused on teenage love, with parental opposition acting as an obstacle. The story wasn’t new, but the treatment was fresh and inventive. QSQT remains one of the finest reference films in this genre and rightly so!

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is a love story as well, but it’s more of an Archie-Jughead-Veronica-Betty kind of a plot, set in the current milieu. We witnessed a gist of it a few years ago in the Shahid Kapur launch pad Ishq Vishk.

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na doesn’t dare to be different. Basically a simple tale about a group of friends, it focuses on one couple that’s in love, but is in a state of denial.

Haven’t we watched similar love stories in the past, you may ask. Sure, we have, but the execution of the subject makes all the difference.

Large portions of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na have been executed well by debutante director Abbas Tyrewala, but the problem lies in the second hour when the film gets lengthy and also, a few tracks throw a spanner in the otherwise smooth proceedings. Even the climax, although well shot, is passe [very filmy in an otherwise real film], since a number of films have had similar endings.

Yet, despite the shortcomings, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na works for a number of solid reasons and that’s what the viewer carries home. A decent fare that takes you back to your adolescence, when friends seem to be the be-all and end-all.

Jai [ Imraan Khan] and Aditi [Genelia] are buddies. In fact, they hang out with their group of friends, but have eyes for each other only. Their friends know that Jai and Aditi are perfect for each other. Their parents know this as well. Everybody knows this. But the couple doesn’t. So when do they realize its love?

Don’t expect fireworks or melodrama in this prem kahani. It’s an extremely simple, uncomplicated tale that never goes over the top. The bonding amongst friends is well established. So is the relationship that Ratna Pathak Shah shares with her deceased husband’s portrait [reminds you of Ashok Saraf-Priya Tendulkar relationship in the popular comedy show Hum Paanch].

Besides, the two [popular] songs that come in the initial reels — ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ and ‘Pappu Can’t Dance’ — only spice up the proceedings. The arrival of the ‘third angle’ in this love story [Manjari Phadnis] is perfect. Everything is faultless in the first hour.

But the second hour lets you down. The Ayaz-Genelia relationship is, again, well developed, but the second hour gets a tad lengthy. But what looks completely out of place in this light and breezy entertainer is the Rajput connection and how it saves the lead man from the cop [Paresh Rawal]. This track irritates!

Also, the climax, set in an airport, is beaten to death. There’s no novelty in it, since we’ve seen the same ending in film after film.

Abbas Tyrewala has the makings of a fine director. A.R. Rahman’s music is already a rage and the two songs at the start are superb compositions. Cinematography is excellent.

Every member of the cast stands out, but the film belongs to Imran and Genelia. Imran has been presented as the boy-next-door and that works in his favor. He has screen presence and acts very well for a first timer. Most importantly, he looks the part. Genelia adds freshness to her scenes. What makes you take to Genelia is her spontaneity. Also, the mischievous look in her eyes conveys sorrow with equal ease. Wish to see more of her in Hindi movies! Manjari is a complete natural. She is very effective.

The group of friends — Karan [as Rotlu], Alishka [as Bombs], Nirav [as Jiggy] and Sughanda [as Shaleen] — are excellent. Each compliments the other well. Ratna Pathak Shah is highly competent. Jayant Kripalani and Anuradha Patel [as Genelia's parents] are sweet. Pratiek Babbar [as Genelia's brother] springs a pleasant surprise. He is flawless in an unconventional role. Ayaz Khan [as Genelia's fiance] registers a strong impact. A good actor!

Rajat Kapoor and Kitu Gidwani [as Manjari's parents] are fair. Naseeruddin Shah is in terrific form. Paresh Rawal, again, is wonderful. Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan irritate, mainly because the roles don’t work.

On the whole, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is a breezy entertainer which will be loved by its target audience — the youth. At the box-office, business at multiplexes should ensure a speedy recovery for this moderate budget film. A profitable venture!