Box Office: Singham and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara continue to dominate in absence of major releases

Singham is doing extremely well at the Box Office as it collected nearly 24 crore nett in its 2nd week which is just a 50% drop from its first week collections. Normally the films which get a huge opening show drops of around 60% in second week but Singham has worked big time and has emerged as the biggest solo hit for Ajay Devgn by far. Its two week total is about 73 crore nett and the third week also seems very promising. Singham has shown the best collections in single screens/smaller cities. Also having a generous dose of Marathi dialogues the film has worked wonders in Maharashtra.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is also doing extremely well collecting nearly 13 crore nett in its 3rd week which is just a drop of 35% from its second week. The 3 week total now stands at around 77 crore nett. This despite the fact that the film failed to make the mark in single screens/smaller cities showing that today even an urban centric film can do great business and need not work everywhere. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is now one of the biggest multiplex hits ever only behind 3 Idiots and Dabangg and has good chances of beating Dabangg till the end of its run. Though ZNMD had a great starcast(Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif) and did have good anticipation among the youth but the way its performing at the Box Office has surprised everyone.

Meanwhile all the small films released last weekend failed to make any mark on the Box Office. Gandhi to Hitler and Khap were outright rejected while Bubble Gum despite getting good response from those who watched it failed because of lack of awareness. Both ZNMD and Singham got an advantage of no major releases for two weeks which is rare these days. The next major release is the multistarrer Aarakshan releasing on 12th August directed by Prakash Jha whose last film Raajneeti was a huge blockbuster. With a star-cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone & Prateik and heavy promotions the film is expected to open really huge aided by an extended Independence day weekend.

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Box Office: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has a fabulous weekend

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara did fabulous business of over 28 crore nett in India over the weekend. The collections from the big cities/multiplexes were brilliant while the business remained on the lower side in smaller cities and single screens which was always expected. The film got quite a good opening but the best part is that the collections kept improving through the weekend indicating that the film has been accepted by its target audience in a big way. The weekdays also started on a good note with reports coming of a really good Monday business as well. Next week sees the release of Ajay Devgan starrer Singham which seems to aim a completely different audience so ZNMD has an opportunity of doing great business for 4 weeks till the release of multi-starrer Aarakshan.

Meanwhile Murder 2 had a brilliant first week collections of around 35 crores. In its second weekend it did have a significant fall recording over 5.5 crore nett but the film being made on relatively low budget has done extremely well thus emerging as a huge Hit. The success of Murder 2 has further consolidated that sequels/franchisee of successful films do get a favorable response at the Box Office atleast for the first few days. No wonder Murder 3 is already in pipeline.

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Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Review: A trip you'd most likely not forget anytime soon..

There are films which while you see, you really have a great time but soon forget them when you get back to your routine lives or even as as soon as after exiting the cinema hall. But once in a while comes a film which appeals to your senses deeply and you just can't get it out of your head even long after you have seen it, they make you want to go back to that world again, relive that experience, be again with those characters. I felt the same for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Luck By Chance, Zoya Akhtar's debut was a film which made me feel ecstasic about the existence of cinematic medium. There was nothing path-breaking about the film on the face of it yet her understanding and portrayal of raw human emotions and the maturity she showed as a filmmaker was remarkable.

No doubt when I first heard about the announcement of a road movie directed by her having Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay playing the leads I was over the moon. However the first look poster with a bare-chested Hrithik was a serious downer to my expectations from Zoya. I quite liked the promos but with a couple of lip sync songs and inclusion of Hrithik-Katrina romantic track made me feel that maybe this film is meant to appeal to a wider audience but still had faith in Zoya that being a sensible filmmaker, she will still do a good job with whatever she does. But buoy! Did she surprise!! Zindagi despite being very different in setting and tone from her debut film has the same finesse in terms of sensibilities. A lot of comparisons has been made with Dil Chahta Hai from the promos but having seen the film I can say that the only similarities are on the surface, Zoya has her completely original style and treatment. If anything at all Hrithik's character reminded me a bit of Farhan's character in Excel's another production Rock On but still it was played very differently so didn't really matter.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara works on various levels. The portrayal of relationship between the three friends is shown in a very different way and undergoes a graph through the course of the film. These are not college going students but three guys busy with their work lives in early 30s. They all are together after some four years so initially there is a bit of discomfort before they get into their own and go back to their younger days. The humour is not about jokes but the way when close friends are together even the lamest jokes are funny. And more than the dialogues its the silences, the body language and subtle expressions/eye gestures between them that amazingly portrays the relationship between them.

