'Ok Jaanu' Review: Watch it if you waited this long to see Aditya Roy Kapur-Shraddha Kapoor reunite!

Film: Ok Jaanu 
Cast: Aditya Roy Kapur, Shraddha Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Leela Samson 
Director: Shaad Ali 

What's it about: 

I haven't watched the original Ok Kanmani that Shaad Ali's Ok Jaanu is a remake of. Having said that I have definitely watched Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur's last release Aashiqui 2 that catapulted these young stars into superstardom.

Ok Jaanu has a lot of baggage it carries, for those who watched the original, will it match up to its freshness and zest, and will Aditya and Shraddha fans get a slice of their on screen chemistry that lit up the screen  last time around ? The answers these important questions  are quite a mixed bag. Adi (Aditya) and Tara (Shraddha) are young, ambitious and madly in love. Their feelings for each other are muddled in their rage to accomplish their dreams. Adi wants to be a successful gaming designer while Tara has her eyes set on Paris where architecture studies beckons.

The first half of Ok Jaanu has Shaad Ali using his age old tricks to create endearing moments between these two, but the real juice of the story lies in another couple's romance - Naseeruddin Shah and Leela Samson. These two play the odd mentors who rudder the aimless ship of Tara and Adi's romance in the right direction. Ok Jaanu deals with a burning issue this generation faces  - is ambition and fame above love and companionship ? 

What's hot: 

You can't make a romantic film if the sparks between your lead are missing. Fortunately with Ok Jaanu, Shaad Ali strikes gold by casting former off screen lovers Shraddha and Aditya. Their chemistry is the crux of the film, and while in some scenes it feels forced, overall the vibe is easy and natural. Their physical intimacy or the courtship scenes work only because Aditya and Shraddha make their characters believable. Shraddha particularly has managed to finally understand that less is more and her confrontation scenes with Aditya are less screechy and more endearing. Aditya too works his affable charm to his advantage and proves that he's made for love stories set around his generation. AR Rahman's background score lifts the story to newer heights and Humma Humma is catchy thanks to Badshah's eccentric rap. Naseer and Leela are the pillars that support the otherwise juvenile love story. We wish there was more screen time for these two. 

What's not: 

Ok Jaanu is Okayish when it comes to the heavy duty parts. Shaad teases you with the real drama but only manages to scratch the surface. We never really get to see Adi and Tara's deepest darkest fears or their honest understanding of the complexity that comes with a love story like theirs. The first half particularly emphasises too much on sugar coating ever dialogue and ensuring every frame looks pristine and well lit up. The beauty of imperfection is missing in this love story.

Naseer and Leela's scenes and their exchange of words takes the story to an expectation that is let down by Adi and Tara's attempt to be goofy and cute. There is also an eerie Saathiya hangover courtesy the collaboration between the same team (Mani Ratnam-Shaad Ali). As we near the climax we expect Adi and Tara to finally some sort of a showdown, if not at least a conversation about their future, instead we cut to a song that is patched in to give the mandatory romantic ballad to the soundtrack.

Despite being set in 2017 with a contemporary look and feel, Ok Jaanu's idea of love feels dated. Brand placement in the middle of a romantic scene that's meant to evoke some emotion is a terrible idea!

What to do: 

Ok Jaanu is strictly OK. Watch it if you waited this long to watch Aditya and Shraddha reignite their chemistry on the big screen. Fans of the original however, might have a different point of view. 

Rating: **1/2 (2.5 stars)