'Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ Review

'Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ Review
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma
Direction: Yash Chopra

The King of Romance behind the camera directing the Badshah of Romance in front of the camera. And a script that boasts of solid, never-ending love. No, there cannot be a better way to portray love on the silver screen.

There is a basis why Yash Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan are called the Kings of Romance, they have managed to intertwine one memorable love story after the other that remains etched in our memories. 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan', Yash Chopra's last directorial project had created ample pre-release buzz and the anticipation in the theatre was obvious. 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' is yet another impossible love story made believable by the conviction of the makers.

Samar Anand (Shah Rukh) does odd jobs in London for sustenance, unnecessary to say our quintessential Bollywood hero is versatile; he croons, he grooves, he has a heart of gold and he is charmer all the way. On a cold London night, while cleaning snow from the sidewalks, Samar falls for the beautiful Meera (Katrina Kaif), Indian billionaire's daughter who is always negotiating with God and cutting deals to accomplish her unfulfilled wishes. Quite visibly their love for each other is mired by impossibilities.

Yash Chopra romances are historically high on sacrifices and the two besotted lovers are driven apart by circumstances. Our polite odd-job man is now Major Samar Anand, nicknamed 'The man who cannot die' because of his daredevil acts of courage. Rookie documentary filmmaker, Akira (Anushka Sharma) wants to movie the fearless bomb squad head and needless to say, the feisty kudi soon finds herself falling hook, line and sinker for our strong army man.

At 47, Shah Rukh, still strikes the right notes as the typical romantic hero. Anushka acts her part with ease but Katrina still needs to work on getting the emotional parts right.

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh in an extended cameo make for a pleasant watch; and the scene where Neetu Singh meets Katrina is unusually moving. Anupam Kher as Meera’s dad doesn’t really have a lot to do.

Cut to direction. Only somebody like Yash Chopra could have made those mesmerizing locales of Pehalgam and Ladakh come alive on celluloid. London, on the other hand, is beautiful – be it in winter, rain or summer.

Rahman's music too doesn't really grow on you after you have watched the movie. AR Rahman’s music in the film somewhere seems underused. The songs ‘Challa’, ‘Ishq Shava’ and ‘Saans Mein’ are a delight to the ears. The Master Musician’s ‘Heer’ is a beautiful song. The numbers are hummable, and nice ones; but just that. They aren’t exactly exceptional. We’ve had better specimens from Rahman in the past, and will sure have better ones in the future.

JTHJ doesn't quite stand out like some of Yash Chopra's earlier works and the pace of the second half seems to drag a bit. It's just that when you watch the movie, the canvas is pleasing, the characters are lovely and the story restores your faith in good, in love and in impossible relationships.

Yash Chopra, you made sure that you will live on and that your last film will be remembered - jab tak hai jaan!

On the whole, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ is an absolute love and romance saga and worth to watch it.