Khoobsurat Movie Review: Sonam Kapoor’s Best Act Till Date

'Aap bahaut khoobsurat hain'

And so is Sonam Kapoor complimented by one of the important characters in the film! The old man is appreciating the inner beauty here, and that too in a matter of seconds after interacting with the spunky girl for the first time ever.

Now he could well be saying this behalf of the audience that surely falls in love with not just her beauty but also the characterization which is truly charming in its own way. She isn't perfect, but then she isn't bimbo either. She says and does what she feels like but her intent is not to be disrespectful. She may be seen fooling around but then she is doing quite well in her profession too. She is pretty much a girl who is unpretentious, yet the kind whom you really want to cuddle up with.

In a part that could have just fallen off the edge if enacted by a lesser actress, Sonam Kapoor comes up trumps and gives inarguably what could be the best performance of her career so far. For someone who was mighty impressive in Raanjhanaa as well, this is pretty much saying a lot, but then worthwhile enough as Sonam plays it natural to the core and yet entertains well to keep the Bollywood commercial elements intact.

As someone who is hired in a royal mansion to treat the man who once drove the show, Aamir Raza Husain, there are challenges in the form of some khadoos family members, read  'Rani sahiba' Ratna Pathak Shah and 'Yuvraj' Fawad Khan. And no, she doesn't go on a mission to win their hearts with her sweet little moves. She just stays on be herself, and it is only when she goes missing from the scene that the family realizes how much she had added to the fun element in their lives.

For starters, this is a true Disney film, what with a fairy tale setting, courtesy an impeccable production design by Shruti Gupte, who ensures that the ethos of the filmmaking company are pretty much retained in a Bollywood set up. A lot goes in there to keep it all moving, right from the costumes to the antiques to the furniture design and the works. Technically, the film brings on some Hollywood elements, what with the background score just the kind that one would have witnessed in many a children-friendly Disney affair. The fact that Sonam is pretty much shown as a child only makes it all the more appealing for kids.

However, most importantly it is the narrative of the film that follows a Disney pattern. Director Shashanka Ghosh, who went overtly quirky with both Waisa Bhi Hota Hai - Part II and Quick Gun Murugun, totally turns around his story telling style and reinvents himself by keeping the entertainment quotient friendly enough for all age groups. Yes, he primarily caters to the classes, and that's acceptable since the makers are honest to the audience base they are reaching out to.

Hence, you chuckle along in most of the scenes when Sonam is on the move. Her romance with Fawad Khan is built well too and one has to give it to the debutant actor (in Bollywood) to not just look convincing as a royalty but also hold his well in a part that has a prominent presence right through the course of the film. His looks are an eye-fill for the women folk while his dialogue delivery is perfect too.

As for the veterans on the scene, Kirron Kher is a riot in practically each of her scenes and she is there right from start till the end. Appearing on screen around 8-10 times, one wants her to stay longer than she does as one can't have enough of her. Ratna Pathak Shah is good but her constant 'angry old woman' act could have done better had she played on the 'upper class v/s middle class' element a lot more, a la Sarabhai v/s Sarabhai, as that would have brought in more laughter. Aamir Raza Husain could well have entered the stereotypical 'go young man, go' zone but thankfully that happens only in the end.

Oh yes, the film could have been crisper in the latter portions of the second half once Sonam starts dealing with her heart break. The writer-director team tries to keep bringing the smiles back but not-so-successfully, especially when Sonam disappears from the scene for a while. You just miss the kind of perkiness that had dominated the proceedings right through the first half of the film and the beginning of the second half too. Thankfully, the climax doesn't end up at an airport and it is innovative at least, if not perfect. Still, the 'Party' song in the end as title credits start rolling ensures that you leave the auditorium satiated.

Watch it with a bunch of friends, especially with girls, and you would have a good time for sure.

Joginder Tuteja [email protected]tutejajoginder