Jab Tak Hai Jaan is the rare Bollywood movie that leaves even discerning, querulous moviegoers like yours truly with a smile.
Note to Serial Whiners like SI – Be warned now, there’s not much to complain about with this film.
A Classy Entertainer
A grand finale to the late Yash Chopra’s decades-long Bollywood career, Jab Tak Hai Jaan has an engaging romantic story at its core that’s sure to find favor with most viewers.
Like a lot of movies made by Yash Raj Films, a significant portion of Jab Tak Hai Jaan is set overseas (London, in this instance).
When you throw in fine music and decent acting by the key protagonists Sharukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma into the romance khichdi, the film easily turns into a compelling watch.
A beautiful love story, beautiful stars and beautiful music – Hey, what more can you ask for in a Bollywood movie!
A key reason Jab Tak Hai Jaan stands out amidst the endless deluge of raw sewage from Bollywood is that this is a rare instance of a script with a lot of layers and depth.
Director Yash Chopra’s elder son Aditya Chopra wrote the story and shared screenplay credit with Devika Bhagat.
Love Thwarted and Reunited
The centerpiece of Jab Tak Hai Jaan is young love thwarted in London, a decade-long suffering and the ultimate reunion of the two pining lovers Samar Anand (Shahrukh Khan) and Meera Chopra (Katrina Kaif) on a Ladakh bridge.
But if the 2-hour 55-minute movie were merely a paean to love, it’d be a tediously long romance.
Deftly woven into the story is our hero Samar Anand’s post-separation career as a bomb disposal expert with the Indian Army and the introduction of a spunky, ambitious girl Akira Rai (Anushka Sharma) with aspirations to make big documentaries.
It’s been a long while since Shahrukh Khan turned in such an impressive performance.
Romance is, and has always been, SRK’s forte.
Thanks to the magic of makeup, Katrina Kaif looks angelic and alluring. Not a hair out of place.
You most desperately want a big bite of Katrina, believe me. 😉
It’s the nature of well-made movies that even small roles don’t look small.
Rishi Kapoor and wife Neetu Singh make their presence felt despite little screen time.
Sure, there are a bunch of silly things like the banter between Akira and Samar when he’s defusing a bomb underneath a bridge. Thankfully, they are small minuses in the big picture.
In a testament to the writing quality, Jab Tak Hai Jaan is one of those exceptional Hindi films that are not predictable.
Beautifully photographed in London, Ladakh and a bunch of other places, Jab Tak Hai Jaan reminds us yet again of something most of us have long forgotten – At the end of the day, movies are a visual medium that rely on the power of dazzling images to knock us out.
Ishq Shava, the item-like dance number in the London tunnel, was so beautifully, tastefully executed it took my breath away. Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif were a sight to behold.
Even more impressive was the four-minute dance by a medley of performers preceding the Ishq Shava song.
Pleasing Music
What’s an excellent Bollywood movie without catchy music to keep up the tempo.
A.R.Rahman’s pleasing music is strongly supported by superb picturization of every song.
I just purchased the Challa and Ishq Shava tracks on iTunes and have no doubt that I’ll be listening to them again and again and again.
The background score of Jab Tak Hai Jaan which keeps repeating throughout the movie is a hauntingly beautiful melody in sync with the mood of the film.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan – Go for It
Jab Tak Hai Jaan is a first class entertainer and SearchIndia.com has no hesitation in strongly recommending this sweet Diwali treat.
It’s a shame the movie’s director Yash Chopra passed away just weeks before the film debuted.
But then such is life.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Review – Don’t Miss It added by SearchIndia.com on
View all posts by SearchIndia.com →
I didn’t know that Sonny was a “querulous moviegoer”.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sonny Who?
Kiddo, I’m referring to myself, a.k.a SI.
Ok, you are in the “Velaikkaran”-mode or you hijacked Sonny’s review and SI-fied it.
But what about
??
That seems out of place in this review.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Lord, I was penning a sarcastic note to myself (in a mock aside to the many people who’ve said time and again that I slam almost every Indian film).
As a matter of fact, Sonny was in NYC today because of a modeling audition. As of 6:15PM, he hadn’t even seen the film and was wearily driving home.
