Fitoor Movie Review

Release Date: 12 February 2016

Starring: Aditya Roy Kapur, Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Aditi Rao Hydari, Rahul Bhat, Lara Dutta, Akshay Oberoi, Suchitra Pillai, Govind Namdev, Delbar Arya

Directed by: Abhishek Kapoor

Produced by: Abhishek Kapoor, Siddharth Roy Kapur

Production company: UTV Motion Pictures

Music by: Amit Trivedi (Songs), Hitesh Sonik (Background score)

Written by: Abhishek Kapoor, Supratik Sen

Cinematography: Anay Goswamy

Duration: 2 hrs and 11 mins (running time)

Genres: Drama, Romance

Censor Rating: U

Two love stories, ‘Fitoor’ and ‘Sanam Re’, clashing this Valentine’s week. While both the films are buzzing with their own bits of gossips and are promoting their USP, here is my take on ‘Fitoor’.

About the Movie Fitoor

It is not for the first time the director Abishek Kapoor is bringing a story from a book to celluloid. His movie ‘Kai Po Che!’ was also adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s novel Three Mistakes of My Life, and was critically acclaimed. This surely is one of the reasons why we are keeping ‘great expectations’ from Fitoor which is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel ‘Great Expectations’!

A love story of Noor and Firdaus, set against the awe inspiring charm of Kashmir, the ravishing actress Tabu, Aditya Roy Kapur with his overpowering well-toned body, and of course the gorgeous Katrina Kaif with her dramatic red hair, together sizzled in the trailer, like an elegant poetry. So let us find out if Abishek Kapoor, who has given hits like rock musical drama ‘Rock On!!’ and the story of friendship, ‘Kai Po Che!’, is able to spell the magic of love with this enigmatic love ballad – ‘Fitoor’, this Valentines’!

The Plot of Fitoor

‘Fitoor’ is the story of Noor, a young Kashmiri boy who is smitten by Firdaus, daughter of Begum, the wealthiest woman in the town. Over the years, the teenage love deepens into Noor’s obsession for a girl who belongs to a very different world. He strives to be acknowledged and accepted as Firdaus’s mother does not find him to be a fitting match to meet the standards of the elite society and due to her personal reasons she always retaliates against his love. Will Noor be able to win Firdaus heart?

Performances in the film Fitoor

With Fitoor, director Abhishek Kapoor once again has proved that he knows what he is doing and of his stupendous vision of bringing a script to life. Through ‘Fitoor’ he has narrated a story depicting all shades of love – innocence, want, obsession, gloom and pain, set against the heavenly charm of Kashmir, simply with brilliance.

Aditya Roy Kapur as Noor delivered a balanced performance though in a few scenes where he gets drunk, he reminds of his role in Aashiqui 2. His dedication towards his character is inevitable and as Noor, he makes one feel empathetic. Katrina Kaif plays his muse Firdaus and has never looked so stunning before. But, when it comes to her performance, she misses to bring the right emotions to her character and lacks eloquent dialogue delivery.

The versatile actress Tabu as Begum Hazrat, the Indian version of Miss Havisham of the novel ‘Great Expectations’ is a stunner in Fitoor. Be it the pain behind her dark circled eyes, her vengeance towards her unfaithful lover or the ache of her broken heart, she will make you feel every bit of her character with her nazaakat, poise and elegance. Instead of the leading couple, Aditya and Tabu will woo you with their respective enduring love.

Ajay Devgn is no less than a cherry on the cake with his surprising cameo as he plays Noor’s godfather.

Aditi Rao Hydari as young Begum Hazrat looked ravishing. Rahul Bhat and Lara Dutta were good in their respective roles.

Besides the cinematography and direction, the dialogues of the film have the right amount of passion and depth. Sharing a few personal favourite picks here:

‘Khud Se Azaadi Toh Sirf Maut Hi Dila Sakti Hai Ya Phir Ishq.’

‘Ye ishq nhi aasaan Noor miyaan, ya to dooboge ya tair ke nikloge’

‘Agar meri kismat mein sirf khaak likha mujhe qubool hai.. Agar ye hi meri aakhri aah hai.. mujhe qubool hai..’

And, here is the one which did not fit at all but has been even highlighted in the promos – “doodh maangoge toh kheer denge/Kashmir maangoge toh cheer denge”.

The Music of Fitoor:

A soulful music is quintessential and expected for a Bollywood romantic drama and the music album ‘Fitoor’ absolutely makes one fall in love with it and with everything about love. Amit Trivedi and lyricist Swanand Kirkire are sure to steal hearts with their exceptional compositions for the film, leaving you awestruck. Be it Arijit Singh’s voice romancing every word of the title track Yeh Fitoor Mera” or the extremely passionate song “Pashmina” sung by Amit Trivedi and Komail Shayan, both the initial releases from the album are addictive and soul-stirring.

