Ajab Santhoshi ka Ghazab Comedy!

Raj Kumar Santhoshi is often remembered for his hard hitting and realistic dramas like Ghayal, Ghatak, Damini, Lajja, Pukaar, Khakhee and Halla Bol. Most of us often forget that it is the same Santhoshi who gave us that cult comedy of the early 90's- "Andaaz Apna Apna" that can make you fall of the chair laughing even if you are watching it the 25th time.

Its probably to remind us this fact that Santhoshi has come up with something as refreshing and hilarious as "Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani'. With the extremely talented Ranbir Kapoor and the extremely beautiful Katrina Kaif, Santhoshi delivers a beautiful romantic comedy and how! The setting is Ootty where you bump into Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) who along with his friends has formed Happy Club and his only intention is to help others and make them happy. He bumps into Jennifer and falls head over heels in love with her. Trouble comes in the form of Rahul (Upen Patel) who Jennifer is in love with. She befriends Prem and his clubmates and seeks their help to unite with Rahul. What happens later forms the rest of the story.

APKGK does not have much of a storyline but it is the treatment that makes it stand out. The slapstick comedy has been woven very well into the narrative. The conflicts between Prem and his father (Darshan Jariwala) has been brought out very well. The don angle (Zakir Hussain) reminds you of Shakti Kapoor in Andaz Apna Apna and Santhoshi uses Salman Khan's guest appearance very cleverly. The final action sequences are also peppered with excellent comedy.

Pritam's musical score is average and only "Prem Ki Naiyya" is impressive. Thiru's camera work is brilliant. Ranbir and Katrina have been clothed very well and look ravishing on screen. Katrina Kaif displays very good comic timing, looks like she has benefitted from the company of Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. Darshan Jariwala, Smita Jaykar, Zakir Hussain, Govind Namdeo, Mohan Ram and even Upen Patel play the fools perfectly and add to the charm of the film.

But, it is Ranbir Kapoor who has a good time playing Prem. His charming screen presence, impeccable comic timing and natural performance need to be seen to be believed- its such a great departure from his earlier outing and Ranbir proves beyond doubts that he is the Actor to look forward to.

Kudos to Raj Kumar Santhoshi for having come up with a feel good, slapstick comedy with the promising youngsters of Bollywood. Its no surprise that "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" has the Tauranis laughing all the way to the bank!