Rating : 6/10
Release Date : 27th November, 2015
Time : 151 minutes
Director & Writer: Imtiaz Ali; Music : A R Rahman;
Starring : Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Piyush Mishra, Yash Sehgal, Piyush Mishra, Javed Sheikh



I got the central message but not the way the delivery has been,
I loved, in minutes, the first ten and five, and the last fifteen
But sadly very little of what�s in between�



After a slightly surreal opening sequence about a young boy (Yash Sehgal playing a young Ranbir) and a storyteller (Piyush Mishra), which kind of sets the mood for what lies ahead, btw, we arrive in Corsica. Beautiful, sun-drenched, summery, full of old world charm, cobbled streets, pristine waterfalls, a very leggy, vivacious Deepika Padukone, a charming Ranbir Kapoor, emerald green seas, gorgeous vistas�and did I mention Deepika�s legs, that go on for miles ?


Anyways, they meet, have fun, set boundaries, break them, romance, mention Asterix in Corsica and all the while don�t tell each other who they are. Then they leave and we are treated to a fabulous, mad-cap song, Heer To Badi Sad Hai



�And then they meet again�and it gets quite boring, very normal (despite all the stuff about it not being the same old story). Things perking up again only just before the end�


It�s kind of a gender - reverse complicated version of Jab We Met (kind of). It�s about doing what makes you happy, finding your mojo, recognizing your own special story, chasing your own dreams, writing your own story, shunning mediocrity, pursuing excellence.



But as someone who�s chosen paths of the beaten track, I found issue even with the way that is depicted (rant coming up, you�ve been warned). It�s not a binary equation, is it ? There is a way to find happiness / pursue your passion outside the confines of the workplace (which circumstances may have forced on you). So the solution offered � the break free � may not necessarily be the only option, nay, can probably be a very dangerous course to recommend. And what is this fixation about being the best ? Do whatever you�ve chosen to do well, have fun doing it � if you�ve chosen a line because you want to enjoy life then why put this additional pressure of trying to be the best � just be the best you can be, no ? Revel in the fact that you�ve chosen a different option and find happiness in your own unique way (apologies to Mr Tolstoy).



And that brings us to what for me is the fatal flaw in the movie - the character played by Ranbir doesnt really ring true...the one we saw in Corsica and the one we see in Delhi can simply not be the same person ! Dont want to give anything away, so please message / comment here if you'd like more discussion on why I think so...



All in all, Imtiaz Ali here chooses a rather convoluted way to tell us a story � normally he�s quite direct, well thought out and it seems to come from the heart � this one falls somewhere in between. Thank God, as a saving grace, for AR Rahman�s kickass soundtrack, the impish charm of Ranbir and the sizzling, perky Deepika (you were waiting for me to mention the legs again, weren�t you ?