loudbeats

Karthik Calling Karthik - Movie Review:

I talk to myself and while you may think that it is a sign of insanity, psychologists claim it is actually extremely normal. Most of the conversations with myself are pretty normal; reminding myself of things I need to do or reassuring myself that what I am doing is fine…or not. So when I heard that Farhan Akhtar’s next film was about him receiving calls from himself, it didn’t sound so crazy to me. Although, my conversations with myself are not over the phone but rather in my mind or infrequent mumbles. Anyhow, it was newbie director Vijay Lalwani who came up with this rather obscure plot for his first film, it sounded a bit odd but when Farhan Akhtar decided to be a part of it on an acting and production level, you pretty much knew it was going to be different and how. Check it out.

Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) is a loser in all sense of the word. He doesn’t seem to get it right as he gets pushed around by his boss (Ram Kapoor) and doesn’t have the guts to let the woman he loves, Shonali (Deepika Padukone). Just when he loses his job and feels like he has no reason to live, he receives a phone call that forever changes his life. It is his more confident self-conscious who gives him lessons for life and changes his persona. All of a sudden, a more secure Karthik crawls out from his shell ready to face the world. He proposes to Shonali and the duo fall in love. When he tells his girl about the mysterious calls he receives is when his world crashes and falls around him.

The film, great, entertaining and Farhan rocks. The problem is that the average moviegoer or rather the more intelligent watcher, will not be able to understand the plot. It is for that very reason that KCK may not work. The film drags in the second half and makes you yawn at regular intervals. In fact some of the songs are just included as fillers and do not help the film move forward. As a director and writer Vijay does well however the film has a number of hiccups in terms of the performances. Farhan shines as Karthik. His performance is not only award-worthy but extremely honest. The actor becomes Karthik in every sense of the matter. Deepika is exactly how she was in Love Aaj Kal. Nothing new there. In terms of music, there is nothing too exciting except for Uff! Teri Ada which is choreographed fantastically.

Before you know it, the films ends and you are left wondering what happened. If you haven’t already fallen asleep. On the hold a mixed effort.