Film review: I Hate Luv Storys

Originally for AOL India
 
Cast: Imran Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sammir Dattani, Sameer Soni, Aamir Ali 
Director: Puneet Malhotra
Producer: Karan Johar
Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Genre: Rom-com
Rating: ***
 
In one of his interviews, director Puneet Malhotra had mentioned that he was tempted to cast himself in ‘I Hate Luv Storys’. As you watch the film, the one thing that you may easily note is that he has written the character of the lead actor with a lot of passion – probably hoping he’d be playing it himself. He may have ended up only directing the film, but Imran Khan turned lucky!
 
Love stories are dime a dozen in Bollywood. We see one almost everyday. Often with the same story and minor variations – something ridiculed by a section of the audience. And that’s exactly how ‘IHLS’ starts. We see ‘the cool dude’ Jay (Imran) making fun of these ‘filmy’ stories. Ironically, he happens to be working under a director who is best known for making such films. 
 
‘IHLS’ is a clever story, which could also have turned into a risk if not handled well. But fortunately for the new director, he chose to stick religiously to the genre of the film – keeping the comedy. While it could have easily got emotional on many counts as Jay transforms from a non-believer to a lover, Puneet kept the humour going right till the end. And that’s what brings newness to an absolutely clichéd story. 

 
On a brief note – Jay and Simran (Sonam) are strangers who start working together. Simran is already committed to Raj (Sammir) and hates Jay at first for his attitude. As they spend more time with each other, Simran understands she is falling for Mr Wrong. But Jay is yet to accept that he has fallen for what he always abhorred – love. But when he does, he tries getting back his lady love. 
 
In the process of the story you are reminded of almost all love stories you have seen in last one and half decade – ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai’, ‘Hum Tum’, ‘Kyun Ho Gaya Na’, ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’, ‘Mohabbatein’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’, et al.
The best part of ‘IHLS’ – apart from the characters – is the dialogues. There are some cool one-liners and hilarious incidents which will keep one laughing. That apart, it looks a very bright and pleasant film. From costume to colours to cinematography, all have been taken care of in the best way. And the music works better in the film than it does individually. Performances too are good. Sonam does well while Imran does better than his last two movies. He is good with comic scenes but needs to work on anything that is slightly emotional. Sammir Dattani hardly has any variation in the character to show any of his acting skills. The rest are fine. 
 
Having said that, the film is not faultless. The narration that goes on through the film is something new that has been tried, but it is a complete failure. You really don’t need the character to narrate what is already being shown on the screen. Too much of spoon feeding! Also, the treatment (including the smart humour) and style ensure that the film will find its audience only among the youth and in metros. It will have a hard time connecting with audience who don’t belong to the abovementioned classifications. 
 
Overall, ‘IHLS’ is one clichéd product yet completely fun. For all the female fans of Imran Khan – this one is just for you!