He was supposed to review Son of Sardaar but couldn’t because of the audition.
Like you, Sonny doesn’t watch that many films in the theatre.
2. Not in the “Vellaikkaran” mode. I really loved Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
It’s possible I went a bit overboard in praising Jab Tak Hai Jaan. But that’s understandable considering I watched Vijay’s latest emetic Thuppakki last night.
Truth be said, I feel like seeing Jab Tak Hai Jaan again for the well-executed London tunnel dance preceding Ishq Shava song.
hmm.. I am still skeptical 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Bet you’re still skeptical that the Earth revolves round the Sun.
Bet you think we faked the Moon landing.
Bet you think Obama is a Kenyan.
Will watch it nxt week….folks who hav already watchd it r givin me a tough tym…sum r praisin it while others r sayin its a waste of money…nywys will find out nxt week..
1 more thing, SI surprisd me with dis review…never expectd u wud lyk dis….
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Jab Tak Hai Jaan is no masterpiece for sure.
But within the framework of Bollywood commercial cinema, I found it to be a nice film.
Just watched today, a pretty romantic movie.
A big relief from southern remakes like bodyguard, ready, singham, rowdy rathore etc.
Jab tak hai jaan felt like a complete Bollywood film rather than southern masala movies
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I might even see it again! Really!
You are right. Jab Tak Hai Jaan did not have the notorious Southern touch. Thank God for that!
I also echo the sentiments of some of the posters above.
I am very surprised to see your positive review!!
Was this really written by SI or by somebody else on your team??
Didn’t expect you to praise nincompoops like Katrina and Anushka.
Nevertheless, I will give a pass to this movie.
I just can’t stand the overacting and simian antics of SRK!!
Eagerly awaiting Aamir’s Talaash next month 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Didn’t expect you to praise nincompoops like Katrina and Anushka.
I’m not exactly head over heels in love with Katrina or Anushka either. Or even Shahrukh Khan for that matter. 😉
Sometimes in Bollywood, as in life, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
And Jab Tak Hai Jaan is the best illustration of that.
Lovely film.
I’ve been listening to Challa and Ishq Shava repeatedly since I purchased the tracks on iTunes last night.
Becuase there are rare/none times that you refer to Shahrukh Khan without his middle “Pak loving C” name:)
I really thought this was at its peak sarcasm post, but apparently not.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
The magic of JTHJ notwithstanding, SRK still remains a Pak-Loving Chutia.
When I called SRK a Pak Loving Chutia, I had good reason to do so.
Who else but a Chutia who’d go around pontificating on live TV that Indians should love Pakistan and that Pakistan is a wonderful neighbor.
And this Pak-Loving Chutia spouted that nonsense AFTER the Mumbai Terrorist attack sponsored by the Pakistan state (not the work of an isolated bunch of whackos).
If anybody other than SRK had said the following, he/she would have been branded a Traitor and hounded out of India.
Source: Pl watch below video at 2:58.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLIi_-JQOdg
I rest my case on the Pak Loving Chutia.
Is this Deepawali surprise? positive review for a Shahrukh movie!!!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Good Lord, all it takes is one positive review from SI for a Hindi film.
Some people don’t believe SI wrote it.
Others think it’s “a Deepawali surprise” and add five sly exclamation marks to their comment.
SI must be the last objective reviewer left standing.
Now let me get back to my current obsessions – Listening to Challa and Ishq Shava, both from Jab Tak Hai Jaan!
N.B.: I don’t know if it’ll make you feel better or worse, but I’m considering seeing Jab Tak Hai Jaan for the second time! 😉
ok, I took ur review seriously and went to watch last night’s showing of Jab Tak….
OMG, what was I thinking, you should have warned us it was a musical!
I did not enjoy the movie AT ALL, sorry, done done ShakRukh for me!
What I enjoyed in the movie: Challa song; cinematography; picturesque Ladakh and Leh, admire the flat stomach of KK and AS, SRK’s ship shaped body, that’s it!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: OMG, what was I thinking, you should have warned us it was a musical!
Good Lord, what planet do you people live on? Now, don’t you answer that because it was merely a rhetorical question.
Since when has a Bollywood film not been a musical.
99% of Bollywood films are musicals, with a minimum of 4 songs.
