Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) Film Review

 

Yash Chopra’s last film Jab Tak Hai Jaan is definitely difficult to describe as ‘wholesome’. A weak plot, over-long duration and lack of context story is only a few of the disappointing points.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan follows the story of an unsettled, happy couple; Sameer (Shah Rukh Khan) and Meera (Katrina Kaif). It was love at first sight for Sameer when he saw Meera sweetly praying in the church, clearly asking for a “white Husband, as an Indian one was too boring”. With Sameer participating in a variety of jobs, which involved busking on the streets of London, car washing and being a waiter, he and Meera exchange conditions. She has to teach him English, whilst Sameer teaches her to sing in Punjabi. After several talks, laughs and meets, they both have a soft spot for each other. However, after an accidental car incident with Sameer, Meera weirdly states how she is “unlucky” for him, therefore they can no longer be together. Many years pass, when we come back to the beginning of the film where a Documentary Film Maker ‘Akira’ is reading Sameer’s journal. Long story short, Sameer is now a famous Bomb diffuser, has erased Meera from his past and has become this utter serious character.

After a few falls here and there, Akira allegedly nags Sameer about Meera. Another accident propels where Sameer suffers Amnesia, where he only remembers his past with Meera. Yet, from diffusing a bomb on a London train, sparks of the present hit him back, where he soon realizes his progress.

Towards the end of the film, Akira speeches a few wise words, babbling about distant love and close relationships. Like a child learns their lesson, Akira gradually realizes that Sameer wasn’t just her ticket to the Discovery Channel, but actually helped her to discover the real meaning of love.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan lacks originality and contains yawn-releasing motives. With unnecessary romance scenes and simply an un-entertaining love story, we become indulged in this bleak chain reaction.

Having said that, the cinematography was accountable. With lovely shots of the city, likewise the windy water scene was memorable. The film definitely needed that quench and real-ness. Even though both actors seemed relaxed in their roles, their “true love” wasn’t reinforced nor evident.

Simply lack of romance and drama, Jab Tak Hai Jaan has drowned into that Bollywood cliché category, soon becoming part of the dusty archive. Without a fixed storyline and mundane plot, we begin to lose interest and thus the tensed impact disappears.

Last but not least, the behind the scenes of Yash Chopra at the end, was a great finish to the film, summing up Chopra’s great direction on set.

My rating: 4/10

Written by: Meera Darji