Film Review: 'Khoobsurat' will surely connect with girls of all ages

Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Kirron Kher, Ratna Pathak Shah and Aamir Raza Hussain

Director: Shashanka Ghosh

Rating:***

What it's about:

Khoobsurat does not have the same plot as the original Hrishikesh Mukherji film. It borrows bits and pieces from the Rekha-Rakesh Roshan starrer -- the discipline, the home run by the matriarch and the girl who comes and changes the atmosphere from gloomy to happy. Khoobsurat is modern day Cinderella, there is the prince and the common girl but instead of the evil step mother, there is a hyper real mother Manju (Kirron Kher). Dr Mili (Sonam Kapoor) moves into the palace to treat the king who has no intention of being cured. Things get complicated when the prince Vikram Singh Rathod (Fawad Khan) who is engaged to be married soon, falls in love with Mili.

What's good: 

Khoobsurat is a charming film essentially for young girls in love or the idea of love -- classic Disney blueprint. But there's enough for the grown ups too, as they can relive the memories of their first stolen kiss and awkward adolescent anxieties. This good, clean and refreshing rom-com has Sonam is her most inhibited avatar. From fighting with Manju over Skype, or fighting her own feelings for Vikram, she nails it.  The lead pair has great chemistry. Fawad is impressive. He wins you over despite your classic prejiduce -- good looking men can't act.  Both the mothers -- Kirron Kher and Ratna Pathak are brilliantly cast and throw in their own magic in the mix. Aamir Raza Hussain deserves special mention. 

What's not:

I don't understand why our writers keep making their female protagonists extra chirpy and clumsy which is even less likeable a quality in a doctor. Some parts are a bit overdone, for example Mili's connect with the housekeeping staff is a bit overdone. Drinking and dancing with Ramu kaka, really? The Rekha starrer has universal appeal, while the 2014 is more of a chick flick, which may not necessarily be a bad thing. While the romance is bang on, the comic scenes could have been more sparkly.

What to do:

Khoobsurat is sure to connect with the hearts of girls of all ages.