Luck by Chance (Akhtar, 2009)

[sandeep]

Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar's sister and Javed Akhtar's daughter makes her directorial debut with this fun film.

The synopsis is as follows:
The fantasy sellers and the devoted audience, the insane love for Cinema mixed with the eccentric notion of divinity and archaic beliefs; these are the contradictions that keep this world spinning.

The stark reality of living in India juxtaposed with the fantastical world depicted on screen suddenly begins to make sense…

Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma) arrives in Bombay with her dreams of becoming a film star. Wide eyed but ambitious, she does whatever it takes, to make it. She lives on her own in a rented apartment - a luxury for most in this bustling city and spends her time with a motley crew of loyal friends whose lives are also entwined with Bollywood, each one in search of a bigger dream.

Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) has just moved to the city leaving the comforts of his parents Delhi home. He is a mover, he is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. He is young and handsome, and full of promise. Sona begins to enjoy Vikram's attention and affections; they develop a romantic relationship.

 Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a potential blockbuster launching the nubile Nikki Khurana (Isha Sharwani), the 18-year-old daughter of 70's superstar, Neena (Dimple Kapadia). The hero of the film, Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan), is Rolly's favorite superstar. He was launched by Rolly and went on to become a huge draw at the box office.

The wheels of fate indeed continue to spin favorably for Vikram, as elsewhere in the industry, havoc spreads on the sets of producer Rommy Rolly's new film. Vikram is called in for an audition and uses this opportunity to the fullest.

The film is about a slice of Bollywood life, in which Kismet plays a huge role. Here, notions of superstition, fate and destiny underline every life, as grand desires and opportunity converge to form strange patterns.

In such an unpredictable climate is success and failure what others define for you or is it something you decide for yourself.

Luck By Chance is a contemporary tale set in a world desperate to escape its own reality.

The movie is out on 30th January...

[kaytee]

I really enjoyed this flick. The Akhtars are really proving out to be great writers, directors, actors, etc. A nice look at the Bollywood industry and how new actors struggle. Farhan Akhtar proves once again that he can act with conviction, Konkana Sen Sharma is her usual self i.e., she sobs and gets away, Sanjay Kapoor is hilarious as a failed actor trying his hand on direction, Juhi Chawla as the producers wife is good too though her role is very small. Dimple Kapadia, Ali Khan, Hritik Roshan, Isha Sherwani all give decent performance. Rishi Kapoor as the producer is the highlight of the film, he is funny and his one liners are crack you up.

Cameos galore in the film - [spoiler]Aamir Khan, Raju Hirani, Akshaye Khanna, Abhishek Bachahan, Jon Abraham, SRK, Dia Mirza, Anurag Kashyap, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Karan Johar and im sure there were more who I have missed. [/spoiler]

[sandeep]

Finally saw it last nite and was pissed off that I didn't watch it earlier! A very good movie, it falls under the category of 'realism - which is not slapped in your face'! Unlike Fashion, this movie tells you the reality without expecting sympathy for the characters. What you are left with is an understanding of the human psyche and how the glamour world can affect someone.

A multi - talented family, the Akhtar's present us with a slice of life from Bollywood. Right from the credits, to the the first major cameo and all the rest that follow, the actors and guest stars appear completely natural, real and believable. Sona (Konkona) and Vikram (Farhan) are on their own journey in the Hindi Film Industry, trying to make it. They don't have any claim to fame, just their hard work and talent.

Their friends, the other cast, namely Rishi kapoor as the producer and Dimple Kapadia as the Diva of yesteryear, make a lasting impact on the audience. There are a few thoughts and lasting lines one walks away with after the movie. Music is good, with each song reflecting a different bollywood style, paying homage to Hindi films in general.

Farhan has become an even better actor, underplaying being his forte. Konkona played the girl next door (literally) well, both aspiring artists with a different approach.

Definitely a confident debut by Zoya Akhtar, this flick is a good new age view of the Hindi film industry.

3.5/5