Ram Leela goes Ruptured Lola!

If he thought of doing a Vishal Bhardwaj, then he fell flat on his face. The latest colourful cinema from Sanjay Leela Bhansali is nothing but a pathetic display of brilliant photographic frames, loud & not necessarily good music, incessant violence without any sense, style or substance, a love story gone completely wrong and vibrant colours. The took too much from Bhansali and I think it received little from the Bhansali of Black or Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. My suggestion is to save some time & money, divert your effort to watch another movie or just lay back in the arms of your loved one. Trust me, you’ll be more in love than you ever will be after this pathetic adaptation of Shakespearean classic play Romeo & Juliet.

Courtesy Google

For a story to start, it has to have a start. The Ram Leela did not have one. Once upon a time, there was a holi celebration where she kissed him with colour and they fall in love. At a time, when films like Ishaqzaade by Habib Faisal, that is more or less have similar story lines, were made at a more dramatic yet pragmatic milieu, this Bhansali movie is shame on today’s film making culture from Bollywood. The biggest pull of a romantic play is the romance between the protagonists. It is flirting, the beautiful unease, the dreamy stares, the painful aloofness that made it beautiful. Sadly, these essential ingredients are given a complete overlook by Bhansali. It does not have romance but its is pitted as a romantic movie. That is the pity.

What is good about the movie is the frames! He has good eye for colour, for beautiful frames. But where Bhansali flops are editing and story telling. The romance of the movie never started for it to end. The plastic smiles, those dispassionate kisses, those distasteful acting by the Ram & Leela did their best to usurp the happiness of the viewers. Don’t be surprised if you see people leaving at the intermission not to return to their seats to watch the later part of the movie. I came back just to see how bad it can be. Is it so bad that it is good? Sadly, it isn’t.

The grand sets, vibrant colours, songs for each and every occasion made the lives of viewers pitiful. The viewers love songs when they arrive at the right juncture with apt timing. If you are bombarded with songs at every five minutes (it happened twice in this movie), then you will sunk inside your palms as you have no place to escape. The movie maker should note that romance is not about bootylicious heroines, topless heroes and smutty witty one liners. Even if it is for commercial reason, then it is to be weaved into a story for the viewer to enjoy it. Jumping the gun, wielding the gun and pulling the triggers at every turn of moment won’t get us an action pack. The worse was pathetic acting by leading actors (?) of the movie; Ranveer Singh (a sexy body does not imply good acting) and Deepika Padukone (some acting apart from joyful display of beautiful skin)

I wonder if Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to do what Vishal Bhardwaj has already done beautifully. They both adapted western classic plays by William Shakespeare (read Othello and Macbeth by Bhardwaj and Romeo & Juliet by Sanjay Leela Bhansali), Indianised the theme, Bollywoodised the movie & produced a product they deemed fit for commercial success. One important thing to note is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali also directed the music of the movie. However, Bharadwaj edged out Bhansali in all of the departments, hands down. The Bhansali should do movies where he can do justice rather than trying to do more than his might.

If you are looking for an one line review of the movie, then this is what I have to say: If you are planning for Ram Leela this weekend, then save some money and time. This is Classic Bollywood trash with no sense or sensibility in what is an adaptation of Romeo Juliet. Disgusting!