Fate of a person might be determined by his/her stars. But fate of movies are determined not just by stars (the ones on the sky plus the ones on the ground) but by many other factors. This whole idea of making a film version of, Madhu Rye's old classic Gujarati novel 'Kimball Ravenswood", is a smart move. Already there were many versions for theater (a popular one by Naushil Mehta) as well as a hit TV series called Mr. Yogi by film-maker Ketan Mehta, based on the same novel. The idea nonetheless is smart one and contemporary too with the decision of casting same actress for twelve roles playing one girl for each of twelve rashis (sun signs). Now imagine a film which has everything going perfect viz. big banner, top director and a story from a popular best selling novel, is a winner in hand. Right? No, wrong! The positive thing about the film is it is not your run of the mill film but a fresh attempt minus a fresh approach. The screenplay is dull and dragging. The dialogs are uninteresting. It is a half-baked, half hearted attempt. The film not just fails at script level but even the treatment and narrative reminds you of films from 80s. It also has a world record of same actress (Priyanka Chopra), playing twelve different characters but there is not much depth in the twelve distinct characters of the lead actress, in fact many of them look quite similar. It seems the whole effort is gone into giving 12 different get ups to the lead actress rather than infusing some life into the uninspiring characters. . Even if one ignores the astrological features, one would surely be interested in watching twelve different girls who are contrastingly, diverse in characters. It would be interesting if contemporary sex politics would have introduced. To make plot further confusing, a silly subplot of spying on a marriage consultant for extra marital affair, just fails to hold the story together. There are though interesting moments to hold viewer's interest viz. meeting with the jeweler father as well as meeting with prospective bride who asks for pre-nuptial agreement but they are too few and far. A lot more in performances is expected. Other characters too look like boring caricatures i.e. one-dimensional. If that is not enough, the length of 3.30 hrs surely kills you. A lot of trimming is needed. Numerous songs woven in the storyline is an unnecessary measure though songs sound better than the film but in isolation (Music Sohail Sen). If Director Ashutosh Gowariker had attempted a slice of life, subtle, intelligent comedy on the lines of Mr. Yogi, it would have worked better. Worse, the narrative is handled in an old fashioned linear way, whether it is dramatic, romantic or comic, you don't know. It surprises you that this film is coming from the director of brilliant films like Lagaan and Jodha Akbar. It seems makers have more faith in checking the rashi of film rather than checking the pulse of audience.
Review of What's Your Raashee?
