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To Diva.
**
If Abou Ben Adhem poem is slightly changed to mean about two lists, I know I am not on one list but I feel I would be on the top of the second.But you’ll never know.

Ok, let the generalized title not misguide you. This post is about Kajol and U me aur hum by a fan and I will not pretend otherwise.

Reading reviews of movies that contain Kajol is always rewarding irrespective of whether it is a postive review for a movie or a negative. Especially (bad) movies like Fanaa and U Me Aur Hum are real treats !

Because a positive review for movies like these is always surprising and though personally smirk invoking, I like the feeling of a positive review or long run of the movie for obvious reasons. Secondly because these movies generated lot of noise and created lot of hype and attention - and none,beware, was just for the presence of the actress - finally it is Kajol who gets credit and attention ! (Even all her initial movies attracted attention not because of her presence but due to others, and then she is used to have the last laugh, bowling over and shadowing others at the end.) Positive reviews also dont fail to mention how Kajol adds/contributes to it.

When there are negative reviews, it is even more happiness-inducing because when there is so much dark and disappointing stuff around, the brilliance of Kajol comes across easily and gets highlighted. Of course, there is quite something for a fan to munch on! And it is such a joy when someone newly becomes a fan!

Let me link to few reviews:

Was very surprised to see such positive take by B Rangan ( my views are usually a scaled down version of his views - if he, say rates, 100, I rate 20..if he rates -100, I rate -60 ) ..but this one is opposite on sign itself. The only thing I probably agree with him is the nod to the presence of song “Saiyyan..”.

This is a review thoroughly enjoyed. I see eye to eye with him on various factors like about the nonsense friends, about the futile suspense attempt of child drowning and agree with almost every word of what he says. Only sad feeling is, he hasn’t any praising words about Kajol.

More links:

Kajol has done the best she can to get us involved with her situation despite the lack of depth writer, Ajay Devgan, etches out for her. Though she does get to her shrill self every once in a while. But I’m still miffed by the short hand she has been dealt.

Without giving the movie away

On the other hand, Kajol is brilliant. I didn’t quite realize that she was this fabulous. Even when she is lost, or screeching, or struggling to remember the smallest of things - you don’t cringe. But there are other parts of this film that are very cringe-worthy.
[...]
There are a few tense moments in the film. Kajol rules them all. Ajay Devgan is a mere prop in this film.

Within / Without

Kajol is the show-stealer; the film completely belongs to her! Even in the presence of Ajay, Kajol steals the limelight and has the better role, which gives her ample scope to perform. A performance that is sure to be recognized at the awards! - Bollyspice

Kajol, well, what can you say of an actress who has proved herself time and again? That she’s undoubtedly the best has been proved yet again. - Indiafm

Kajol delivers an excellent performance. She is pretty restrained in her performance when Alzhimer’s takes over her. Any actor of a lesser calibre could have gone over the top. Thanks to Kajol it does not become U Me aur Ham! - Passion for cinema

Kajol is magical,[...] - The times

Get this.Whenever Kajol acts, she kills the competition. Of the current lot, no one quite compares. No one can hold a close-up like she does or leap straight out of the screen to involve you in her pleasure and pain. She’s a natural and that quality is mined constantly by first time director Ajay Devgan in U Me aur Hum. - Khalid Mohammed

I am confused how to react to this movie. First of all Kajol rocks as ever, as expected. Coming from me may sound biased and cliched - but the way Kajol manages to increase the average feel-good, average quality and to decrease the average dislike towards a movie, when everything/everybody else look like pulling in opposite direction is beyond explanation. Kesarinalli kamala. And everytime I feel, there is so much that could be extracted from her given a full fledged role of variety,instead her prowess is just in parts here and there. This is not particular to this movie but including previous few movies of hers.

Sidenote: Purely from a fan point of view, Fanaa first half gave greater happiness.

[Spoiler alert]

The movie is intentionally slow. Thankfully it is little beyond a stupid love story. Ajay Devgun’s direction is quite good. Performances, Ajay manages to hold the scenes in those dark moments but otherwise is slightly more than ok [possibly I write him off without even evaluating but can't help], others are barely tolerable.

The story starts old Ajay telling story of a person Ajay who falls in love at first sight with a cruise hostess 25 years ago. He lies and impresses her, but she also falls for his good intent and they marry. If the movie’s intended love story was this part (thankfully it is not), then it does not strike a chord at all. In between two couples’ who are friend of Ajay are shown - one of them is unhappily married and other happily unmarried. Just to fill the lack of substance. (If it was some other lead pair, possibly I would have credited their addition to the story ! )

Once married, Ajay faces a different problem, he realizes Kajol has Alzheimer. How he deals with it, how it affects the child and family is rest of the movie.

I got the clue about memory very initially and felt at the end, he could have just remade “First 50 dates”. Kajol in that role would be a treat (and of course SRK/Salman as hero).

Dialogues are not great.(Except one which I like personally coz I keep talking something on those lines, he he. It is the one where Ajay Devgun confesses that hum bane tum bane is fake and continues how everything is selfish at a point). There are few dialogues which attempt the word play by utilising the different meanings of same word. I was unimpressed though. The adult/sms jokes fall flat.

Songs are ok. Nothing great about picturisation, but the colour or the look of many scenes is good - be it the posh hospital or the interior decoration of the house or the cruise. Loved the Saheli jaise sayyan which is possibly the best part to a Kajol fan. Of course her costumes are pretty good in many places.

In the beginning of the film, Kajol looks quite uneasy and gives a forced expression - I was already cringing if that would continue - thankfully she finds her touch slightly later. Ajay does know the beauty is in those eyes, in those signature expressions and does his best to concentrate on them and put just the face on screen :).Kajol shines in nice scenes anyways, but there are few scenes ( thankful for their presence, but regret they are few in number ) where she gets to scream, to look worried, to look confused, to look in pain , to look lost and thats when the natural actress in her comes out and I can imagine the shooting crew just standing there and watching in awe, and the audience not even daring to wink lest they miss to see it.

If you know me, you would know what I would be doing few hours from now.

Tangentially, few quotes:

“The difference between life and the movies is that a script has to make sense, and life doesn’t.” - Joseph L Mankiewicz

“Even though I make those movies, I find myself wishing that more of those magic moments could happen in real life.” -Jane Seymour