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I took in Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut this weekend, and what I witnessed was a film that delivered the very best in what every film promises: a remarkably well written script, wonderfully acted performances and brilliant direction all culminating into a movie which manages to strike the fine balance between art house cinema and commercial entertainment.



While it's not the first to take on the Hindi film industry as a subject, it is certainly the most authentic and modern adaptation we've seen in a while. The movie is part satirical and part realistic in it's depiction of the struggle to make it big in the movie industry. It is neither a movie showing the extreme dark side of the film industry nor is it a shiny bright fairy tale, but rather an honest portrayal of what the main characters Vikram and Sona go through and the means by which they achieve their goals.

There's something about Farhan Akhtar that I just can't get out of my head. It could be the charm that oozes out of every single pore from his oh-so-cute face, or it could be the talent that shines whether he's acting, directing, singing, or hosting his tv show. Whatever it is, I am hooked! As the struggling actor, Vikram Jaisingh, Farhan gives an excellent performance as the boy who innocently, then manipulatively, works the system to his selfish advantage, climbing the ladder of success, knowingly hurting those who care about him.




Konona Sen Sharma, whose majority of work is based primarily in Indian arthouse and independent films, plays Sona Mishra, the mistress of small-time producer Satish Chowdhury (Alyy Khan). Her struggle to leave behind all the two-bit parts and become an established first tier heroine is beautifully and genuinely played.



Though the subject is serious, the mood of the film is kept light at all times by the multitude of quirky characters and funny dialogues played by an all-star ensemble cast. Veteran film producer Romi Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) gives an enthralling and amazing performance putting a lasting impression to his character. Ranjit Rolly (Sanjay Kapoor), is the failed actor turned director, who is always making funny jokes and moves trying to convince himself and his crew about the next shot. Minty Rolly, (Juhi Chawla) is also a character to remember, as the superstitious wife. A lot of other small cameos by Anurag Kashyap, as the screenplay writer who plagiarizes Hollywood films from the DVDs, Isha Shravani as the superstar daughter, who is too dumb and too pretty. And lastly Dimple Kapadia as the ex-screen siren who is attempting to launch her daughter into super stardom.




In and amongst everything else, there are plenty of insider jokes spilt at every corner (Nikki Walia unable to seek Romi Rolly's blessing due to her tight dress) There's even an avenue for sight gags: did you catch the posters for 'A Fistful of Rupees' and 'The Good, the Bad and the Worst'!

The few number of songs in the movie, seems adequate and never forced. My favorites are the opening number 'Yeh Zindagi Bhi' which serves as dignified homage to the upline and downchain support functions of the entire film industry, and Pyaar Ki Dastaan, a beautifully melodious song picturized on Vikram and Nikki during filming of their movie.

And I can't forget to mention the multitude of small cameos that include the who's who of the industry, from Amir Khan to Karan Johar to Abhishek Bachchan to *gasp* Shahrukh Khan (what a nice little packaged treat for me!) Shah Rukh's is by far the most impactful cameo, and gives the most powerful and defining lines in the movie, lines which were perhaps not given to the dialogue writers but have been his own firm values that have made him the biggest superstar of this Industry.



The ending, though unconventional for a Bollywood movie, gives this film a certain gravitas in being unflinching in the messages it wants to make about the industry, where the tenacious succeed and there is not much room for sentimentalism.