The first time I read about KJo was in sunday times when he was 25; touted as something I cant recollect now. Then came his first, Kuch kuch hota hain and I was a little shocked. While majority of the world fell in love with it, one question kept haunting me; what if Rani Mukherjee wouldn't have died? Would the love still have happened? And what kind of circumstantial love is that: based on someone’s death? For me, there were too many blind spots. One being, SRK did not fall in love with the tomboy but with the revamped Indian woman who throughout was the same person. Another was if Rani Mukherjee would have been alive, would there have been an extra marital affair between SRK and Kajol? Would KANK have happened earlier? It haunted me.
Over time, he made more movies (as a director, producer) and I believe with each one, he touched a particular target market. KKHH for the juvenile, K3G for the families and Dostana for the audiences who come to the cinema halls for mere entertainment and laughter. The one that I can pick as almost perfect is “Wake Up Sid” - simple, uncomplicated and one that connects right away. No larger than life drama, sets, family values or designer clothing; a story of a spoilt brat and a charming woman who meet, share moments together, and fall in love. The ending is a love-confession and Indian audiences possibly go back with “happily ever after” ..... the shaadi vaadi, bachha vachha and stuff :P. However, KJo wins here only for the production credit.
I like KJo, lesser for direction, more for the persona he is. On star world, when he coffees with who’s who and who’s not who of bollywood; he is a charmer. He tries to reveal the persona of people from his worklife; the stars, yesteryear beauty queens and actors, directors and so forth. He is no Oprah or Jay Leno, but it feels like he is honest and he sure is sheer fun. Its apparent, that bollywood loves him and so does the media. For me, as a person living in mumba for the past 14 monthsi and reading Bombay times, its kinda easy to take a punt on media’s blue eyed boys and girls. If I were to pick top 3, I would say Salman Khan, KJo and Kangana Ranaut. Media loves these people. Then later in life, with movies in the forefront and coffee shows by the side, KJo launches his label. He impresses me with his versatility and therefore I like him. He is a persona, one aspires to be. And therefore in spite of the fact that his directorial ventures have never made it to my favorite list, I watch his movies no matter what. Because, his movies reveal a part of him. They may not be my top favorites but they have moments with magic induced in them. Each of his movie probably does. And though, his unified aim may be to only boost Dharma productions revenue and legacy; I believe every initiative of his has a heart. Or may be I like to believe; that’s the person I think he is.
So I watched “We are family” and I am not the target market that is impressed with it. I didn't hate it either but I was sad for the director to import majority of the “Stepmom” screenplay as is. That’s pathetic. If you are a person who follows bollywood as much as hollywood; the only impression you will go back with is “what powerhouse of actresses Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon are” and how gripping and heartfelt stepmom continues to be all these years. In the theatre, I could actually hear Julia telling Susan Sarandon “You are mother earth ..... You know every scar, every wound” ...... and that is what stepmom did to us. The relationship between a daughter and mother, evolving adult relationships, on bonding and love - Stepmom delivered an almost perfect score. Comparing that to “We are family”, I felt what a sorry effort. Real SORRY. SORRY read in capital letters. WAF miserably fails to touch like Stepmom did at every measurable parameter of assessment; if there was one.
However, I understand, that for the Indian women, who don’t follow hollywood or know of Julia and Susan, this movie will still make its mark. A friend of mine saw a husband consoling his crying wife after the movie was over. I must admit, though, that the movie has its moments and conspicuously very few. One original customization is a peppy bollywood karaoke. Kareena and Kajol are both decent, but no “powerhouse actress” effect whatsoever. One major letdown is superficial reference to cervical cancer. Given that the government of India is spreading awareness of cervical cancer, the director could have just educated the audience a tad more on this cancer and making the death or disease more impactful. Shame of a letdown.
If you like KJo, like me, in all likelihood you will watch this one too. The others, may not. Few of us will slaughter it, but I have begun to know that if it doesn't connect to me; it probably does to some target market in India. Our country may actually be all the diverse cultures in Europe, so yes, the market that likes the movie may exist.
You ask me today, and I would say “If I was Anjali * Kajol in KKHH * I would dump SRK, marry a kinder Salman Khan, have great sex, make babies, and live happily ever after. Why on earth would I marry a widower, who is less hotter, has an eight year old dramatic child and who did not love me as a tomboy when I was the same person on the inside?” I just don't get it :P.