“Gar firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin ast.” If there is ever a heaven on earth, its here, its here, its here.These words by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir aptly express the beauty of Kashmir, but for the film, the song “Haminastu” sung by Pakistani singer Zeb Bangansh, these words are also describing the eternal beauty of the leading lady, Firdaus. The song is unique and has been sung by a melodious voice.

The simplicity of the song “Hone Do Batiyan” makes it again one of my favourites from the movie and it has a Kashmiri feel to it. If you are a hopelessly romantic at heart, then “Tere Liye” is another song that is addictive and passionate, sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Jubin Nautiyal. 

“Ranga Re” has two versions – Hindi one in the voice of Sunidhi Chauhan and Caralisa Monteiro sings the English version. Amit Trivedi closing the songs with his sensual voice, Hindi version being comparatively better.

Overall, the album of ‘Fitoor’ is simply addictive and gratifying.

Details of songs in the movie:

Song: “Yeh Fitoor Mera”

Singer: Arijit Singh

Duration: 04 mins 43 secs

Song: “Pashmina”

Singers: Amit Trivedi, Komail Shayan

Duration: 04 mins 43 secs

Song: “Haminastu”

Singer: Zeb Bangash

Duration: 04 mins 20 secs

Song: “Hone Do Batiyan”

Singers: Nandini Srikar, Zeb Bangash

Duration: 04 mins 30 secs

Song: “Tere Liye”

Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan, Jubin Nautiyal

Duration: 04 mins 31 secs

Song: “Ranga Re (Hindi)”

Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan, Amit Trivedi

Duration: 04 mins 49 secs

Song: “Ranga Re (English)”

Singers: Caralisa Monteiro, Amit Trivedi

Duration: 04 mins 49 secs

What’s good: Fitoor is like an art in motion and a cinematic masterpiece to be felt, admired and applauded. Abhishek Kapoor, take a bow and a big thank you for painting a tale of love and obsession so gracefully. And, I would like to pay my gratitude to Amit Trivedi and Swanand Kirkire, for making the movie immortal with their soulful musical enigma. Besides this, Tabu is an absolute show-stealer in Fitoor.

What’s bad: The movie is not flawless but you want to ignore all the blemishes when there is so much praiseworthy. Though the three main characters of the film have been given most of the limelight, a little more detailing could have added the right magic. The story stretches and unfolds at a slower pace specially in the first half and rushes soon after the climax. Somewhere, you feel the spark is missing among the leading pair as well as in entirety.

Verdict: Watch Fitoor for its admirable aesthetic appeal and simplicity.

P.S.: If you cannot stand too much of hopelessly in love kind of stories, it is not what you would like to watch.

Fitoor Rating: *** and a half

Trivia about Fitoor!

  • ‘Fitoor’ is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ popular novel Great Expectations. Now, since the premier of its trailer, the movie is being compared to ‘Haider’, which was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous play – Hamlet. Now, is that a co-incidence?
  • Initially, when the making of the Fitoor was announced by UTV Motion Pictures in 2013, veteran actress Rekha was confirmed for the role of Begum Hazrat. Later, Tabu replaced her, though the team and the actress herself are tight-lipped about the reasons. But if rumors are to be believed the reasons are many – Rekha ji had other projects to work on? She was not satisfied with her looks in the movie after she had shot half of the film? Her character in the movie was too close to her real self which made it difficult for her? Well, we won’t comment on this one!
  • Mainly the film has been shot in Kashmir, Delhi, and Mehboob Studios, Filmistan Studios and Film City in Mumbai. However, you would get to see the contemporary art galleries of Warsaw and the Goetz Palace as a few portions were shot in Poland.
  • Katrina Kaif’s luscious, red hair in the film ‘Fitoor’ costs whooping Rs. 55 lakhs! Raise your hands if you believed it to be true? Well, according to the actress herself, the news is baseless and sensationalized piece of rumor. UK hair expert Daniel Galvin was roped in to colour her hair. He has even styled tresses of Madonna and the late Princess Diana.
  • As per reports, Aditya Roy Kapur had to reject two big banner movies as he was busy shooting for Fitoor and did not want to waver his concentration. After being seen in Daawat-e-Ishq that was released in 2014, Aditya is back on the silver screen with his chiseled looks to woo his fans. We really hope the his hard work and commitment pays off. Good luck to you, Adi!
  • Harshaali Malhotra, the sweetheart Munni of Banjrangi Bhaijaan was offered the role of junior Firdaus but her mother turned down the offer.
  • And yes! Ajay Devgn is seen in a cameo in Fitoor! 🙂

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