A youthful, joyful ride that goes on and on

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Hindi (U/A) ¬¬¬¬
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Kalki Kochelin,  Aditya Roy Kapur

This may be Ayan Mukerji’s second film, but with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD), he has proved that he is not a one time wonder with Wake Up! Sid.

Not only does YJHD bear the unmistakable stamp of Ayan’s joie de vivre – a carryover from his debut, his chemistry with his lead star Ranbir Kapoor in time to come will only churn out great, popular cinema for the masses.

Here is one team that will make it very, very big in Bollywood. And with Ranbir stating in pre-release interviews that he wants to work in all of Ayan’s films, you can definitely look forward to great Bollywood fare.

Speaking of chemistry, one overheard a giggly college kid saying, “Yaar, Deepika and Ranbir should get married. They look sooo good together!”

Yes, the couple looks awesome together and not just because they both were an ‘item’ once or because they share an incredible chemistry onscreen but because the equal dedication that they bring to their work is seen to be believed.

The script of YJHD is average. It is the story of four friends, Bunny (Ranbir), Avi (Aditya Roy Kapur), Aditi (Kalki Kochelin) and Naina (Deepika) who are ‘living their dream,’ in the only ways they know how. Naina is studying medicine and has been mostly a loner since school days.

On an impulsive trekking trip, she discovers herself, along-side the other three who have been ‘chuddy buddies’. The other three too will find their niche and come of age eventually.

Nothing earth-shattering there but what lifts the film is the manner in which the coming of age, as of now Ayan’s favourite theme, is dealt with. There is drama, laughter, bantering, some real smart one-liners, lots of mush and romance but the understated truth of the script is the self-discovery of each one.

The manner in which their inter-personal relationships evolve is where lies Ayan’s magic. That Ranbir and Deepika deliver in every scene very ably supported by Kalki and Aditya is where YJHD works.

Watch it for these four alone. The locales, costumes, songs and Madhuri Dixit are the bonus.