Milenge Milenge Movie Review: Milenge Milenge: Jab We Get?

Well, Satish Kaushik's 'Milenge Milenge' is finally out. Frankly, this is no 'Jab We Met', but the lead pair of Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, former real-life lovers, will definitely stand testimony to their crackling chemistry on screen. It's a pity and quite ironical indeed that their on-screen chemistry really fell into place, post their estrangement. With all things being the same, the possibility of it being repeated again is quite unlikely. But this, their last film together, does raise the point that, whether, a more timely release would have worked wonders for this movie. The film is dated and it shows. More importantly, everybody knows that it is dated. 'Milenge Milenge' has Kareena looking girlish and Shahid in a very boyish avatar. Both actors have outgrown that phase in their personal and professional lives. Kaushik's film has a story which seems to be quite inspired from a Hollywood flick, which is still acceptable. But unfortunately, he is not able to make much of it. This is not the kind of film which one will instantly fall in love with, but neither can one just dismiss it. It falls somewhere in the middle, parts of it are quite engaging, while others seem quite laboured and hackneyed. The film's story is about Immy (Shahid) and Priya (Kareena), who meet at a youth festival in Bangkok. Both are as different from the other as chalk and cheese. Priya has very definite notions of what the man in her life will be like and Immy does not fit the bill. By a stroke of fate, Immy finds himself with Priya's diary and privy to all her secrets. He now poses as her dream man and it takes no time for Priya to bite the bait. Soon, the duo is in love with each other. But by a stroke of luck, Priya discovers a copy of her diary with Immy and discovers that she has been taken for a ride by him. Immy, on the other hand, has also fallen in love with her. But Priya will have none of it and breaks the relationship despite Immy's assertion that they are meant to be together. Deciding to leave it to destiny, Priya is back to Delhi. Years passby?and both have moved on. While Immy is now engaged to be married, Priya is also involved in a relationship. But somewhere, deep down, neither has been able to forget the other and before their respective marriages, both make a last-ditch attempt to find the other. The first half of the movie has been handled quite typically by Kaushik and there is not much freshness in approach here, unlike Imtiaz Ali's 'Jab We Met'. But it is the twist that he imparts at the halfway point which kind of lifts the film. Actually, it lifts the expectations more than anything else. But the second half is quite uneven and the director is unable to sustain interest. There is little that he manages in the area of novelty and what he does manage, only comes across as quite laboured. Of course, there are some very engaging moments, but very few. Even the final moments of the film lack the magic. Kaushik's failing in 'Milenge Milenge' has been to rely too heavily on the chemistry and interest centering around his lead pair. That alone cannot make a good movie. The film's story has been decently adapted by writer Shiraz Ahmed, but somehow seems to lack punch or even the charm of the recently released 'I Hate Luv Storys'. Himesh Reshammiya has done a creditable job in the music department and the recently added 'kuch to baaki hai' is quite a good track. As for the lead pair, they turn in convincing performances as lovers. Their on-screen chemistry is good and it plays a major role in lifting the movie. But beyond a point, with little meat in their roles, and a weak screenplay, there is little that they can dig into. Among the other actors, Kirron Kher has a brief role and manages to make an impression. Delnaaz Paul as Kareena's best friend and Sarfaraz Khan as Shahid's, are quite engaging. But veterans like Satish Shah and Himani Shivpuri have little to do in the movie and so does Aarti Chhabria. 'Milenge Milenge' relies too much on its lead pair and less on the workings of the screenplay, which may prove to be its undoing. Also, despite a very promising twist, the second half of the movie fails to rise to expectations. There is way too much melodrama and a very laboured screenplay. Two bad on that score...