Jawaani Jaaneman – Movie Review

Direction
Story
Screenplay
Dialogues
Music

In a nut-shell:

Fun Fare

Cast – Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Alaya Furniturewalla

Directors – Nitin Kakkar

Producer – Saif Ali Khan, Deepshikha Deshmukh, Jackky Bhagnani, Jay Shewakramani

It’s Saif Ali Khan’s safe territory like Cocktail and Salaam Namaste.

Jazz has a roving eye, he’s commitment phobic, wants no permanence in relationships, and life is an endless party.

Until grown-up daughter Tia comes along and she’s pregnant. For young-at-heart Jazz, it’s too much to process in one day. Baap re baap, he’s discovered he’s a dad and now a granddad too. Jazz’s never-ending party seems to be on the verge of winding up.

Writer-director Nitin Kakkar knows he has a predictable outcome he has to reach. Jazz has to grow up and begin yearning for a healthy family life. But being gifted with a flair for humour, Nitin moves towards the expected goal with an engaging sense of fun. It’s the route he takes with wit strewn all along that lifts this father-daughter story and keeps it enjoyable and watchable.

For instance, the scene at the doctor’s when Jazz and Tia anxiously await the results of the DNA test, is more humour than heart-stopping emotional. And there is a bunch of characters you warm up to. Like MrsMallika next door and Jazz’s older brother who leads a conventional family life but never lets down his flamboyant sibling. Rhea at the parlour who colours Jazz’s hair and is his best friend and Rocky, the bar owner who’s amused at Jazz’s transformation once the family man emerges, add a bit more colour to this story set in London.

Saif Ali Khan is in his comfort zone and he sails through it as Jazz. Kubra Sait as Rhea and Kumud Mishra as the brother bring warmth to their roles. Alaya F who makes her debut as Tia is surprisingly charming and confident without being cocky.

Verdict: So, would I recommend this carnival ride with bits of expected emotion? It’s not a must-watch but if you feel like smiling at Jazz’s silliness and want to watch a womaniser change into a likeable dad, you won’t regret it.  

For a light film that works most of the way, Jawaani Jaaneman gets a 3* rating.

Fun FareJawaani Jaaneman - Movie Review