Guess what, JAB WE MET rocks

What the film is about:

Very little actually! Aditya Kashyap is an industrialist who is trying to cope with too many issues at the same time. And like most men, he prefers to withdraw into a world of sullen silences. Somehow he finds himself aboard a train, which for him must be a rare experience, if at all it has ever happened in his life. But Aditya is still in a bemused state of mind, and even fails to notice his surroundings.

Unfortunately for him, on this train he encounters Geet, a crazy searching-for-romance Sikh girl who is about 20 years old. Although Geet has achieved a certain level of physical maturity, she has the mind of a thirteen-year-old. And she lives in a world where she is the queen. So for her to encounter a man like Aditya, is a rare phenomenon. When even a complete stranger would be able to spot Aditya’s turmoil and keep a safe distance from him, Geet follows the old adage and rushes in. She happily tramples all over him both in terms of physical space and even his emotions! One chance meeting continues over a 15-day period by which time both of them are in love with each other although neither of them is willing to accept it.

But their paths continue to cross again and again till finally both of them accept they are made for each other.

What we liked:

The director has successfully captured the romance of travelling by train. Probably one of the first filmmakers who has successfully captured the ethos of an air-conditioned compartment! For the select few who even now prefer to get on to a train and use that time to catch up with their reading or just take a break from the maddening routine this film is a must-watch. There is intrinsic humour which marks every scene in the film. The main characters Aditya, Geet and Anshuman (the person whom Geet believes herself to be in love with) come across as people whom we would encounter in our day-to-day lives. The great onscreen chemistry Kareena shares with Shahid, which was lacking in their earlier films such as 36 China Town and Chup Chup Ke. Crisp dialogues and loads of laughter, Shahid’s ability to dance even when the music is passable. Great locations right here in Himachal Pradesh. Thankfully, Imitiaz Ali has left Switzerland alone for a change.

What we didn’t like:

The music is mediocre as which is surprising for a person who gave us Dhoom. One song might just turn out to be good but the rest are mediocre. None of the songs fit into the flow of the film they look like they have been pushed in externally. The lyrics are also nothing to write home about. The scenes of Bhatinda where Kareena’s family is based are loud and over-the-top. People not familiar with the Punjabi ethos may form the impression that all upper-middle class Punjabi familes drink Lassi and talk too much.

Our Verdict: See it because it is simple film handled in a deft and unassuming manner.

Rating: 4/5