The film's main theme is letting go of the strings which we have bound ourselves with be it with our relationships, sense of security, or expectations. All the three friends have their own issues which are due to their own fears more than external reasons much like most issues everyone faces. The daring adventure sports each one undergoes overcoming their fears is a metaphor for the fears they face in their lives and how facing and overcoming those fears liberates them from the baggages they had. The adventure sports be it sky diving or deep sea diving are showed in a very uncharacteristic manner. More than the sense of adventure its the sense of liberation and feeling alive that has been portrayed through the way these scenes have been shot, performed and edited. Without a doubt these are amongst the most brilliant sequences I have seen in recent times. Farhan's scene with his father is also truly a brilliantly sequence one which was so heartbreakingly real that it was unnerving but truly liberating at the same time.

Though I just loved the film but had certain issues too. I felt with the presence of the Senorita song, the Tomatina festival song and the whole sequence though well shot was not really needed. Apart from it there were quite a few scenes which I felt could have been done without. Its not the pace I am talking of, infact the best thing about Zoya's direction is how she lets the scene play on without any hurry in a very self-assured way that brings out the magic. The small lip sync portion in the otherwise excuisitely shot Khwabon ke Parindey song was also jarring. Also felt that Hrithik's and Abhay's issues could have been more substantiated. However the real triumph of Zindagi is not in the story but how its told, the absolutely magical moments that just refuse to leave you and makes you want to revisit them all over again.

The best thing about the trio of Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay is that they are three completely different persons with very different acting styles and their characters are very close to their real selves which brings about a very interesting and unusual chemistry between them. It would not be wise to compare their performances because each of them compliments the others and also stand out as individuals. The preference if any can be for the characters not for the performances. Its amazing how someone like Hrithik who is known to steal the scenes from his co-stars plays a role where he is just one of the three friends without any larger than life attributes. Infact initially his character is somewhat snobbish and calculated but after the transformation he is just something else, truly letting go of his insecurities. His magic moment in the film was for sure the one just after deep sea diving, makes you realize what a truly gifted actor Hrithik is.

Farhan's character is complete opposite to that of Hrithik's therefore the issues between them. He plays the happy go lucky guy who doesn't care much about things and just likes to have a good time. Though the deeper layers of his character are revealed as the film progresses and he pitches a truly fine performance one which had the biggest risk of coming out as fake and labored. Abhay's character is the most balanced and he is so comfortable with it that you are amazed with the ease he carries off himself, this guy never disappoints or fails to surprise. I was really concerned with Katrina's inclusion in the cast but she came off so well that I was not surprised Hrithik's character fell in love with her. Kalki's character could have so easily been cliched but she manages to make it believable while serving its purpose which in itself is commendable.

Special mention should be made for the Director of Photography Carlos Catalan because ZNMD is one film where visuals play an absolutely pivotal role in the whole experience of the film. The way the sky diving, deep-sea diving sequences and the entire time they are on road is shot has to be seen to be believed. Its not just about the beautiful frames but the freshness and the feel they lend to the movie. Editing by Anand Subaya and Sound design by Baylon Fonseca is also of the highest order. All production aspects of the film are in perfect sync to realize the vision of the filmmaker in the best possible way. Javed Akhtar's brilliant poetry recited by Farhan Akhtar at pivotal points is a brilliant masterstroke that elevates the whole experience.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara despite some rough edges is a film which may deeply affect you with its heartfelt and uncompromising storytelling. Go watch, its worth going to the cinemas if you don't want to regret later that you missed it on big screen when you catch it on TV and chances are you'd want to watch it more than just once.

