Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani: Clean fun entertainer

Rating: 4 out of 5*

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Upen Patel

Director: Rajkumar Santoshi

Prem (Ranbir) is a happy go lucky fun loving chap staying in a small town. But problems follow him everywhere even when he is all set to do something good for others. Prem along with his friends runs a “Happy Club’ which believes in joining hearts of lovers. Following some misunderstandings, Prem loses his heart to new girl in town Jenny (Katrina). He finds out she is an orphan staying with a heartless family. Prem’s friends motivate him to tell her his “dil ki baat’ and he tries all his level best to match Jenny’s choices. After a month long gap of staying away from Jenny he is finally all set to tell her his feelings, he finds her house locked and family migrated to Goa to forcibly marry her to a cash rich idiot. He goes to Goa to seek her but only to be shocked by her revelation that she loves one Rahul (Upen) and wants to elope and get married to him. Heartbroken but not dejected, Prem decides to bring the two lovers together. But complications arise further. What chaos it all leads to as Prem goes all out to make the Jenny-Rahul marriage happen, forms the rest of this fun filled entertainer.

Rajkumar Santoshi is back in form after a many years. Comedy has always been his main forte as his Andaz Apna Apna has achieved cult status in last 15 years. Here he has balanced both romance and comedy very well. His narrative keeps you hooked right from the word go. Santoshi has also picked up the right character actors which contribute immensely to the madcap proceedings. Production values are of high standards. Some scenes that have turned out well in terms of writing, direction and acting are the dance party sequence, Katrina slapping Ranbir after she feels he is aping her stammering only to realize he has the same defect as well, Ranbir masquerading in a girlie top when a girl’s parents come to see him and of course the howlarious climax action.

One of the biggest contributors of the film is its music by Pritam. All the songs are ruling the charts and their positioning in the film and picturisation make them even better.

Ranbir showcases what powerhouse of talent he is. He is not only loveable in the funny moments but is excellent in the emotional sequences. Katrina Kaif is in top form too. She balances her funny portions equally well with her emotional ones. Both Ranbir and Katrina make a wonderful fresh jodi as they share a crackling chemistry. Upen Patel fits the role to the T. Pradeep Kharab as Katrina’s suitor is very funny. Darshan Jariwala and Smita Jaykar playing Ranbir’s parents are first-rate. Zakir Hussain and Govind Namdeo are loud but funny. The actors playing Ranbir’s friends are just too good.

After a real long time a good clean hearted romantic comedy has come to the cinema halls which can be enjoyed with the entire family. Go for it guys. Watch it for seeing Santoshi get back in form and Ranbir-Katrina emerge as the new hot jodi of Hindi cinema.