"Raabta" | Disappoints at all levels
If you love a protracted plot, clichéd dialogues and unnecessary acting, Raabta is the movie for you.
Two great actors Kriti Sanon and Sushant Singh Rajput could have managed to do much better if the chemistry was natural. Shiv (Sushant) is a middle class playboy from Punjab who has come to Budapest as a banker. He jumps from a bridge in the middle of the night to make stories for his children. Saira (Kriti) is a vanity filled girl who makes chocolates. She suffers from aquaphobia and is unable to sleep due to her nightmares and talks to her deceased parents looking in a mirror, delusioned that they are there.
Shiv, on one of his innumerable dates finds Saira and is head over heels for her. Predictably enough, Saira is also struck by cupid’s arrow. She tries to keep him away, but ultimately they kiss the second time they meet on her cue. To top this, they are exchanging lollypops soon after. They feel a connection they’ve never felt before and so, Saira breakups with her boyfriend of four months but not before telling us that she’s been on innumerable candlelight dinners , long drives and seen many sunrises with him.
A movie is incomplete without antagonists (obviously). So, we are now introduced to Zakir (Jim Sarbh) who exchanges heroic dialogues with Shiv about possessing Saira. I’ve categorically used the word possession because she is more of an object than a person here.
All this was far better than what was about to come. The movie plot believes that a soul never dies. The connection between Shiv, Saira and Zack (Zakir) dates back to their past lives. This part has been beautifully shot; although it’s shamelessly nonsensical and doesn’t make sense. There are a number of men in Game of Thrones themed costumes fighting over territories. Shiv and Saira’s fight sequence reminds you of Jodha Akbar implicitly. Shiv and Saira fall in love again and Saira dies for the love of Shiv, explaining the connection.
When we are brought back we are lost somewhere between the illogical past and the unexplainable present. The similarities between the climaxes of both the janam (birth) makes you wonder why everything needs to be so elaborately explained.
One of the scenes towards the end resembles Titanic. The movie talks about everything from astrology to cosmic activities (love comet).
Sushant is putting a lot of effort in establishing his charm which ruins his character completely. He comes out as a vest clad superficial lad. Kriti has done a great work and has certainly honed her acting skills. She can be termed as the only ray of hope in the entire movie. Jim Sarbh comes as a great disappointment as the antagonist. His perverse dialogue delivery makes you think if he is the same actor from Neerja. It would have been better if the debut of Dinesh Vijan had waited for something more appealing. Go for the movie if you just want to sit on comfortable chairs in an air conditioned hall with all the noise in the background.