-Apan Singhal


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Related:
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: External Reviews & Audience Report
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Movie Preview: Trailer & Synopsis

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Reviews & Audience Report

Audience Report:
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has been a keenly anticipated by the audience because of its dream starcast (comprising Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar & Katrina Kaif), a banner which has rarely disappointed, amazing promotion and the fresh feel good look of the film. Initial reports suggest that the film has been really liked by the audience and lives upto the expectations. Audience Feedback also suggests that its not a typical entertainer which one sees and forget instead it remains with you even after you have seen it. They have loved the film for some really amazing moments, performances, stunning visuals, adventure sports and the overall feel-good factor. Most people who have seen it feel that its worth a watch and will not mind seeing it again. However since its not a typical mainstream entertainer so there have been people who did not find it engaging enough. The film may not appeal that much to the interiors audience but is likely to work in a big way in metros and big cities.

External Reviews:
Shaikh Ayaz, Rediff: 3.5/5
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is fresh

Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama: 3.5/5
This one's more for spectators with refined tastes and sensibilities.

Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India: 3.5/5
Director Zoya Akhtar follows up Luck By Chance with another sensitive and entertaining study of people, even as she gives Bollywood it's first full blown contemporary road movie.

Daily Bhaskar: 3/5
Watch the flick for some light moments full of fun and laughter.

Kaveri Bamzai, India Today: 4/5
Lovely. A bromance that has more style and heat than most rubish romcoms. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara? It's a film you will want to watch dobara.

Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV: 3/5
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara does exude pronounced traces of the spirit of Dil Chahta Hai, but its essential rhythm is its own, stemming from the dynamics of a full-fledged road movie shot through with intelligence, emotion and, above all, humanism.

Blessy Chettiar, DNA: 3/5
go catch ZNMD for good performances, music, Spain and of course, Farhan Akhtar in his element.

Kunal Guha, Yahoo: 3/5
The film isn't as simplistic as it seems and each character has a back story and internal conflicts that surface intermittently between thrill-seeking stunts, sugary love, drunk talking and some seriously childish pranks.

Rony Dcosta, Desimartini: 3.5/5
ZNMD is TLC meets Robin Sharma against the biutiful backdrop of Spain. It was designed to make you feel good and it achieves that.

Pankaj Sabnani, Glamsham: 4/5
Watch ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA to fall in love with zindagi (life) all over again!

Rajeev Masand, CNN-IBN: 3.5/5
It proves that Zoya Akhtar has a unique, compelling voice and unlike many of her contemporaries, she actually respects that a cinema audience can be both intelligent and mature.

Mayank Shekhar, Hindustan Times: 4/5
What you take home are memorable, amusing moments of three truly adventurous amigos we've all grown up with. And will continue to.

Pratim D. Gupta, The Telegraph:
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara IS A LESSON IN LIFE IN THE FORM OF A FUN ROAD TRIP

Anna Vetticad: 3/5
No, ZNMD is not flawless, but it does gently dwell on some of life’s lessons and I had a good time watching it.


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Related:
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: A big film which is not really a 'big' film
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Movie Preview

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Show Timings

Note: Show timings are for 22nd-28th July 2011 (2nd week) and are subject to change. As show timings are only available for limited Cinema halls at present, they will be updated when available for others.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD)
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Farhan Akhtar & Ritesh Sidhwani
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin
For More: ZNMD Preview

Also Read:
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Reviews & Audience Report
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Review: A trip you'd most likely not forget anytime soon

Mumbai(Western)
CineMAX: Versova (Regular)
10:15 AM 12:15 PM 01:15 PM 04:15 PM 07:15 PM 10:15 PM

