On the whole, Teri Meri Kahaani is uncomplicated and charming. Not the
usual romantic fare, this one presents three different stories in three
different eras without getting theatrical or melodramatic. Thanks to its
innovative storytelling, it comes across as the perfect date movie,
holding tremendous appeal for the Facebook Gen. TERI MERI KAHAANI is
pleasurable and fascinating in equal measures!
Full Review:A self-declared Yash Chopra fan, Kunal Kohli has had a remarkable career
thus far. He didn't have a great beginning with MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGE,
but surprised one and all with his dexterity in films like HUM TUM and
FANAA. THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC couldn't restructure the magic of HUM
TUM, but all eyes are on his new outing TERI MERI KAHAANI. The question
is, will he be able to strike a chord this time?
Preceding its release, the tittle-tattle went on an overdrive asserting
that TERI MERI KAHAANI bears a striking semblance to the 2005 Taiwanese
film THREE TIMES, which featured three chronologically separate love
stories. Both, the Hou Hsiao-Hsien directed project and Kunal's film are
positioned over three time frames where the hero and the heroine find
love in different circumstances. While the Taiwanese film was set in
1911, 1966 and 2005, TERI MERI KAHAANI is set in 1910, 1960 and
present-day U.K.
But do the three stories connect with each other? Now that's one
question that shouldn't be answered in a review. It may rob the film of
its magnetism.
I have watched both the films and let me enlighten you that both are
dissimilar to each other. Perhaps, the idea of three love stories in
three different eras may have germinated from the Taiwanese film, but
that's about it. The story and treatment of THREE TIMES is poles apart,
while TERI MERI KAHAANI is the atypical love story that one is
accustomed to watching. So, there. A happenstance in the subject matter
doesn't make it analogous or a blatant replication, does it?
Can we truly love one person throughout our life and hope that fate
makes us meet the same person in every life of ours? This story takes us
through a journey of eternal love between a couple who have vowed to
love each other not only in this life, but in every life to follow.
Their love is so strong that even destiny wants to bring them together.
The story starts in 1960 Bombay with Govind and Ruksar, then moves ahead
to present times, 2012 England with Radha and Krish and then goes back
in time to Punjab 1910 with Aradhana and Javed.
Can Javed and Aradhana still be together? Will Ruksar realize that
Govind's feeling for her were genuine? Will Krish be able to clear the
misunderstandings?
Independently and collectively, the three love stories divided in three
different eras of TERI MERI KAHAANI do accomplish at portraying how our
lives are influenced and even revolutionized by the times we live in.
However, the film doesn't thrive on all accounts, there are a few dull
moments [the present-day story stagnates after a point and the pacing
tends to get unhurried, thus making you fidgety and impatient at times],
but buried in its experimental storytelling and innate performances is a
heartwarming tale that's gratifying and succeeds in planting a smile on
your face. Especially the way Kunal concludes the three stories!
On the brighter side, there are no preceding births, nobody expires or
recalls meeting earlier. The viewer is well aware that Shahid and
Priyanka have met before, but the characters are completely clueless
about the past.
Different eras are the crux of this motion picture. In fact, these eras
take the account frontward. Each story tackles diverse times and
societal principles and at least two stories -- the Poona and Punjab
episodes -- keep you hooked [screenplay: Robin Bhatt and Kunal Kohli].
It's actually very unusual to experience a story which progresses in
this fashion. This is a setting where one gets to witness the
inventiveness and resourcefulness of a director. Without doubt, TERI
MERI KAHAANI gives Kunal this break.
A special mention of the production design [Muneesh Sappel]. The sets
created to depict the different eras is admirable. While recreating the
pre-independence India must have been tough, Sappel has recreated the
era of 1960s impeccably well. TERI MERI KAHAANI is, without doubt, one
of the better albums by Sajid-Wajid. In fact, Sajid-Wajid and lyricist
Prasoon Joshi make sure the soundtrack is extremely likeable, especially
these tracks -- 'Jabse Mere Dil Ko Uff', 'Mukhtasar', 'Allah Jaane' and
'Humse Pyaar Karle Tu'. Sunil Patel's cinematography is top notch.
Dialogue, penned by Kunal Kohli, are poetic and romantic.
Not many actors get the opportunity to portray three diverse roles in a
single movie. But Shahid carries each of those parts with refinement,
besides looking debonair in each character. There is no quizzing his
performing abilities either. He pulls the act with effortlessness and
panache. As a matter of fact, whenever Shahid has attempted something
diverse, the results have been luminous. From playing a musician in
Bollywood to a compulsive flirt in Punjab to the unflustered and trendy
youngster settled in U.K., Shahid does an exceptional job. Among the
three characters, his take as Javed is sure to win him accolades.
As the spirited Aradhana of 1910, the dazzling movie star Rukhsar of
1960 or the joyful Radha of 2012, Priyanka is a complete livewire in
each of the acts. On a personal level, I liked her the most as Aradhana,
a full-on Punjabi girl who's vivacious and bubbly. What also makes the
film work is the chemistry the two actors share. They appear
exceptionally comfy with each other and bring to the table what the
spectators are looking for.
Prachi Desai is sparkling in a cameo. Neha Sharma is decent. Vrajesh Hirjee does well. Surendra Pal is okay.
On the whole, TERI MERI KAHAANI is uncomplicated and charming. Not the
usual romantic fare, this one presents three different stories in three
different eras without getting theatrical or melodramatic. Thanks to its
innovative storytelling, it comes across as the perfect date movie,
holding tremendous appeal for the Facebook Gen. TERI MERI KAHAANI is
pleasurable and fascinating in equal measures!
Source: Bollywoodhungama.com
by Taran Adarsh