Ok Jannu
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Directed by: Shaad Ali
Produced by: Mani Ratnam, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Hiroo Yash Johar
Written by: Gulzar (Dialogues)
Screenplay by: Mani Ratnam
Story by: Mani Ratnam
Based on: O Kadhal Kanmani By Mani Ratnam
Starring: Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor
Music by: A. R. Rahman
Cinematography: Ravi K. Chandran
Edited by: A. Sreekar Prasad
Production company: Madras Talkies and Dharma Productions
Distributed by: Fox Star Studios
Release dates: 13 January 2017
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Story line:
Aditya Varadarajan is a video game developer who accidentally meets Taara Kalingarayar at his relative’s wedding. He later finds out she is planning to pursue her studies in Paris. They soon begin to call each other often, go out together, and start to fall in love during a holiday they take together. They agree that marriage is not for them and decide to have a live-in relationship instead, and Taara moves into Adhi’s place, rented from Ganapathy. They wish to spend their time with each other before they go their separate ways for their respective careers. Taara and Adhi live happily, being playful with each other.
One midnight, Tara has a conversation with Ganapathy. She tells him that she might get her visa approved for going to Paris, and that it’s hard for her to leave Adhi and go far away. The next day Taara goes to Jaipur for her business, and Aditya starts to miss her terribly. Upon seeing the love and patience his houseowner Ganapathy has for his wife, Bhavani, an Alzheimer patient, who one day even forgets her own house address, they begin to understand the importance of each others presence in their life.
Soon, Adhi is selected to develop his skills in video games and to go United States. He tells his colleague that it’s hard for him to leave Taara. The next day, both of them make an agreement to enjoy themselves to the maximum for the 10 days left before they separate. Nearing the last day, they begin to have little fights and arguments, which don’t last long.
One day, Bhavani goes missing again, as she did when she forgot her house address. While looking for her, they continue arguing about their relationship and finally Adhi proposes to Taara and they decide to get married. Post marriage, both of them continue to accomplish their own dreams, one in Paris, another in US. And they live happily, married and in love.
Know more about the captain of the Ship, the director: Shaad Ali started his career as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam, and assisted him on the film Dil Se.. (1998).He made his directorial debut under Yash Raj Films and Madras Talkies, with Saathiya (2002), starring Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji. The film was a remake of Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Alaipayuthey (2000). Saathiya’s script was written by Ratnam. The film did well and established Shaad Ali in the industry.
His second film was Bunty Aur Babli (2005) which for the first time brought together real-life father and son Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan alongside Rani Mukerji. The film was one of the biggest hits of the year.
Shaad Ali’s third film released on 15 June, 2007. The film, titled Jhoom Barabar Jhoom stars Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta in lead roles.
His fourth directorial venture was Kill Dil which got released on 14 November, 2014. The movie received average reviews from critics and got a lukewarm response at the Box office as well.
My Gut Feel and comments:
We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the one who turns back soonest is the most progressive. : C. S. Lewis
Above seems to be the case as far as storyline of Ok Jannuis concerned. The same team who made Saathiya came back together to make Ok Jannu which gives a similar look and can be considered as a progressive version of Sathiya. Saathiya was directed by Shaad Ali, written by Mani Ratnam, lyrics from Gulzar Sahab and music by A. R. Rahman. Same team worked on Ok Jannuas well.
Ok Jannu is an official remake of successful Tamil movie O Kadhal Kanmani, directed by Mani Ratnam.
Recently a film with a similar story line Befikre was released which was indeed a below average movie. Being progressive is fine, however movie should be engaging and soulful.
Ok Jannu seems to hit the right note and greater a chance that it would be a decent fast passed love story.
I am giving this movie 3 stars out of 5 stars, three days before the release.