Two
decades
ago,
the
Mansoor
Khan-helmed
Qayamat
Se
Qayamat
Tak,
starring
two
newcomers
[Aamir
Khan,
Juhi
Chawla],
focused
on
teenage
love,
with
parental
opposition
acting
as
an
obstacle.
The
story
wasn't
new,
but
the
treatment
was
fresh
and
inventive.
QSQT
remains
one
of
the
finest
reference
films
in
this
genre
and
rightly
so!
Jaane
Tu
Ya
Jaane
Na
is
a
love
story
as
well,
but
it's
more
of
an
Archie-Jughead-Veronica-Betty
kind
of
a
plot,
set
in
the
current
milieu.
We
witnessed
a
gist
of
it
a
few
years
ago
in
the
Shahid
Kapur
launch
pad
Ishq
Vishk.
Jaane
Tu
Ya
Jaane
Na
doesn't
dare
to
be
different.
Basically
a
simple
tale
about
a
group
of
friends,
it
focuses
on
one
couple
that's
in
love,
but
is
in
a
state
of
denial.
Haven't
we
watched
similar
love
stories
in
the
past,
you
may
ask.
Sure,
we
have,
but
the
execution
of
the
subject
makes
all
the
difference.
Large
portions
of
Jaane
Tu
Ya
Jaane
Na
have
been
executed
well
by
debutante
director
Abbas
Tyrewala,
but
the
problem
lies
in
the
second
hour
when
the
film
gets
lengthy
and
also,
a
few
tracks
throw
a
spanner
in
the
otherwise
smooth
proceedings.
Even
the
climax,
although
well
shot,
is
passe
[very
filmy
in
an
otherwise
real
film],
since
a
number
of
films
have
had
similar
endings.
Yet,
despite
the
shortcomings,
Jaane
Tu
Ya
Jaane
Na
works
for
a
number
of
solid
reasons
and
that's
what
the
viewer
carries
home.
A
decent
fare
that
takes
you
back
to
your
adolescence,
when
friends
seem
to
be
the
be-all
and
end-all.
Jai
[
Imraan
Khan]
and
Aditi
[Genelia]
are
buddies.
In
fact,
they
hang
out
with
their
group
of
friends,
but
have
eyes
for
each
other
only.
Their
friends
know
that
Jai
and
Aditi
are
perfect
for
each
other.
Their
parents
know
this
as
well.
Everybody
knows
this.
But
the
couple
doesn't.
So
when
do
they
realize
its
love?
Don't
expect
fireworks
or
melodrama
in
this
prem
kahani.
It's
an
extremely
simple,
uncomplicated
tale
that
never
goes
over
the
top.
The
bonding
amongst
friends
is
well
established.
So
is
the
relationship
that
Ratna
Pathak
Shah
shares
with
her
deceased
husband's
portrait
[reminds
you
of
Ashok
Saraf-Priya
Tendulkar
relationship
in
the
popular
comedy
show
Hum
Paanch].
Besides,
the
two
[popular]
songs
that
come
in
the
initial
reels
--
'Kabhi
Kabhi'
and
'Pappu
Can't
Dance'
--
only
spice
up
the
proceedings.
The
arrival
of
the
'third
angle'
in
this
love
story
[Manjari
Phadnis]
is
perfect.
Everything
is
faultless
in
the
first
hour.
But
the
second
hour
lets
you
down.
The
Ayaz-Genelia
relationship
is,
again,
well
developed,
but
the
second
hour
gets
a
tad
lengthy.
But
what
looks
completely
out
of
place
in
this
light
and
breezy
entertainer
is
the
Rajput
connection
and
how
it
saves
the
lead
man
from
the
cop
[Paresh
Rawal].
This
track
irritates!
Also,
the
climax,
set
in
an
airport,
is
beaten
to
death.
There's
no
novelty
in
it,
since
we've
seen
the
same
ending
in
film
after
film.
Abbas
Tyrewala
has
the
makings
of
a
fine
director.
A.R.
Rahman's
music
is
already
a
rage
and
the
two
songs
at
the
start
are
superb
compositions.
Cinematography
is
excellent.
Every
member
of
the
cast
stands
out,
but
the
film
belongs
to
Imran
and
Genelia.
Imran
has
been
presented
as
the
boy-next-door
and
that
works
in
his
favor.
He
has
screen
presence
and
acts
very
well
for
a
first
timer.
Most
importantly,
he
looks
the
part.
Genelia
adds
freshness
to
her
scenes.
What
makes
you
take
to
Genelia
is
her
spontaneity.
Also,
the
mischievous
look
in
her
eyes
conveys
sorrow
with
equal
ease.
Wish
to
see
more
of
her
in
Hindi
movies!
Manjari
is
a
complete
natural.
She
is
very
effective.
The
group
of
friends
--
Karan
[as
Rotlu],
Alishka
[as
Bombs],
Nirav
[as
Jiggy]
and
Sughanda
[as
Shaleen]
--
are
excellent.
Each
compliments
the
other
well.
Ratna
Pathak
Shah
is
highly
competent.
Jayant
Kripalani
and
Anuradha
Patel
[as
Genelia's
parents]
are
sweet.
Pratiek
Babbar
[as
Genelia's
brother]
springs
a
pleasant
surprise.
He
is
flawless
in
an
unconventional
role.
Ayaz
Khan
[as
Genelia's
fiance]
registers
a
strong
impact.
A
good
actor!
Rajat
Kapoor
and
Kitu
Gidwani
[as
Manjari's
parents]
are
fair.
Naseeruddin
Shah
is
in
terrific
form.
Paresh
Rawal,
again,
is
wonderful.
Arbaaz
Khan
and
Sohail
Khan
irritate,
mainly
because
the
roles
don't
work.
On
the
whole,
Jaane
Tu
Ya
Jaane
Na
is
a
breezy
entertainer
which
will
be
loved
by
its
target
audience
--
the
youth.
At
the
box-office,
business
at
multiplexes
should
ensure
a
speedy
recovery
for
this
moderate
budget
film.
A
profitable
venture!