Moviestar: Goregaon
10:45 AM 01:45 PM 04:45 PM 07:45 PM 10:45 PM

Big Cinemas: Sangam, Andheri (East)
09:00 AM 11:45 AM 02:45 PM 05:15 PM 08:15 PM 11:15 PM

CineMAX: Growel, Kandivali (East)
10:30 AM 01:30 PM 04:30 PM 07:30 PM 10:30 PM

Fame Inorbit: Malad (W)
09:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM 01:30 PM 03:00 PM 04:30 PM 06:00 PM 07:30 PM 09:00 PM 10:30 PM

Fame Big Cinemas: Andheri (W)
09:25 AM 10:30 AM 01:30 PM 03:00 PM 04:30 PM 06:00 PM 07:30 PM 09:00 PM 10:30 PM

Movietime: The Hub, Goregaon
10:30 AM 12:00 PM 01:30 PM 03:00 PM 04:30 PM 06:00 PM 07:30 PM 09:00 PM 10:30 PM

Fun Cinemas: Andheri
10:30 AM 01:35 PM 03:35 PM 04:40 PM 07:50 PM 09:30 PM 11:00 PM

Kulraj Broadway: Borivali (E)
11:16 AM 02:10 PM 03:45 PM 05:00 PM 07:50 PM 09:00 PM 10:45 PM

Maxus Cinemas: Bhayander
10:00 AM 11:00 AM 01:00 PM 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 07:00 PM 10:00 PM

Thakur Fame: Dahisar (E)
10:30 AM 01:30 PM 04:30 PM 07:30 PM 09:45 PM 10:30 PM

Fame Raghuleela: Kandivali (W)
10:30 AM 01:30 PM 04:30 PM 07:30 PM 09:45 PM 10:30 PM

CineMAX: Goregaon(West)
10:15 AM 01:15 PM 04:15 PM 07:15 PM 10:15 PM

CineMAX: Mira Road
10:30 AM 01:30 PM 04:30 PM 07:30 PM 10:30 PM

24 Karat: Jogeshwari
11:30 AM 02:15 PM 05:00 PM 07:45 PM 10:30 PM

Maxus Cinemas: Saki Naka
10:00 AM 01:00 PM 04:00 PM 07:00 PM 10:00 PM

Thakur Fame Movie: Kandivali (E)
12:55 PM 06:55 PM

Globus Cinema: Bandra(W)
02:45 PM 08:15 PM

INOX: Milan Mall, Santacruz(West)
01:30 PM 07:30 PM

Movietime: Malad
10:00 AM 03:00 PM

CineMAX: Andheri (East)
07:00 PM

CineMAX: Versova (Gold Class)
08:15 PM

CineMAX: Bandra(E)
07:00 PM

CineMAX: Kandivali (West)
07:00 PM

Mumbai(South & Central)
BIG Cinemas: R-City, Ghatkopar
10:15 AM 10:45 AM 01:15 PM 01:45 PM 03:15 PM 04:45 PM 06:15 PM 07:15 PM 07:45 PM 09:15 PM 10:45 PM

Kulraj Broadway: Bhandup
10:00 AM 11:25 AM 12:40 PM 02:15 PM 03:30 PM 05:05 PM 06:20 PM 07:55 PM 09:10 PM 10:45 PM

Fun Cinemas: Chembur
10:15 AM 01:15 PM 03:20 PM 04:20 PM 06:25 PM 07:25 PM 09:30 PM 10:30 PM

INOX: Korum Mall, Eastern Express Highway
08:30 AM 10:10 AM 01:15 PM 04:20 PM 06:30 PM 07:25 PM 09:45 PM 10:30 PM

CinemaStar: Majhiwada, Thane
09:05 AM 10:10 AM 11:50 AM 01:00 PM 02:40 PM 05:45 PM 08:45 PM 10:55 PM

