'Today's cinema is today's literature', is a school of thought that Imtiaz Ali believes in.Over the years, his execution of that thought have intrigued us and entertained us.
Given his celebrated past, his films have carved a reputation of their own.
A reputation that says, 'Good is not good enough. Better is expected'.
And hence, we don't expect just good films from him, we want great films.
Sadly, JAB HARRY MET SEJAL is an Imtiaz Ali film that doesn't behave like an Imtiaz Ali film. Doesn't behave nor feel because it stays stagnated and dwells long into shallowness.
The man who made me fall in love with his earlier films now breaks my heart with his current one.
It breaks my heart to see Imtiaz Ali falling prey to bollywood clichés. It disappoints me that the man who wanted to experiment tells a 'Been there, done that' story. It hurts to see that the characters we always seemed to connect, cause no turbulence in our blood.
It is quite acceptable that a filmmaker fails to translate a novel concept, an idea or an experiment into a decent expression. Trying and failing is anyday better than failing to try.
The sad part is that with JHMS, Imtiaz Ali doesn't try anything different. His Harry met Sejal long time back.He basically replicates the same approach of his earlier films(even dilutes them), throws in newer, beautiful European landscapes and tells a story. A story where the European landscapes overpower the central protagonists.
The filmmaker known for his characters and their journeys being limited to showcase just exotic locations.
We loved Imtiaz's work for a reason. We were invested in his soul-searching, travel laden explorations, were intrigued in his take on contemporary love, feelings and character journeys. But in JHMS, all he does is repeat himself. And he not just repeats his work ,dilutes it and displays a half-baked, stale and boring tale of love and longing.
This was one film I wanted to enjoy. And j didn't. Sadly i wanted Harry to meet Sejal differently.
