Film: Kismat Konnection
Director: Aziz Mirza
Producers: Kumar S Taurani & Ramesh S Taurani
Presenter: Tips Films
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Juhi Chawla, Om Puri, Vishal Malhotra, Himani Shivpuri, Manoj Bohra, Dimple Sharma, Boman Irani and others
Rating: 2.5/5
Why does it always happen that established directors, having delivered notable successes in the past have to one day start re-showing all that they have already shown before? Kismat Konnection, a meant-to-be-lovable staple Aziz Mirza feel good rom-com is full of such tendencies, never really garnering any merit on its own.
The story is that of a young, achiever, ace-student who just can’t get it right in the real world. Unemployed ever since he graduated he finds his lucky charm in a girl (Balan) and pursues a path to gain her friendship to gain the luck he needs. This leads to him falling in love with the damsel and sooner or later her reciprocating but not before a number of other difficulties are ironed out as well.
The movie has a trademark Mirza stamp with the child-like hero, simple and trusting heroine and the corporate world full of sharks. It also has its innate charm and the colour of his sanguine love stories that made us cry and laugh in the 90’s
It’s funny how Yes Boss was never reminiscent of Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman even though both had a number of similarities yet how Kismat Konnection has an undue hangover of both. Not that the movie does not manage to create a world and charm of its own but the palpable froth and feel-good-ness of the former two movies is missing in this one.
The film gives this a complete short-shrift and makes it a story of a man chasing his dreams via luck and finding his love on the way. The revelation has a slightly dampening effect as the love story takes and continues to take a back seat among the rest of the proceedings almost becoming a by-the-by. Not a very healthy track for a peppy rom-com to take.
The film does not let one settle down and this not in a pleasant edgy way of ‘what-happens-next!’ Series of songs, hamming and unnecessary episodes of forced humour spoil the fun all the more. Not to mention several in-your-face hints about future decisions of the man and the lady and the movie are going to take.
Of the whole cast, Shahid Kapoor and Balan turn up a bright performance despite the several holes in their characters. They manage to imbue a sense of friendship, connection and goodwill in their chemistry that is very well worth watching. Balan brings in a freshness that is a marked relief from her over-wrought over-done performances of the past while Kapoor steals a lot of limelight as the man around whom the whole movie turns. He carries emotional moments with a restraint that his lighter performances may do well with.
Om Puri and Vishal Malhotra are strictly average in caricatured roles which have nothing much for them to do. Juhi Chawla is as gregarious and charming in her guest appearance and one realises why she was the perfect Mirza heroine. Boman Irani in a special appearance is surprising but screenplay-wise almost a convenience.
The film has several holes and is definitely not a Yes Boss. But it has its heart in the right place if not the screenplay. It might be a bit common-place but its worth once-a-watch for lovers of rom-coms. We don’t get many with their heart in the right place these days.
