Movie Review: Luck By Chance

One has often heard, read and seen (on screen) the positive and negative sides of Bollywood. It would be erroneous to state that Zoya Akhtar's 'Luck By Chance' does a ''pol-khol" of the glamorous industry. Let me put it this way: the film mirrors the behind-the-scenes drama and manoeuvring exactly the way it occurs in showbiz. Watching Luck By Chance is like experiencing Bollywood first-hand.

If you're remotely associated with Bollywood, if you know how things work in Bollywood, you'd laud and applaud, laugh and smile, identity and understand and at times, empathize and sympathize with the characters in Luck By Chance. Zoya Akhtar's take on an industry that attracts millions of hopefuls year after year is bang on target. Almost three decades ago, Hrishikesh Mukherjee had made Guddi that depicted a star-struck teenager Jaya Bhaduri's obsession for a top star Dharmendra. Along with the core issue, the film highlighted the behind-the-scenes hardwork and labour that went into making movies.

Luck By Chance taps almost every important facet of Bollywood and presents assorted characters you've encountered at some time in life. An over-ambitious aspirant who knows to make the right moves; an actress trying hard to get that big break, even if she has to comprise; an icon of the 1970s who desperately wants her daughter to be a star; a producer who looks at riding on big names, script be damned, a failed actor now looking at direction to redeem his career. One of the prime reasons why Luck By Chance works is because of Zoya's crisp writing. Right from the characters, to the individualistic scenes, to the way Zoya puts them in a sequence. Luck By Chance is easily one of the most cohesive scripts this side of the Atlantic.

Sona Mishra (Konkona Sen Sharma) arrives in Mumbai with dreams of becoming a film star. She does whatever it takes, to make it. Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) has just moved to Bombay leaving the comforts of Delhi. He is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. Gradually, Sona and Vikram develop a romantic relationship. Romy Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a potential blockbuster by launching Nikki Walia (Isha Sharvani), the daughter of the 1970s superstar Neena Walia (Dimple Walia). The hero of the film is the superstar Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan). Zaffar decides to opt out of Romy Rolly's film and that creates havoc in Romy's life. Romy Rolly decides to cast newcomers and finally, Vikram is shortlisted for the main role.

Luck By Chance picks up characters straight out of life and that's the beauty of the script. The interesting part is that each of these characters have a story running parallel to the main story. If Zoya's writing is superb, her execution of the written-material deserves distinction marks. This maybe her directorial debut, but she treats the difficult subject like a veteran. Javed Akhtar's dialogues and lyrics are remarkable, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music could have been much better. However, the choreography of the circus song is remarkable. Carlos Catalan's cinematography captures the right moods.

Farhan Akhtar is evolving into the one of the most dependable actors of his generation. He's very real, very believable. No wonder, his character stands out. Konkona Sen Sharma is exceptional. The supremely talented actress that Konkona is delivers a sparkling performance yet again. Rishi Kapoor is incredible. A performance that merits the highest praise. Dimple Kapadia looks ravishing and is terrific. It easily ranks amongst her most accomplished works. Juhi Chawla is first rate. Isha Sharvani does her part well. Sanjay Kapoor springs a surprise and registers an impact. TV actor Ali Khan is perfect.

Hrithik Roshan is truly wonderful. He realizes that he himself had paved the way for Farhan in the industry when he is chatting with Karan Johar. Only an accomplished actor could have handled this sequence with aplomb. Among the big ticket Bollywood players who make fleeting appearances in the film, the one who registers the maximum impact is Shahrukh Khan.

On the whole, Luck By Chance is an outstanding film in all respects. A magnificient outing from the producers Excel Entertainment and Luck By Chance is sure to prove an extremely lucky and rewarding experience. On the rating scale, four out of five which means it is a strongly recommended film.

Comments

How are you related to Bollywood to appreciate it so well? ;)
Unknown said…
@ Veena: I have seen a movie shoot, that's why. It's as simple as that.

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