Socha Na Tha

Sometimes, an interesting story loses its charm if stretched meaninglessly. That's exactly the case with SOCHA NA THA.

Moulded on the lines of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee's movies - a love story with loads of light moments - SOCHA NA THA is engrossing in parts, but no sooner does the guy realizes that he loves someone else, not the one he has been dating for the past three years, the film becomes one predictable love story with parental opposition and the clichés that come as baggage!

Everyone wants Viren [Abhay Deol] to marry Aditi [Ayesha Takia]. They seem perfect for each other, on the face of it at least. The caste, status and kundalis seem just right. But there's a problem: Viren is in love with someone else.

In his very first meeting with Aditi, Viren confides in her that he is seeing a Catholic girl called Karen [Apoorva Jha]. Aditi and Viren arrive at a pact that Viren would refuse the marriage proposal with Aditi.

The news creates a rift between the two families and a war of words ensues. Meanwhile, Viren continues to court Karen and proposes marriage to her. She agrees. He meets her parents and they agree as well. But Viren's parents disapprove of the match.

 

In the ensuing chaos, Viren continues to meet Aditi. In fact, they like to meet each other. There are no strings attached, they do not have to impress each other. He can be himself with her and she can say what she wants to. Each time they meet, they consider it to be the last.

In a dramatic turnaround, Viren realizes that he is in love with Aditi. In another dramatic turnaround, Viren's family agrees to accept Karen as their daughter-in-law. Viren is truly in a fix. For, he doesn't want to marry Karen, but Aditi.

In the end, of course, the hero gets his heroine!

Although the story of SOCHA NA THA is not remotely similar to QAYAMAT SE QAYAMAT TAK, there's no denying that a few moments in the film do remind the viewer of the Aamir-Juhi starrer. Especially the portions when the two warring families collide time and again!

SOCHA NA THA has light moments aplenty and a few of them have been handled deftly. In fact, director Imtiaz Ali has not only handled the light moments with flourish, but also the delicate moments between Abhay and Ayesha with sensitivity.

A lot of unpredictable situations have been woven in the screenplay and that's why the film excites. But post-intermission, when Abhay realizes that he loves Ayesha, the screenplay suddenly changes tracks and starts getting humdrum. And that's where it falters!

The basic flaw in the narrative is that when both Abhay and Ayesha realize that they're in love with each other, Ayesha refuses the offer and prefers to marry someone else. Why? In today's age and times, when most teenagers follow their heart, the lovers in the film prefer to curb their desires for reasons best known to them.

The climax is also not impactful. On her engagement day, when Ayesha flees her home and lands up at Abhay's office, the guy gives her a cold stare and continues with his presentation. But once he's done with the job, he decides to elope with her [it's the girl's suggestion]. So why didn't they elope earlier?

Debutante director Imtiaz Ali deserves marks for keeping the viewer's interest alive, albeit sporadically. He has also extracted decent performances from the principal cast and even this aspect needs to be noted. But how one wishes he would've trimmed the post-interval portions for an enhanced impact.

Sandesh Shandilya's music is melodious. The tunes are soft and easy on the ears. 'Yaara Rab', 'Abhi Abhi Mere Dil Mein' and the title track can easily be singled out for their honey-sweet tunes. But the absence of a hit track in a love story is sorely felt! Cinematography is decent. Dialogues deserve special mention. The youth is sure to identify with it!

SOCHA NA THA marks the debut of yet another Deol and in that respect, the comparison with his peers is inevitable. First, the positive points! Abhay is an efficient actor and the boy-next-door looks gel well with the character he portrays. He has handled the dramatic moments as well as the emotional ones without resorting to going overboard.

But Abhay needs to work on his overall appearance [starting with a haircut]. Plus, he ought to work hard on his physique if he really wants to carve a niche amongst the teenage crowd.

Ayesha Takia is a delight! The bubbly actress is a complete natural and although her make up/appearance, at times [in the Goa portions especially], is not right, she makes it up with a fine performance.

The film has a number of character actors, but it's Ayesha Jhulka, as Abhay's bhabhi, who stands out and delivers a first-rate performance. Suresh Oberoi proves yet again that he's a dependable performer. Rati Agnihotri is alright, but why did the director make this talented actress scream and screech so much? Apoorva Jha is wooden. Ditto for the actor who plays Karen's [Apoorva] father. Sandhya Mridul is wasted.

On the whole, SOCHA NA THA could've been an ideal popcorn flick targeted at the youth, but it misses the bus. At the box-office, don't expect much!