CineMAX: Sion
08:00 AM 11:00 AM 02:00 PM 03:15 PM 05:00 PM 08:00 PM 11:00 PM

INOX: CR2, Nariman Point
10:00 AM 12:30 PM 01:00 PM 03:35 PM 04:10 PM 09:45 PM 10:30 PM

BIG Cinemas: IMAX, Wadala
10:05 AM 01:00 PM 02:15 PM 04:15 PM 07:30 PM 10:45 PM

CineMAX: R Odeon Mall, Ghatkopar
10:00 AM 01:00 PM 04:00 PM 05:00 PM 07:00 PM 10:00 PM

CineMAX: Thane (Wonder Mall)
09:00 AM 12:00 PM 03:00 PM 06:00 PM 09:00 PM 10:30 PM

Fame Neelyog: Ghatkopar (E)
10:30 AM 01:30 PM 04:30 PM 07:30 PM 09:00 PM 10:30 PM

BIG Cinemas: Huma - Kanjurmarg
10:45 AM 01:45 PM 04:45 PM 07:45 PM 10:45 PM

BIG Cinemas: Metro
10:00 AM 01:00 PM 04:15 PM 07:30 PM 10:45 PM

BIG Cinemas: Runwal - Mulund
10:45 AM 01:45 PM 04:45 PM 07:45 PM 10:45 PM

CineMAX: Thane (Eternity Mall)
10:15 AM 01:15 PM 04:15 PM 07:15 PM 10:30 PM

Sterling Cineplex
02:30 PM 05:00 PM 07:45 PM 10:30 PM

New Excelsior Cinema: Fort
03:45 PM 06:30 PM 09:30 PM

BIG Cinemas: Metro - Ebony Lounge
01:15 PM 10:15 PM

Fame Nakshatra: Dadar (W)
01:10 PM 07:20 PM

Delhi 
DT Star Cinemas: Saket
10:15 AM 11:30 AM 01:15 PM 02:30 PM 04:15 PM 05:30 PM 07:15 PM 08:30 PM 10:15 PM 11:30 PM

DT Star Cinemas: Vasant Kunj
10:15 AM 11:30 AM 01:15 PM 02:30 PM 04:15 PM 05:30 PM 07:15 PM 08:30 PM 10:15 PM 11:30 PM

CineMAX: Pacific Mall, Subhash Nagar
09:15 AM 10:30 AM 12:15 PM 01:30 PM 04:30 PM 06:45 PM 07:30 PM 09:45 PM 10:30 PM

Movietime: Raja Garden
09:40 AM 12:30 PM 02:25 PM 03:20 PM 05:25 PM 06:10 PM 07:35 PM 10:25 PM

Wave: Raja Garden
11:00 AM 12:30 PM 02:00 PM 03:15 PM 05:05 PM 06:00 PM 08:00 PM 10:50 PM

Fun Cinemas: CRM, Shahdara
09:30 AM 12:30 PM 03:30 PM 06:30 PM 08:05 PM 09:30 PM 11:05 PM

DT City Centre: Shalimar Bagh
10:50 AM 01:50 PM 04:50 PM 06:45 PM 08:20 PM 11:20 PM

Fun Cinemas: V3S Mall, Laxminagar
09:45 AM 11:15 AM 02:15 PM 05:15 PM 08:15 PM 11:15 PM

Fun Cinemas: Moti Nagar
10:20 AM 12:00 PM 01:30 PM 04:35 PM 07:40 PM 10:45 PM

Fun Cinemas: Pitampura
09:45 AM 12:45 PM 03:50 PM 06:50 PM 09:55 PM 11:20 PM

M2K: Pitampura
10:05 AM 12:30 PM 03:20 PM 08:05 PM 10:55 PM

Movietime: Pitampura
09:45 AM 02:55 PM 04:45 PM 07:35 PM 10:30 PM

Big Cinemas: Odeon
12:40 PM 04:30 PM 07:30 PM 11:10 PM

Delite Cinema
12:30 PM 03:30 PM 06:30 PM 09:30 PM

Glitz Cinemas: New Friends Colony
07:00 PM

Bangalore(Bengaluru)
INOX: Magrath Road - Garuda Mall
10:00 AM 10:50 AM 12:05 PM 01:55 PM 03:05 PM 04:20 PM 05:00 PM 06:05 PM 08:05 PM 09:05 PM

