What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare? – W.H.Davis, Leisure

It's a simple poem to read and understand and we do that, nod our heads in agreement and carry on with our work. In this fast and mechanical life there is a need for telling people to live, enjoy and cherish life to its fullest. There have been several movies which had talked about the need for loving and living life. In an indirect way 'Jab We Met' preached the same and Zoya Akhtar is the newest member to preach this life lesson through her latest film 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'.

After 'Luck by Chance' Zoya Akhtar could have thought of establishing herself as a saleable director but refreshingly she has decided to experiment once again with a concept which will be targeting a niche city bred crowd. All the promos and the trailer led us to believe that it is going to be a fun and enjoyable road movie. But what we get is a beautiful sonnet which would have made a huge impact if not for its length.

Three childhood best buds – Imran, Rahul and Kabir, have a pact to go out together on a bachelor party trip before one of them gets married and each one gets to pick one adventurous sport which the other two must try out. When Kabir is all set to tie the knot, they decide to go to Spain. Their fun trip slowly becomes a life altering trip for all three.

Zoya Akthar is a talented young director who showed her abilities in her debut film 'Luck by Chance' and in her second film she has proved her capabilities. But the screenplay written by Zoya and Reema Kagti, slows down the narrative on a regular basis and maybe for such a movie 5 songs is just too much. 

But as expected the movie belongs to the actors who are so natural that they have lived their roles and the chemistry between Hrithik, Abhay and Farhan energizes the audience as well. Hrithik Roshan-the superstar, breezes through a role which looks tailor made for him. His role demands he exhibit all the emotions in the book and he emotes without trouble. Abhay Deol always has selected his roles brilliantly and his portrayal of the affable Kabir is pitch perfect. Farhan Akhtar steals the show and that too as a funny man which is far from his usual choice of character. He gets the best one liners, and also recites some exceptional shayariaan penned by his father Javed Akhtar. Katrina Kaif looks and acts stunningly as the fun loving Laila. And Kalki as Natasha again proves that she is the most talented young actress around with an extended cameo as Kabir's fiance. The rest of the crew acts competently. Naseerudin Shah and Deepti Navel have almost no role but they have done their roles with dignity.

Technically, the movie boasts of some of the best camera work in recent times. Carlos Catalan, captures every single, minute detail whether in land, water or air with perfection. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy the usual in Farhan's movies have given a decent album. But after their collaboration in movies like Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Rock- On, Luck by Chance, Don and Karthik calling Karthik we expect to be blown away and that does not happen. Editing is decent but could have been crisper in the first 30 minutes.

Overall this movie does successfully encourage you to start enjoying life and live life one day at a time but takes its own sweet time to make the point. It has the brain of a Dil Chahta Hai but the pace and heart of a Swades. If you are ready to spend 3 hours to watch a solid good movie then this is it.

Verdict: Time Milegi Dobara