2. You write: I did not enjoy the movie AT ALL, sorry, done done ShakRukh for me!
As the wise SI has often bemoaned, Good Taste is not a blessing that Lord Balaji of the Seven Hills has bestowed on all his subjects equally.
Done done, SI’s vain efforts to instill good taste in the philistines!
BTW, Thupakki is still playing in your area. Should you watch the Tamil monsterpiece, I’ll bet you’ll come all screaming and shouting, fretting and fuming, ranting and raving, howling and hooting that I’ve trashed such an Oscar-worthy gem!
3. You write: What I enjoyed in the movie: Challa song….admire the flat stomach of KK and AS,
How I wish IMDB had a section where they list the girth of the actors and actresses and start a ‘ship-shaped’ ranking.
It’d make watching Indian movies so much easier.
Khushboo, Anushka Shetty, Namitha, Rakshita, Sonakshi Sinha, Farah Khan et al would never have made it!
May be I need to take more rounds around Tirupati Balaji! 😉
agree with the ship-shaped ranking
I don’t know about Tamil movies, save Mani Ratnam. Did you hear the new song called “nenjukulle” yet? I loved it, it is AR Rehman composition orchestra with lead singer, Shaktishree Gopalan.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: I don’t know about Tamil movies, save Mani Ratnam.
Consider yourself bountifully blessed.
Most Tamil movies are made by Neanderthals for savage imbeciles who wouldn’t recognize a classy movie if it wallops them on the face.
Disgusting, crude, offensive trash.
The French writer Pierre de La Gorçe famously said, Dis-moi ce que tu lis, et je te dirai ce que tu es (Tell me what you read and I’ll tell you what you are).
I’d change it to, Tell me what films you watch and I’ll tell you what you are.
By that yardstick, the success of a trashy Tamil film like Thuppakki is a poor reflection on the Tamil audience that eagerly gobbles up such filth.
Mani Ratnam and Selvaraghavan are among the better directors.
2. You write: Did you hear the new song called “nenjukulle” yet?
I did and it’s all right.
But in my not-so-humble opinion it’s nothing to get too excited about.
Once someone gets an award (Oscar/Grammy in ARR’s case), we tend to (un)consciously lower our benchmarks.
Disagree, Jab Tak is AR Rehman and I thought the music was average (inspite of heavyweights like Gulzar) expect for Challa and may be that slow number, Saiyaban, Mirza….
Movies I watch, limiting the list to latest Bollywood, my liked recent watch are: Barfi, Engish Vinglish, Zindagi Na Milegi, I like Hritik, Ranbir – can watch Jodha Akbar, Lakshya, Wake up Sid, Monsoon Wedding (bollywood?) again and again.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
From your list, I liked Barfi before I disliked it a la our MA Senator & Future Def Sec/Sec of State John Kerry.
God, I’m suffering from severe withdrawal symptoms. Time to rewatch the full pre-Ishq dance PLUS Ishq Shava dance/song again: http://www.searchindia.com/2012/11/14/sexy-classy-sexy-si-loves-it-loves-it/
Notable point in Sisri’s comment is – “I took ur review seriously” 😀
SearchIndia.com Responds:
If you’re hinting at how few people take SI seriously, may I not-so-humbly remind you that throughout history great personalities have seldom been taken seriously by their not-so-smart peers.
Do names like Jesus, Galileo, Socrates, Buddha etc ring a bell with you? Hint: They’re not Vijay’s co-stars in Thuppakki.
Sisri is the only one that has admitted to have fallen for SI’s prank. not sure how many more silent victims are there. 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Prank?
As of last night, I thought only CO had legalized Pot.
Now I’m not so sure about states like NC.
It’s been eons since I had a long drag on some good grass.
What a shame, friends only smoke cigars or cigarettes. 🙁
Hope NC will follow CO’s lead.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’m sure my state legalized pot quietly many years back.
How else can you explain Joe Biden’s lengthy tenure, first as a Senator and now a second term as Veep? 😉
The guy graduated summa cum laude from the School of Dunces.
Funny! I want to believe Gandhiji
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I thinkAfter all these prank-doubts, I really need a beer.
Keep calm and trust Gandhiji.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Between a repartee and a ice-cold, 32-oz bottle of Beer, you know my preference!
