Movie : Luv Ka The End
Director : Bumpy
Cast : Shraddha Kapoor, Taaha Shah, Shenaz Treasurywalla, Roye Seagal, Nikhil Vyas
If you’re fooled by the promos into believing it’s just another shallow teen flick, you’re in for a surprise. A reverse self-deprecating marketing strategy by ensures the crowds come in and go away wowed. This is the first film by Y-Films, the freshly launched wing of Yash Raj Films that will make films for the youth.
So here you have it – a fun, breezy comedy about the generation in shorts and tees. And no, the film doesn’t treat them as shallow idiots.
The last day of college and her 18th birthday coinciding, Rhea (Shraddha Kapoor, Teen Patti) wants to make it a special night. But her boyfriend Luv Nanda (Taaha Shah) is subtly pressurising her for sex. The son of a smuggler/businessman, Luv sweet-talks her into agreeing. But Rhea realizes that her boyfriend’s act was only part of a game.
Rhea, flanked by her two friends Jugs and Sonia, decides it’s time to get even. And then the film takes the viewer along their mad, roller-coaster ride to revenge-heaven.
Interestingly, on recognising Luv’s infidelity, Rhea’s first instinct is of weakness—of blaming herself— which is usually the reaction of most low self-esteemed women. But then she breathes all fire and brimstone, egged on by her super-supportive friends. This trio then wrecks hell on the villain in fun ways that keeps the viewer in splits.
The dialogue is incredibly witty, and has the humour delicately woven in (Shenaz Treasurywalla, Roye Seagal, Nikhil Vyas). You’ll be laughing throughout the film, that’s a guarantee. The opening credits and songs are crafted with punch. The songs with the smart lyrics are great fun. The Mutton Song is sure to be a hit with the viewers.
Second half onwards, the film gets all `tied-up’ and drags a tad. But debut director Bumpy quickly gets back on track to finish off with a thumping finale.
Of course the film is not without its clichés – the fat girl wears frumpy clothes, the nerdy guy is in love with her, the pretty girl is an airhead, and so on. But there are stereotype-breakers as well – there’s the sexy teacher who’s willingly involved with the hot student, the single cool mom who’s more like a friend, the ditzy grandmother (Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal, fab), and the male gym-addicted version of the dumb blonde. Add to that the brat of a little sister Minty (played fabulously by the child actor), who cold-bloodedly makes deals with Rhea.
The film does have stray Hollywood inspirations from John Tucker Must Die and Mean Girls, but it’s still an original, contemporary story.
The performances are superb. Shraddha Kapoor, exuding solid screen presence, wows you with her effortless rendering of the character’s arc. She’s a nicely layered character with invitingly complex grey shades, and Kapoor is superlative. Of course, in keeping with Aditya Chopra’s diktat for heroines she’s wafer-thin and, as the film calls her, “sukdi.” Taaha Shah makes a superb debut displaying incredible comic timing and screen presence. Pushtiie Shakti (the protagonist from TV serial Mahi Way, and has some of the best lines in the film) and Shreejita De are delightful as Rhea’s allies. Archana Puran Singh is fab.
A great film for any age group, especially the young ‘uns (no vulgarity, crude humour, item songs— thank you very much). Watch it to laugh uninhibitedly and oh, take your BFF (the definition is in the movie for the uninitiated) along!