Cinepolis: Banerghatta Road
10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:55 PM 03:30 PM 04:10 PM 06:25 PM 07:05 PM 09:20 PM

Fame Forum Value Mall: Whitefield
10:00 AM 12:00 PM 12:25 PM 02:00 PM 03:15 PM 05:35 PM 06:15 PM 09:15 PM

INOX: Malleshwaram - Mantri Square
10:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:10 PM 02:50 PM 03:10 PM 06:10 PM 08:30 PM 09:10 PM

Fame Lido: Off MG Road
10:15 AM 12:00 PM 03:00 PM 04:20 PM 06:05 PM 09:10 PM

INOX: JP Nagar - Central, Mantri Junction
10:00 AM 12:40 PM 03:35 PM 05:40 PM 06:25 PM 09:15 PM

Fun Cinemas: Cunningham Road
10:00 AM 12:45 PM 04:00 PM 07:00 PM 10:00 PM

Innovative Multiplex: Marathalli
11:00 AM 01:45 PM 04:30 PM 07:15 PM 10:00 PM

INOX: Jayanagar - Garuda Swagath Mall
10:00 AM 12:25 PM 03:20 PM 06:15 PM 09:10 PM

Vision Cinemas
10:00 AM 01:00 PM 04:00 PM 07:00 PM 09:45 PM

Eshwari Cinema, Banshankari
11:15 AM 02:15 PM 06:15 PM 09:15 PM

Gopalan Cinemas: Arch Mall, RR Nagar, Mysore Road
10:15 AM 01:15 PM 07:00 PM 09:50 PM

Gopalan Cinemas: Bannerghatta Road
10:15 AM 01:10 PM 04:10 PM 09:45 PM

Gopalan Mall: Sirsi Circle, Mysore Road
09:15 PM

Everest Theatre: Frazer Town
11:30 AM 02:30 PM

Fame Shankarnag Chitramandira: MG Road
12:50 PM 06:40 PM

HMT Cinema, Jalahalli
01:30 PM 07:15 PM

Rex Theatre
11:30 AM 09:45 PM

Urvashi Digital 4K Cinema
02:45 PM 09:30 PM

Kolkata
Fame South City
09:10 AM 10:15 AM 12:05 PM 01:15 PM 03:00 PM 04:15 PM 06:00 PM 07:15 PM 08:15 PM 09:00 PM 10:15 PM

Kulraj Broadway: Salt Lake, Kolkata
09:00 AM 11:40 AM 02:30 PM 04:10 PM 05:20 PM 08:10 PM 09:00 PM 11:00 PM 11:45 PM

INOX: Forum Mall, Elgin Road
10:00 AM 11:50 AM 01:00 PM 02:00 PM 05:40 PM 07:50 PM 09:50 PM 10:50 PM

INOX: Swabhumi, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Sarani
09:30 AM 12:30 PM 03:30 PM 05:00 PM 06:45 PM 09:45 PM 10:30 PM

INOX: City Centre II, Rajarhat
09:30 AM 12:30 PM 03:35 PM 05:00 PM 06:40 PM 09:45 PM 10:30 PM

INOX: City Center, Salt Lake
09:10 AM 10:05 AM 11:50 AM 02:15 PM 05:15 PM 08:15 PM 11:15 PM

Fame Cinemas: Hiland Park
10:30 AM 01:30 PM 03:20 PM 04:30 PM 07:30 PM 10:30 PM

BIG Cinemas: RDB, Salt Lake
10:45 AM 01:40 PM 04:30 PM 07:20 PM 10:15 PM

CineMAX: Mani Square Mall
09:30 AM 12:30 PM 03:30 PM 06:30 PM 09:30 PM

Hind Fame: Kolkata
10:00 AM 01:00 PM 04:00 PM 07:00 PM 10:00 PM

INOX: Liluah, Howrah
09:00 AM 12:00 PM 03:00 PM 07:30 PM

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: A big film which is not really a 'big' film

