Love Aaj Kal 2
Ratings: 1.5/5
Duration: 2 Hrs 22 Mins
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Genre: Romance
Release Date: 14th February 2020 (India)
Star Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, Randeep Hooda, Arushi Sharma, Shweta Padda, Eesh, R. Bhakti Klein
Plot: Zoe Chauhan played by Sara Ali Khan is against the serious long-term relationships and believes in chilling out in night clubs, dancing her heart away and prefers to remain focused in pursuing her career until she achieves her goal.
Since, ‘Love’ brings along with it a plethora of feelings and meanings, which has constantly changed over time, another love story from the past is brought in, to make Zoe question her own choices.
Review: ‘Love Aaj Kal 2’ 2020 is in the same format as that of the hugely successful film Love Aaj Kal, which was released back in 2009, which was written and directed by Imtiaz Ali. This time, he has done a little to improve on the original and done more to ruin the Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer film.
The story showcases the contrast between the complex and messed-up contemporary urban love and the traditional small town-love that was difficult yet simple. But complex love stories should either deal with complex characters or complex stories as mixing both will only make the audience feel confused.
To accommodate the film’s non-linear narrative, the flashback story is interrupted way too many times and there’s barely any light moments, while the film’s emotionally charged narrative is casual in its approach.
When it comes to performances, though Sara Ali Khan has an imposing screen presence and looks gorgeous she falls short of convincingly pulling off the complexity of her fiercely independent character and doesn’t quite make you connected to Zoe.
While, Kartik Aaryan is good as the boyish Raghu, whose transformation from a timid lovelorn small-towner to a big-city Casanova, is believable. But it’s Randeep Hooda, the underrated actor who looks quite dapper, leaves a lasting impression even with lesser screen time. Quite like Rishi Kapoor’s character in the original, he is aptly cast for the role. Whereas Arushi Sharma, who plays the role of Leena delivers a quite effective performance.
Overall, the script is poorly written, the narrative is tedious, the screenplay is ruined with a slow and boring first half which is followed by a seemingly predictable second half. Even the limited characterization and the sub-par direction is heart-breaking.
As far as the music is concerned, the songs are possibly the only decent part of the film, composed by Pritam. Sung by Arijit Singh, Darshan Raval, and Antara Mitraare, Shayad, and Mehrama are the ones to look out for. But the songs don’t work, when set in the context of the film, as they don’t further the plot, intensify the emotion, or lend any substance to the faltering storyline.
Watch it only if you are a fan of the filmmaker Imtiaz Ali or the actors. Also, if you are single on Valentine's Day and want to feel good about it!