Have you really liked it, I am surprised.
Though, critics has praised the movie (partially because no one wants to sound negative due to Yash ji’s death), general wom is highly mixed towards negative side.
Just go through some of the general bloggers reviews, many of them are srk fans.
http://www.naachgaana.com/2012/11/14/jab-tak-hai-jaan-10-important-life-lessons-from-the-film/
http://www.naachgaana.com/2012/11/14/nikal-gayi-hain-jaan/
http://www.naachgaana.com/2012/11/15/half-time-tak-bachegi-jaan-to-full-chalegi-jab-tak-hai-jaan/
http://tanqeed.com/forum/jab-tak-jai-jaan-movie-review-by-sputnik/
http://tanqeed.com/forum/my-take-on-jab-tak-hai-jaan-fs/
http://tanqeed.com/forum/my-thoughts-on-jab-tak-hai-jaan-the-death-of-raj/
http://www.naachgaana.com/2012/11/14/sankets-review-jab-tak-hai-jaan-amidst-its-long-run-time-it-has-moments-in-it/
http://www.naachgaana.com/2012/11/14/just-back-from-jab-tak-hai-jaan-2/
Of course, there were many positive reviews also but they are mostly from critics.
As far as BO is concerned, JTHJ is ahead of SOS on opening day thanks to trick played by YRF during ETT for blocking the screen.
But, from today onwards, SOS seems to be catching up.
YRF have allegedly made a pact with Single Screen distributor that they will get ETT only if they block their screens for next YRF movie to be released on Diwali.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Have you really liked it, I am surprised.
Yes, I really enjoyed Jab Tak Hain Jaan. I was not being my usual sarcastic self.
Nice package overall.
2. You write: Though, critics has praised the movie (partially because no one wants to sound negative due to Yash ji’s death), general wom is highly mixed towards negative side.
The Box office reports will tell us soon if word of mouth was indeed negative for Jab Tak Hain Jaan. I expect it’ll do very well here in the U.S. I won’t be surprised if Jab Tak Hain Jaan squashes Son of Sardaar like a bug.
3. I will watch The End of the Affair in a few days to see if there is any similarity with JTHJ.
4. I don’t agree with some of the points made by reviewers in your links. For instance, Baba Ji writes: This is yash chopra’s WORST film in his career. That’s hard to defend bombast.
5. I had requested two people to review Son of Sardaar but both called it off at the last minutes because of more urgent priorities.
6. Naachgaana is not loading – “Error establishing Database connection”
7. Regarding this screen-blocking case filed by Ajay Devgan, I expect the YRF tactic will become the norm in India.
All’s Fair in Love, War and Films. 😉
I read that similar tactics are being tried for Talaash. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-09/news-interviews/35015141_1_talaash-single-screen-ritesh-sidhwani
This is the problem with Naachgaana, but do try to open the links if you get time, there are some interesting points.
As far as overseas is concerned, SOS is no match to JTHJ, no one expected SOS to do much in overseas.
I was talking about India where SOS seems to be catching up.
http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5095&nCat=
http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=5094&nCat=
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I may watch Son of Sardaar on Sat/Sun…let’s see!
//5. I had requested two people to review Son of Sardaar but both called it off at the last minute because of more urgent priorities. //
Damn those two… what can possibly be more important than watching Son of Sardaar?!? 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
If Son of Sardaar fares badly at the U.S. BO, as it most likely will, Sonny and you would have played a part.
Seen JTHJ?
Nope… I may watch this weekend solely because of your surprisingly glowing review.
If the newspapers are to be believed. JTHJ didn’t have that much of an opening here.
I guess the movie wasn’t promoted as much as SRK’s Don 2 or Ra.One.
I myself came to know abt the movie just days before its release.
Btw, I’m not surprised at the average opening.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: I myself came to know abt the movie just days before its release.
That’s because you’re not much into Hindi films.
Bollywood fans have known for quite some time that JTHJ is coming.
Compared to JTHJ, SRK’s Don 2 and Ra One were amateurish (yes, they were in different genres).
Finally watchd jthj…..well i felt it was avg…..
btw, i recommended a movie calld Nadodikkattu and u promisd to watch it.remembr??…so wen do u plan to watch it???