A film about 3 childhood friends who go on a road trip to an exotic European country for an extended bachelor party. A film about living life to the fullest. A film on friendship and coming of age theme from a banner which has already given us cult films about friends coming of age. Sounds somewhat typical? Well the film is directed by Zoya Akhtar who last gave us Luck By Chance, a film which despite not doing well commercially is one of the finest films ever made about Hindi film industry. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara comes from a production house which has given us films which break the routine and have something fresh to offer to its audience more often than not. Zindagi also has a dream cast with this generation's three of the finest Hindi film-actors playing the leads, each having a different style of acting coming together for the first time. And the trailers have been quite impressive with stunning visuals, unseen locales and adventure sports like sky diving and deep sea diving amidst some interesting characters having lot of fun.

The peculiar thing with Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara is thats its a big film on the face of it but is still not a 'big' film. Though the film stars Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, has been shot extensively in Spain at a huge budget but still unlike most big budget films, at its core it seems like a simple story of 3 friends rediscovering themselves. Zoya in her first film showed finesse of an accomplished filmmaker with the subtle touches in the characterisations rather than depending on orchestrated drama or gimmicky camera-work/editing. Zindagi seems a very different film from Luck by Chance be it theme, mood or setting but judging from the promos seems to have that same depth in characterisations and restrain in storytelling.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Movie Preview: Character Sketches & Synopsis

click to enlarge

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (aka ZNMD)
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Story & Screenplay: Reema Kagti & Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani & Farhan Akhtar
Studio: Excel Entertainment & Eros International
Dialogue: Farhan Akhtar
Cinematographer: Carlos Catalan
Editor: Anand Subaya
Music & Background Score: Shankar Ehsaan Loy
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Sound Design: Baylon Fonseca
Costume Design: Arjun Bhasin
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin
Release Date: 15th July 2011
Official Website: www.znmdthemovie.com

Character Sketches:
Arjun(Hrithik Roshan): A financial trader who works at a huge firm in London. Arjun grew up without a father and has seen a tough life, his entire focus is to get bigger better faster. Reluctant to leave work. He agrees to go on this holiday.
Imraan(Farhan Akhtar): A copy writer who works at an advertising agency in Delhi. Imraan is the bohemian, a closet poet. He is looking forward to Spain.
Kabir(Abhay Deol): A wealthy, young man who works with his father's construction company in Mumbai. Kabir is bright, articulate and polite. Engaged to Natasha and off on his bachelor trip.
Laila(Katrina Kaif): A bohemian fashion student from London. She takes time off to teach diving every year. This year in Spain. She meets up with three young men from India.
Natasha(Kalki Koechlin): A filthly rich daughter of a hotelier. She is an interior designer and in love with Kabir. She is slightly nervous about this bachelor trip.

Synopsis:
3 young men take a holiday that changes their lives forever.
Kabir (Abhay Deol) has just met Natasha. 6 months later they are engaged.
He wants to go on an extended bachelor party. A 3 week road trip with Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) and Arjun (Hrithik Roshan)- his 2 best friends since school. The only problem is Arjun is too tied up with work. After much emotional blackmail and cajoling the boys set off on a journey they were meant to take 4 years ago.
A fantasy holiday they had planned to take after college but never happened. A road trip where each one gets to do the ultimate sport of his choice and the other 2 just have to do it with him. Whether they want to or not!
Kabir Imraan and Arjun meet up in Barcelona and set off on an adventure that will not only make them iron out their differences but also face their fears, alter their perception, unravel their fabric, force them to break out of the box and teach them to seize the day.
In other words a holiday that will change their lives forever.