Election season is ring-a-ringing and the films coming out these last couple of weeks have been bowing to the debate atmosphere.
Youngistaan is a film that presents the premise of having India ruled by one of its foreign-educated nationals. It is essentially a love story set in the backdrop of Indian politics. 28 year old game developer Abhimanyu Kaul is a young and independent NRI. He lives in Japan with the love of his life, Anwita Chauhan, a bubbly, passionate and full of life summer intern.
Their happy and content life faces the test of time, when blood ties and the pressure of being born into the first family of India tears a young Abhimanyu between his love for Anwita and a promise made to his dying father, the Prime Minister of India.
Their happy and content life faces the test of time, when blood ties and the pressure of being born into the first family of India tears a young Abhimanyu between his love for Anwita and a promise made to his dying father, the Prime Minister of India.
Being a public figure, by reluctantly accepting to represent the governing party, much against his own wishes and at the cost of his private life, is a double-edged sword that Abhimanyu must walk on. The film travels with Abhimanyu, as he becomes the Prime Minister of India and struggles to balance his personal relationship with Anwita on one hand and the political resistance against him from within his party, on the other.
Thought of as an amateur and incapable of handling the issues at large by one and all, (except the ever faithful Akbar Patel, Secretary to the P.M), the film closes as a victorious Abhimanyu changes the course of events and turns the tide his way, through his hard work and learned leadership skills.
Thought of as an amateur and incapable of handling the issues at large by one and all, (except the ever faithful Akbar Patel, Secretary to the P.M), the film closes as a victorious Abhimanyu changes the course of events and turns the tide his way, through his hard work and learned leadership skills.
It would be missing the point to consider Youngistaan as a thought-provoking film that effectively adds much to the current political debate. The film is a romantic comedy that does not take itself seriously and is destined to the young of India.This said, I was left a tad disappointed with the fact that the political drama in the film was not as fleshed out and important as it could have been.
Jackky delivers a sincere performance, particularly in scenes with his father. However, it is veteran actors, Boman Irani and the late Farooq Sheikh (who does a refined craftsman job of his scenes as the Prime Minister’s personal assistant) who together carry the dramatic component of the film almost completely.
Neha Sharma is a joy to see in a refreshing romcom although her character does not seem well scripted. In the scenes where her comic timing and talent shines, she seems in command of each frame and is someone to look out for in future films.
Youngistaan’s romantic dimension seems to be the best accomplished. Society’s judgment of the young PM’s live-in relationship with his girlfriend is much more developed than how to deal with corrupt officials, issues in Bharath’s villages or gender concerns, which are all pressing topics in these upcoming real-life elections.
Though the packaging of the film might be refreshing and its cinematography and editing commendable, I have not been completely seduced. “Could do better” would sum it up for me. The film has good intentions and potential. Its fantasy plot resembles other presidential “what if” films made in Hollywood such as Ivan Reitman’s Dave (1993). Sadly, it misses the mark due to loopholes in the script and several unnecessary dialogues.
Additionally, Youngistaan's official website boasts a "pledge page", where Indian viewers are invited to take a pledge to become irrevocably involved in what happens in their country. This blogger wishes this level of commitment had been a bit more evident in the film itself, which would then push audiences to seek and take said pledge.
If you are young and are looking for some catchy choreographies and a fun romantic comedy that has loads of imagination, go hit the cinema hall with a bunch of friends. If you are looking for more depth, hold it right there and wait for the next political comedy-drama to hit the screens.
Visit the Youngistaan official website
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YOUNGISTAAN
Director: Syed Ahmad Afzal
Producer: Vashu Bhagnani
Cast: Jackky Bhagnani, Neha Sharma, Farooq Sheikh, Boman Irani, Kayoze Irani, Mita Vashisht, Hamid Shah
Screenplay: Syed Ahmad Afzal, Ramiz Ilham Khan, Maitrey Bajpai
Story: Syed Ahmad Afzal, Ramiz Ilham Khan, Maitrey Bajpai
Music Director: Jeet Ganguly, Sneha Khanwalkar, Shiraz Uppal, Shree Isshq
Cinematography: Amalendu Chaudhary
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