Here’s one more recommendation….
Oh My God (2012)…absolutely lovd it…Brilliant performance by Paresh Rawal…Its a must watch..pls dnt miss it….Waitin 4 ur review…..Here’s the link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMG:_Oh_My_God!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I regret not seeing Oh, My God! in the theatre.
I Love Paresh (I love his wife Swaroop Sampat even more). 😉 I used to watch Swaroop’s Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi diligently back when I lived in Mera Bharat Mahaan.
Sweetie, I will definitely find a way to get a legal copy of Nadodikkattu and see it. Be patient awhile.
Ok…I’ll b patient…
And Oh My God….There are flaws in the movie but still, its a must-watch for the novelty & importance of its story & of course, Paresh Rawal’s amazing performance.
I have something else 4 u….After watching this, felt like i should share this….engaging conversation..pls watch….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHoesnLy9FY
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’ve started watching it…I will watch it in full and update my thoughts on the video later today.
Update: 11:16PM ET
Watched the video in full.
Very, very interesting. Thanks, Sweetie!
I might even do a separate post on the video.
Its Shahrukh Khan at Tehelka’s Think2012…..felt really touched after watching it
Actually I tried to share it as a separate link here, but I didnt know hw to do it…..So pls go ahead….Do a separate post on it…
Talaash opens to rave reviews….Planning to watch it??
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I don’t know.
I have a visceral
dislikehatredloathing of Aamir Khan, even more than of that savage beast Salman Khan.With Salman, you know you’re facing a carnivore on steroids.
But this Aamir Khan character with all his ‘dramas’ and pretenses is intolerable. More so, after I read this interview – http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/interviews/20070702-0.html.
Except for the non-linear narrative thing (impossible for Murugadoss or any other Indian Doss to handle), Ghajini is a lift of Memento.
Most likely, I may request someone else to do the Talaash review.
Haha….Dramas, pretenses….Agree with u on that…he often does that in his interviews…..
Aamir Khan is correct. Ghajini is not a lift of Memento.
Memento was a wonderful movie that was artfully made by the terrifically skilled Christopher Nolan.
Ghajini was crass movie that was crudely made by the terribly incompetent Murugadoss.
What did you find in common??
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You Write: What did you find in common??
http://www.searchindia.com/2008/12/22/ghajini-review-why-is-aamir-khan-in-bed-with-a-thieving-swine/
Above link for Tamil version…but Hindi & Tamil versions are not very different.
Aiyo! I was just being sarcastic.
Everyone knows that the fella copied the concept.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Speaking of Ghajini and Aamir Khan, are you planning to watch Talaash today?
After all, you’re the only SI reader to have met Aaamir in flesh and blood! 😉
How do you know that Gracy Singh doesn’t read SI?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I not know nothing!
😀 Yes Yes.. he is real! I touched him.
I was planning on watching but I didn’t decide if it was today or tomorrow.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Can you go tonight?
yep.. why not!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
3:45p
7:05p
10:10p
Please watch the earliest possible show and review it for SI.
Will send you an e-mail in 1-min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOS2lBrHdDo
here is making of sexy classy song ishq shava
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Thank you, Sweetie! 🙂
Enjoyed watching it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cqPV0o4bX8&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1
after watching masterpiece ishq shava,watch this shitty piece fevicol
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sick!
I need a drink!
Make that two.
OMG I can’t believe you gave such a positive review for this movie.
Its been 4 sittings and still I couldn’t complete it. So slow, melodramatic, 90s style, incredibly childish and awkwardly stupid movie. I couldn’t really tolerate it at all, AT
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: OMG I can’t believe you gave such a positive review for this movie. So slow, melodramatic, 90s style, incredibly childish and awkwardly stupid
My main complaint with Netflix (U.S DVD rental service) is that there’s a long wait for this film.
I so much want to see it again.
2. As for the Ishq Shava dance/song in the movie, smite me if I have not seen/heard that at least a million times.
3. I’m not playing contrarian here. I really loved it. Perhaps, I was in one of those rare romanric moods.
It looks like love at first sight for SI 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I’m too busy to read your above comment. 😉
You see, I’m currently rewatching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NB7JBccVu8 for just the millionth time.