Release Date: 19th September 2014
Starring: Sonam Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Kirron Kher, Ratna Pathak, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aamir Raza Hussain
Directed by: Shashank Ghosh
Music: Sneha Khanwalkar
Duration: 2 hours 12 minutes
Executing the task of remaking a classic can really be a hard nut to crack! At least that is what we have learnt from the mistakes a lot many directors have made in the past. But if you manage to do it triumphantly, it reinvigorates the sweet memories of the yester years which have been stashed under the canvas of the modern day cinema. The much-hyped remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Khoobsurat has the same effect on you. Produced under the epic banner of Disney, the film is like a cinematized version of a fairy tale that every girl may have grown up fantasizing about.
Plot: A high profile physiotherapist, Dr. Mili Chakraborty, is sent to a royal palace for treating the Maharaja. With a spontaneous personality and a carefree heart, she is totally a misfit for the royalty! How does Mili spread the magic of her colorful persona in a house which has forgotten how to laugh, is what Khoobsurat picturizes!
Performances: It is quite difficult to judge Sonam Kapoor for her acting skills because there has always been a major contrast between her performances. While on one hand in Aisha we saw a completely dud side of hers, she totally amazed us in Raanjhanaa! Her performance in Khoobsurat lies somewhere between the two films. Much better than her usual performances but not as good as she can potentially be. Her overly active persona in the film and her efforts to look cute could have been a tad less.
It may be Sonam’s loud character that gets noticed but it is Fawad Khan ultra-chic look that steals away all the attention! He can easily be deemed as the quintessential prince-charming of the real world. With such a sultry demeanor and a super-magical performance one can only wonder how he can be so pitch-perfect! You can never take your eyes off this man even for a second.
Ratna Pathak looks amazingly graceful in her role. Her perfection of elegance is something we have already seen in Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai.
Kirron Kher is exceptionally brilliant as a typical Punjabi mother! Even though she has been doing the similar kinds of role from quite some time, she still manages to bring the much required variation in her characters.
Music: The music of the film actually epitomizes the name of the film! The entire album is beautifully composed with freshness and novelty. Each song has its own magic that captivates your heart. The best ones from the lot could be Bum Dole and Abhi toh party shuru hui hai.
What’s Good: The fairy-tale effect which brings back childhood memories, the subtle rom-com, the music score and to save the best for the last- Fawad Khan. Sonam’s eccentric attire also needs to be praised.
What’s Bad: The annoying loudness of Sonam Kapoor and a loosely baked plot!
Owing to the touted claims of a remake, Khoobsurat will be dragged to the realm of comparison with the classic. But to enjoy a film with its individuality, it is always better to avoid comparing it with the other. Khoobsurat may not be the perfect remake but it does have its own charm. The charm of fairy-tales and fascinating romance! Besides every little reason, it has Fawad Khan who alone makes this film a must watch!
Verdict: Watch Khoobsurat if you believe in fairy-tale romance.
Rating: ***
