Considering there was Shahid Kapoor and Sonam together as a lead couple, and the promos aired were more than alluring it was but obvious that we would definitely catch up with Mausam as soon as it hit the theaters. While I watched the movie, for more than half the time, I was wondering if I liked it or I didn’t, and that’s what confused me the most.
So, when I saw Shahid racing with the train, I knew this had something to do with him being an Air Force pilot later in the movie where he would save his country. He didn’t. When he saw Sonam and fell in love with her at first sight, I thought they would have some sweet moments together that would establish their love, but alas! they didn't! Only a song Rabba Main Toh happened, I had already watched and heard it so many times on youtube that the only incentive I had on hand was the big screen experience. It was not too tempting. There was this bit where both of them start to express their attraction for one another exchanging notes, diluting the chits in a glass of water, I was just about beginning to sit up and notice anticipating symbolism when I realized the moment took to unwanted comedy. Result: Disappointment. Blame the TV buff in me, but I wanted to see a little more sensitivity. Especially since they had chosen such a deep title; Mausam.
May be the idea was to show the love story between two seasons, and ranged over a period of ten years, but I didn’t quite get the logic why they had to incorporate so much communal riots. Perhaps to bring a sense of peaceful communal co-existence. The whole we are all equal, cut us some slack, issue has been dealt with time and again. New York, Kurbaan just to name two in the recent past. But Mausam seemed more like a love story. I come back to my earlier point, why did this couple have to see through Babri, Kargil, 9/11 as well as Godhra? By the time Godhra happened I was almost convinced that the movie had run long enough for them to perhaps meet in Taj on 26/11 and atleast then the movie would end. Thank God for small mercies, they ended it at Godhra!
The little tribute they paid to Nicholas Sparks where they picked up a short instance from The Notebook, gave me a sense of identification, as I thought they would now go about it with a little more sensitivity. But I think the story totally lacked soul and depth. The idea was to create an A class movie with loads of emotions that ranged from one era to another. But sadly it ended up becoming a documentary with one riot to start with and another one to end.
Shahid and Sonam looked fabulous on screen, but their love story was somewhere lost in the midst of all that the story was trying to convey. The problem was, they were trying to do too much in too little time. Audience today are happier with a two and a half hour quick story telling. With a three hour long- when will they meet, will they meet at all happening, at one point I just wanted to get up and walk out of the theater as I got too tired of the ordeal. I did too, since I had to attend a call. But when I returned, I realized I hadn’t missed anything. Again I take pride in myself for being a hard core TV buff, since presumption and precision in the same are my forte!
I was disappointed with Pankaj Kapoor, not that my saying it will change anything for him or matter to him. But yes, I definitely felt, there was so much more they could have done with this movie. I am not going to run through the Music, the Screenplay, the Direction bits since I have already mentioned this is a rookie’s review! and I am in no authority to comment on the same! The big names can walk away with that credit!
When I started I told you, I didn’t know if I liked their love story or not. I am still wondering. I did shed a few tears for the leads at places, but I don’t know if this was because I am generally sensitive or they evoked those emotions in me. The point is, if you love something so much, do you really have to think this much?
Niharika Vidya Sagar
Rangmunch.TV
