Mausam

Poets say love is a symbol of eternity that never bothers about the sense of time and place. But it seems you need the help of a script writer or a director to understand it. They will make you realize that love has no logic - it can transport you from Punjab to Scotland, from Scotland to the U.S. and from the U.S. back to Punjab in a fraction of seconds.

Confused?

Watch Pankaj Kapoor's directorial debut film Mausam, and you will know how it happens. But the irony is that it is a love story spanning over 10 years - starting in a Punjabi village in the early 1990s and ending in Gujarat after a decade.

The positive aspect of the movie is that director Pankaj successfully embroidered the historical events that affected an average Indian - displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, Babri Masjid episode, Kargil war and Gujarat riots - in his love story.

In the first phase, the story unfolds with the attraction of two young lovers -- an 18-year-old Punjabi lad named Harrinder Singh, played by Shahid Kapoor, and a Kashmiri Muslim girl named Aayat, played by Sonam Kapoor. The first phase ends when Aayat leaves the village in the wake of the riots after the Babri Masjid demolition.

After seven years, Sq. Leader Harrinder meets Aayat in Scotland. But as the Kargil war breaks out, he is forced to return to India and adversities start haunting the lovers.

In many places, the script confuses the viewer. For example, the unrealistic transition from one place to another - Punjab to Scotland, and from Scotland to the U.S. - remains a mystery. Characters who live ordinary lives in India appear to be living lavishly once they land in a foreign country, that too without any proper reason. But when they come back to India, they are the same old ordinary people again. Is the mausam (climate) changing them as they travel?

Another weakness of the script by Pankaj is in the scene where Aayat spots Sq. leader Harrinder in Scotland after many years. She hides from him. Why? Only Pankaj knows the answer.

And, again, the director fails to give an euphoric feeling during the reunion of the lovers at the end.

In a recent interview, Shahid reportedly said that his father had given him the script of the movie as a birthday gift two years ago. Can a birthday gift be so bitter? It may be a treasure for Shahid since it was his father Pankaj's birthday gift. But the question is why the father-son duo forced their fans to taste this 'bitter' gift (script).

However, it should be mentioned that Shahid surpasses all his previous performances in this movie. This proves his versatility as an actor while acting in a love story extending over 10 years.

In uniform, Shahid looks awe-inspiring and he would inspire the youth to join the Indian Air Force. The movie may mark a turning point in his career.

Sonam Kapoor has succeeded in portraying the role of an innocent Kashmiri girl. She has matured as an actor.

The sound track by Pritam Chakraborty is amazing and it fits the genre. The songs 'Rabba Main Toh Mar Gaya Oye' and 'Sajh Dhaj Ke' are quite sweet.

Verdict: Worth watching once.

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