Pyar Ke Side/Effects

A.V – ***

E.V – ****

How many times have you walked into a cinema to watch that “Oh! so awesome movie” and felt cheated? Yeah, to err is human but its not divine to support the directer to clear off the bad debts he has incurred while making the much hyped hatke movie.

Now picture this – You walk into a cinema, expecting a comme ci comme ca kind of a movie especially since the leading lady of the movie is more popular for her off-screen antics than on-screen histronics, the leading man who is more content doing parallel cinema and a bunch of VJs posing as actors. Recipe for a complete disaster, right?

Ah! serendipity.

Pyar Ke Side/ Effects (PKSE) may have ventured into a familiar territory that was explored earlier by Nagesh Kukunoor in Hyderabad Blues -1 & 2 but it still smells oven fresh. Cynics may want to write it off as a wannabe Hollywood movie or the one trying to wander in the lanes of Meet the Parents, but its infectious charm is undeniable. Its like an old story narrated in a refreshingly funny way, ofcourse with the occasional cliches, keeping the contemporary world in mind. 

Sid (Bose), a DJ, sees trouble when his girlfriend Trisha (Sherawat) talks marriage. He sleepwalks through the idea. His best buddies are Nanu (Ranveer, hilarious!) and his hapless bro-in-law who incidentally share the same ideology. Sid tries hard to change himself, goes to meet her parents but ends up blowing things apart. An attempt to break and then mend the relationship takes him through this hilarious journey.

Sid’s role was tailor made for Rahul Bose, his facial expressions are flawless. His one-on- one with the audience about the side effects of love are picturised with loads of humour. Mallika Sherawat proves that she can emote the way she smooches. Ranveer carries his small screen charisma on to the big screen, the guy is turning out to be an ace comedian. VJ Sophie as Baby Girl Vol.3 compensates her acting skills with tons of oomph. Dialogues are extremely witty, screenplay is tight in the the first half but tends to slack a bit later. Music by Pritam is foot-tapping as well as melodious (hope its not stolen stuff again!) especially the title track and the beautiful sad song to which Sid cries his heart out . The direction is pretty neat and keeps you interested towards a major part of the movie.

Being a Mumbaiite, maybe its the ‘Delhi bashing’ that I enjoyed the most in the movie . But on a serious note this movie is worth every paisa of your ticket; the recipe to a perfect date movie. Give the hard-boiled critic within you some respite and you wont complain of any side effects.

-Arun