Never mind, Dil Chahta Hai broke the jinx. Kudos to Farhan Akhtar for coming up with a commendable, fresh story line in a commercial frame. If Akhtar's presentation was sheer brilliance, S-E-L's music was revelation in its own, the tunes still fresh in everyone's memory. Farhan takes us back to the nostalgic 60's and 70's style of Indian film making, in one of his song sequences. Not a bad idea to use it as a backdrop for evoking some laughter.
Cinematography and lighting are two aspects which form the crux in film making. Sans a good lights-men and creative lens-men, a director's pulse is untapped and his idea only half baked. In this context, due credit must be given to these technicians for maintaining their balance throughout. Ability to film by cleverly avoiding the regular 'dishum- dishums' of Indian cinema, and sans some slapstick comedy topped with vulgarity needs some craftsmanship, an art, which the whole team of DCH has distinction-ed in .
Speaking of the trio, they simply excel. Saif's comic timing is something to die for, he is a find through this movie. Sometimes you need to be associated with the right script to extract the best out of you. Aamir as usual cake-walks, given his perfectionist ways and the 'I-care-a-damn' or his 'masti-hamesha' look in this 2001 flick. He can be excused of being repetitive as a romantic, for, he defines romanticism with a new flavour every season.
Akshaye as Sid plays his part with utmost serenity and sensitivity. As a recluse, cool headed painter trapped in his self-knit world of placidity and as a lover who retires to his heart into a self imposed exile, he portrays his part convincingly. His is a character drenched in timidity and painted in silence. More of an expression-defined. Sid's refusal to abide by social constraints for love is a point well emphasized and acted with equal subtlety and fervor. He is a friend par commitment and an absolute 'find', his people confide in. When Aamir's Aakash rubs over Akshaye's Sid, the latter doesn't mind being a part-time prankster. Afterall, his is a life defined by values of such expressions. Avid observing and deep thinking traits mark Sid's character. A lovable son he is. Carries within himself a dormant volcano which knows not its own instincts. He is mirthfully outrageous, at the same time a poet lost in the abyss of his own thoughts. Deep inside him lies an admiring and a concerned friend. All these aptly define Sid.. Sidharth Sinha of Dil Chahta Hai... a treat for any character analyst.
Other artists make their presence felt. Sonali is adequate, and Preity floors us with her innocence and effervescence. Kapadia fits well in the scheme for she brings in beauty with age factor in her Tara. Suhasini Mulay as Sid's mother is doting. I hate Ayub Khan as Rohit. He was meant to be hated all the while ;) ...
In these three men, the whole nation has identified and related to themselves at some stage or the other. I did too!! Have you ? ...
