Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wake up Sid! Review


I happened to see ‘Wake Up Sid’ a few weeks ago. Although the movie lacked a very concrete plot, there were many riveting sub plots which made the movie a great watch. The screenplay, flow of the story and direction by rookie Ayan Mukerji were absolutely first class. However, what makes the movie really worth the dollar is the lead pair of Konkana Sen Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor brilliantly supported by the other actors. We all know the Konkana Sen Sharma is an amazing actress. But I think the revelation of the movie has been Ranbir Kapoor. With an author backed role, Ranbir Kapoor has come into his own and given a smashing performance.


Ranbir Kapoor as ‘Sid’ is a young and delinquent son of a rich industrialist (Anupam Kher) who is completely aimless in life without any motivation. He takes his easy going life for granted and his life basically revolves around partying and enjoying with his friends; his only passion being photography. However, with all these fallacies, there are certain characteristics of Sid like his love for friends, zest for life etc which make him loveable. He meets Aisha Banerjee (Konkana Sen Sharma) at his farewell party and they soon hit it off in spite of having contrasting personalities; as different as chalk and cheese. Aisha is a free spirited and self confident individual who has come to Mumbai (Bombay) to live her dream of becoming a writer. She lands up with a job of Editor’s assistant at a very well known magazine where she meets Rahul Khanna who is her boss whom she is immediately attracted to.


Sid’s reactions after failing in his final exams create a rift between friends and him. This also leads to him leaving his house after a bitter fight with his father and he lands up at Aisha’s place and starts living with her. Still used to the carefree lifestyle, Sid does not adjust to his new life and this creates tension between him and Aisha. Certain events after that make Sid take a step back and circumspect his life so far. He realizes his follies and starts a career in photography at Aisha’s magazine. Slowly but surely, he makes up with his friends and more importantly his family. He moved out of Aisha’s house and goes back to his parents’ place where he soon realizes that he loves Aisha and his feelings are equally reciprocated.


The movie is very much a metro centric film with Mumbai being at the centre of the whole movie. I am sure any youngsters who have watched this movie will instantly relate to Sid’s character. It takes us back to the era when everything was fun, when there were no responsibilities’ partying with friends took precedence over college and studies. It depicts a life which I am sure most of us have lived and enjoyed. It also takes an eagle’s eye view on the differences between the older generation and the Gen X.


It is not only the theme of the movie which makes it exciting. The characters play their roles to perfection. Special mention must be given here to Sid’s friend Lakshmi (Shikha Talsania) who has given a commendable performance. Anupam Kher and Supriya Pathak as Sid’s parents are believable and act well. But then that is expected of these veterans. Rahul Khanna is wasted in the movie and does not get any screen space to show his histrionics. The music of the movie by Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy is melodious with ‘Ek taara’ deserving a special mention.


Although the first half blows you away, the movie does have a little slack in the second half but then in the overall scheme of things, the movie is brilliant. The direction is as said; top notch. Ayan Mukerji packs a punch with most of the scenes which hit you hard. There is a subtle softness in Konkana’s character which is well depicted by the director. Ditto with Ranbir’s confusion with life and his escapist attitude. There are a few scenes in the movie which are amazingly well enacted and directed. Some of the special mentions here would be: Ranbir’s reaction to his failing the exams where you can see the pains he is going through; Ranbir celebrating Konkana’s birthday; Ranbir and Shikha’s scene at Konkana’s house; Konkana’s perseverance about getting Rahul Khanna to read her story; Ranbir going to meet his mother where they share a heart to heart.


All in all, this is a Ranbir Kapoor movie and he has done full justice to it as urban, suave Sid. A definite must watch for young and old alike. The best part about the movie is that it does not give a judgmental view on any generations. It just takes the views of each and lays them before us giving us a choice to decide the pros and cons of the views.


Lastly, as someone who has lived the best part of his young life in Mumbai (Bombay), I can definitely confirm this. BOMBAY ROCKS MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Till Later,


Gaurav

2 comments:

  1. 'Iktaara' is by Amit Trivedi (the Dev D music director) actually :)

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  2. Thanks for the correction Satish. I did not know about it :))

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