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Hamari Adhuri Kahani

STARRING: EmraanHashmi,Vidya Balan, Raj Kumar Rao, Amala Akkineni, Suhashini Mulay and Namit Das

DIRECTOR: MohitSuri

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Very rarely dosequels create an impact Director MohitSuri's HamariAdhuri Kahani is an anachronistic, tragic romancethattouches an emotional chord, yet, makesyou dismiss it as a regressive piece ofart.The direction appears confused, with a present-day setting, whilethe treatmentofthe plot and characters belongto a bygoneera. Thestory, with its verbose, melodramatic and regressivedialogues, along with outdated metaphors and symbolism, fits intothe1970s' mould perfectly. Sadly, the audiencetodaywill notrelate toit.

An intriguingtale nevertheless, it is all aboutlove: an engagingstory ofa married lady bound by theshackles of society, yearningfortrue love.

The dramatic prologue lays the foundation ofthe narration. It is 22 yearsthatVasudha (Vidya BaIan) has left herhusband Hari (Rajkumar Rao). Upon learning ofherdeath, Hari stealsthe urn as he is adamant about immersing herashes in Bastar and not in the Ganges, to enable Vasudha attain salvation.

Hari'struth -thestory ofhis life is unravelled througha diarythat he leaves behind for hissonSanjh to read.

Mahesh Bhatt has penned this semi-biographical convoluted saga, with well-etched characterswhich are intense and complex. High on emotional quotient, he leaves his imprintwith the well-structured, tight and intelligentlywoven script. But it isthe cliched, archaic and effusive expositions that nailthe narrative.

Recounted in a non-linear manner and packedwith backstories, what holds your attention isthe potent performancegiven by the ace star cast. This is undoubtedly the key reason to watch thefilm.

Emraan Hashmi delivers a sensitive performance, quite contraryto his usual image.AsArav Ruparel, thesuaveand successful businessman who owns 108 hotels and is emotionally drawn to Vasudha, he is convincing.

Vidya Balan as the protagonist Vasudha, brings outthe pathosof a distraughtmotherand abandoned wifeseekingtrue love, through an emotionallyintense portrayal.Shedoes justice to her character, but expectedly so. Your heart bleedsfor her at the treatment thatfate has meted out to her.

With a broad spectrum ofemotions, rangingfrom a possessive husband to a harassed victim ofcircumstances seethingwith anger,to thesubdued psychotic, Rajkumar Rao wows you with his power-packed and nuanced performance as Hari. He is a natural before the camera.

Theothernotable characterin a cameo is Apurva, Arav's friend-cumman Friday. With his spontaneity,tone and senseoftiming, he lends a fresh perspectiveto thesardonic lackey, eliciting many a laughter at his "flight delay" dialogues.

Yesteryear's actor Amala as Rohini, Arav's mother, is a huge disappointment. Although the character allows her ample opportunityto perform,she offers nothingto make it memorable.

Technically,with excellent production values and decent music, the visuals by cinematographerVishnu Rao are vibrantly broughttolife byhis meticulousframing.

Watch this one ifyou are moved by sad lovestories.

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