Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001)
Starring: Kareena Kapoor, Tusshar, Rinki Khanna, Amrish Puri
Director: Satish Kaushik
Music Director: Anu Malik
Synopsis: Introduces Jumpin'Jack Jeetu's son Tusshar in a light romantic piffle
Reviewed by: Faiz Khan

 

 

Tusshar Kapoor, Jeetendra's son, makes his debut in Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, a film that is very clearly designed as a launch vehicle for him. He appears in almost every scene, a tall order for a newcomer, particularly one carrying an entire film on his shoulders for the first time.

Karan (Tusshar Kapoor) is the carefree, directionless son of Dalip Tahil and Himani Shivpuri. Ostensibly a college student, he doesn't appear to take anything in life particularly seriously. A succession of songs establishes the college crowd as the usual gang of happy-go-lucky no-gooders. Forty minutes into the film, there is still no sign of the heroine until, one night, a mysterious young woman steps out of the smoky distance to light a firework.

Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) arrives like an apparition dressed in white, briefly bringing a spark of life to the proceedings, although sadly the fireworks never really ignite—literally or figuratively. Karan instantly falls in love but has no idea who she is or where to find her. Fate, naturally, intervenes. Their paths cross repeatedly until she eventually lands in his home after he rescues her following a road accident.

The problem is that this well-meaning but hopeless young man simply cannot summon the courage to tell her how he feels. She, meanwhile, gives little indication of harbouring any romantic interest in him whatsoever. Cue the obligatory dream sequences, songs and the inevitable message written in blood—an act which, quite rightly, provokes irritation rather than passion from our modern-day heroine.

There are few surprises as to where the story is heading, although the climax somehow manages to be even more disappointing than the long journey leading up to it.

Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai is lavishly mounted candyfloss cinema—sweet on the surface but dissolving into nothing the moment it is over. Little remains in the memory apart from a handful of songs attractively picturised by Ahmed Khan on Kareena Kapoor. The film has an oddly prefab quality: plenty of glossy colours, attractive locations and polished visuals, yet almost no substance beneath them.

Where is the romance? Where is the emotional involvement? The film is innocuous, lightweight and pleasant enough to look at, but it never asks anything of its audience nor rewards them in return. It feels less like a complete film than a two-and-a-half-hour MTV music video stitched together with the barest thread of a plot.

Kareena Kapoor is undoubtedly the film's greatest asset. She possesses that rare quality of lighting up the screen the moment she appears. At times she even recalls Kajol's spontaneity and sparkle. Her performance is effortless, natural and thoroughly engaging. She seems destined for the very top, and it is difficult to imagine anything standing in her way. Compared to her, Rinke Khanna, playing Karan's sister, appears studied and theatrical.

The biggest disappointment, however, is Tusshar Kapoor. He lacks the screen presence, charisma and personality required to carry such a vehicle, and his performance rarely rises above the ordinary. He dances competently enough, but beyond that there is little to distinguish him. As it stands, he simply looks too boyish and never convinces as a romantic hero. Watching the pair together, I found myself thinking they might have been better suited to advertising toothpaste than carrying an entire love story.

Anu Malik's soundtrack is one of the film's saving graces, although many of the songs are inserted almost at random. Even so, it is an energetic, catchy score that helps alleviate the tedium whenever the narrative begins to sag.

Satish Kaushik makes an earnest attempt to fashion a youthful, breezy romance, but the weak script and uninspired storytelling constantly undermine his efforts. He appeared far more comfortable directing emotionally charged melodramas such as Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai and Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain. Here there is almost no dramatic momentum whatsoever.

Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai often resembles an extended collection of the college scenes from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, only without that film's wit, charm or infectious energy.