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3 years ago today… Revisiting ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’

Farhan-Hrithik-Abhay in 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'

Release date: 15th July 2011

Director: Zoya Akhtar

*ing: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kali Koechlin & more

When you think back to perhaps a peak of the male-bonding fad of Bollywood films, one may well remember ��Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara�۪ which released three years ago on this day. After 2001�۪s ��Dil Chahta Hai�۪ when three men came together for a boys trip, this was a film which added to that in many ways. Zoya Akhtar�۪s directorial expertise was exact in bringing her co-written project ��� with Reema Kagti ��� to the screen with full-on fun, emotion and flair and with unforgettable credentials.

��Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara�۪ follows the story of three men, Arjun (Roshan), Imraan (Farhan) and Kabir (Deol) who embark on a trip to Spain before the latter gets wed. They both take to the road, not quite ready to encompass their own fears but each with a clear motive in mind for their individual journeys. During their time, they meet Laila (Katrina Kaif) who encourages each one to face their fears in various ways and also, in the process, ends up falling for Arjun; unbeknown to him at the time. When the trio move on in the weeks they are on the holiday, Imraan comes face to face with his father, played by Naseeruddin Shah and Kabir is also forced to come to terms with his relationship with his wife-to-be, Natasha (Kalki Koechlin).

It has to be said that the reason this film is held so close to people�۪s hearts has a lot to do with Akhtar�۪s vision as a director. She brings the stories to the forefront in ways that aren�۪t preaching, and definitely not insulting to the audience�۪s intelligence. There is a certain kind of journey she wants the audiences to go on with the characters and to see that there will be obstacles, flaws and inhibitions contained within that journey. Kaif is brought in as a breath of fresh and the laugh-out-loud moments can be watched over and over with the same amount of enjoyment every time. Akhtar�۪s style is something she is very unique at as a filmmaker and this multi-starrer almost immediately becomes one of the best seen in recent times.

Roshan, Farhan and Deol are great playing friends who come together after a number of years to go on a holiday that they had said they would go on in their earlier years. They all also provide vocals to the song Senorita, making it one of the most magical songs of the film, complete with essential Spanish glamour. Farhan also triples up as the writer of dialogues in the film and is absolutely triumphant in catching the essence of every scene, be it comical or emotional. Deol�۪s character is at the centre of the story somewhat and this was refreshing for the audience to see him playing such a role. Kaif�۪s fresh-faced and Anglo-Asian persona as Laila is perfect for her and Koechlin is the annoying yet loving fianc̩e with much ease.

The soundtrack of the film, composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, is the soul of the movie with the more melodious and pensive lyrics to match easily becoming the film�۪s necessity. Aside from the ever popular Senorita, Khwaabon Ke Parindey and also Sooraj Ki Baahon Mein are much loved out of the mix. Dil Dhadakne Do becomes the song of the climax and perhaps the peak of the trio�۪s friendship whereas Ik Junoon, filmed at the Tomatina Festival, is one of the most refreshing picturisations in cinema in a long time.

Overall, ��Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara�۪ has a soul which resonates ��� there are no two ways about it. There is no one reason for this but simply all the credentials put together and Bizasia congratulates the team on this third year since the film�۪s release.