Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota (YHTKH) is one of the few recent films that has high expectations both from audiences as well as the film fraternity. One of the most important reasons for these high expectations is that the film has been directed by Naseeruddin Shah. He is a veteran actor who has done some really fine and intelligent work both in theater and films. YHTKH will be his first directorial venture. Though the film is Naseer’s first directorial venture, Naseer has decided to depict the film through a series of short stories. There are four parallel stories which have a common thread. The film no doubt portrays a unique and different storyline. And the audiences for such a film also mainly includes those who are interested in watching something different.
The film delves into the issue of what if things had not happened like this but in another way, but this has been done in a subtle way so that audiences reach this conclusion rather than the director forcing it down on his audiences. The film deals with four different stories but the common thread between them is that all the four protagonists want to reach America. Today for many people living in India going to America is no longer a much cherished dream and hence for some it may seem an annoyingly irrational desire, but unfortunately there are many who even today harbor a long cherished dream of going to America and living the American dream so to them it is a completely identifiable goal.
YHTKH has been produced by Shabbir Boxwala and directed by Naseer. The film stars an eclectic mix of both veteran and newcomers. Nonetheless the cast ranges from brilliant to average and even those who have small parts do so capably. Some of the stars are Paresh Rawal, Ratna Pathak, Irfan Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Jimmy Shergill, Ayesha Takia, Suhasini Mulay, Saroj Khan, Karan Khanna, Ankur Khanna and Imaad Shah amongst others. There is no commercial song and dance routine but there is the title track which appears in the background and is done by Viju Shah. The story has been written by Uttam Gada. The film is unique, interesting and definitely a novel experience.
YHTKH begins with a voiceover introducing the various characters, the first short story begins with Konkana and Jimmy who are a newly married couple, unfortunately due to an emergency Jimmy has to cut short his honeymoon and return to his workplace, the US. But Konkana wants to be with her husband and also get away from her pesky in-laws. She will do anything it takes to go to the US, including lying and deceiving the US consulate. Then there’s the stockbroker Irfan Khan who is besotted with a much older woman played by Suhasini Mulay. Unfortunately Suhasini considers Irfan as just another man to pass her time with. Irfan is devastated to know that Suhasini is merely using him and along the way he also gets trapped in the murder of one of his clients. His mother fearing for her son’s safety ushers him off to USA.
The third short story revolves around a young boy, Ankur Khanna who is extremely bright and intelligent. He wants to go to America to pursue his education and has already been accepted in one of the top universities there. But the problem is that Ankur does not have the funds to go to America and he also needs to take care of his seriously ailing father. However just when he has given up any hope of pursuing his dreams his dear friend Ayesha Takia decides to help him realize his dreams. Ankur’s dreams are finally turning into reality and he is ready to go to US for a brighter future. The fourth short drama is a sensitive story of Paresh Rawal who helps people get into the US through means of performing different stage shows. In the process Paresh takes a large percent of money for his efforts. However his conscience starts to prick when he meets ex-flame Ratna Pathak who pleads him to give her young daughter a fresh new lease on life in the United States away from her bleak future here. Paresh’s heart melts and he decides to take the girl under his wing and personally decides to show her life in America.
Naseer has managed to intertwine all the sub-plots together and culminate them into a sound screenplay. Uttam Gada has come up with unique and interesting storylines. At first when the four short dramas are taking place, one tends to wonder whether the story line is headed somewhere or not. But eventually as the end slowly draws closer, one realizes the aim of the director. Naseer has stuck to just developing the story line but he has not given the audiences an in your face conclusion. He gives the audiences time to reflect, introspect and then come to their own conclusion. He has used a style that one generally tends to see more often in theaters. He has also managed to make the audiences identify with many situations and characters in the film, but he has successfully steered clear of most commercial trappings. The cinematography is average and the title track too is fine.
However there are a few drawbacks, as at times the director just merely presumes that his audience too will get what he is trying to convey without him actually putting it into words. Not everyone may be able to delve so deeply into a film. Also the climax perhaps fell short and was a bit unclear. No doubt the end was a high point but perhaps something more on the topic could have been delved into as it seemed very abrupt and like something else should have perhaps followed. Unfortunately the pace of the film is too slow at times and there are certain coincidences or flaws which stand out like the death of Ankur’s father at exactly the time when he needs to go and perhaps the reason why Ratna so desperately wants to only send her daughter to the US. Also the style and look of the film does not have a very modern feel to it. Each of the plots have different levels of appreciation but the Ankur Khanna plot has several weak links. Perhaps the script could have been better too.
Nonetheless Naseer has taken the risk of attempting a very different storyline for his first directorial venture, he has also taken a risk while casting and has cast several moderate and fresh actors in his film. In spite of this his first film proves that like acting he intends to excel in everything else he does and he has done a good job in his first film. Naseer has also managed to extract good performances from all his actors, even those with bit parts. Paresh Rawal after a long time has been seen in a role that he does complete justice to, which is emotional, touching and a great performance. Ratna Pathak too is a fine actress and portrays her part in a true to character style. Ankur Khanna gives an average performance for his first film. Ayesha does not have a big role, but does her part with capability.
Imaad Shah, son of Naseer is quite good in the portrayal of his character and seems to be a natural in front of the camera. Konkana Sen Sharma is as usual superb and manages to portray the basic essence of her character very well. Jimmy Shergill too has a bit part but is nonetheless efficient enough. Actress Suhasini Mulay is a complete surprise in this film, the ease and confidence with which she portrays such a daring role that perhaps others would have shied away from is commendable. Irfan Khan again lets his body language and eyes portray his character. He delivers an above average performance.
Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota definitely should be watched to view a different style of story telling, the realistic and very basic plots and the interesting performances which make it a nice film. But if reading between the lines and not having loads of masala is not your style of film, then perhaps the film may not appeal to you. However with several multiplex audiences who seem to be hunting for different and unique films this is worth a watch. YHTKH tends to leave you with several mixed feelings, but then that is perhaps the intention of the director. As for box-office success, the film may not score big time not because the film is bad but merely because its not everyone’s cup of tea.
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| Reviewed By: Rachel Fernandes |
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