Jab Harry Met Sejal is a romantic comedy film written and directed by Imtiaz Ali. He is certainly in the league of critically acclaimed young filmmakers. Jab Harry Met Sejal's plot is very much familiar, we have seen it in previous films of Imtiaz Ali as well as that of Shahrukh Khan's films. These days, it is very common in films that two Indian souls meet abroad, do engage in relationships without expecting to have any commitments. But slowly physical as well as emotional entanglement happens. And if one of them is already in a relationship, the confusion part also sets in. After the introduction of a few conflicts, finally these two souls meet. The plot of Jab Harry Met Sejal is so much similar. In fact Imtiaz himself has tried the same plot earlier. So, somewhere, Jab Harry Met Sejal does not click at all,the soul is missing from the film. Imtiaz Ali is a brilliant director and the way he interprets his story, does character sketching is appreciable and we have seen some of his best works in the past. But Jab Harry Met Sejal is one of his weakest works. Somewhere, he has absolutely gone wrong in keeping the tone of the film very casual even while the characters are undergoing a process of self-discovery, trying to develop the power of discretion, distinguish between what their hearts and heads want, and finally the power of reunion is also diminished due to inconsistent and shallow screenplay.
The film begins with Harry (Shahrukh Khan), a Punabi tour guide in Europe, taking a bunch of travelers around and seeing them off finally. Although Harry explains passionately to the travelers in regard to the places, he takes a deep breath, a sigh of relief, when he finally sees them off. One of his client is Sejal (Anushka) who decides to give a miss to her flight when she loses her engagement ring. Her fiancée and family members leave whereas she seeks Harry's help in looking out for the lost ring. Sejal speaks with typical Gujarati accent. Initial instances, where Sejal gives no option to Harry than to accompany her in ring-search, does generate some laughter. Then the whole film revolves around their journey of ring- search all through Amsterdam, Vienna, Lisbon, Budapest, Prague etc. And as it is quite predictable, during this journey both Harry and Sejal end up exploring their inner self as well as their need for one another. Harry is a loner, who has not visited his home in Punjab since last many years. He seeks solace by indulging in casual sex and a few pegs of alcohol. Sejal belongs to a business family in Mumbai and she feels that she has to finally settle down there itself with Rupan, her fiancée. During this journey, both Harry and Sejal realize that in spite of their lives apparently in a happy state, something is still missing. That is where Harry and Sejal understand that they complete one another.
I really don't want to say that the film is absolutely bad. But the combination of Imtiaz Ali, Shahrukh Khan, Anushka and music of Pritam should have all together created a magical piece which did not happen ultimately. Instead of stamping the film in a particular category, let me list down "What Works" and "What does not work" in the film for your to decide whether you want to watch the film or not.
What does not work in the film: Both Shahrukh and Anushka are actors who generally bring lot of charm to the screen by their presence. Their pairing in 'Rab ne Bana Di Jodi' and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' did add value to these films, but sadly in this film their pairing does not do any wonders. And, this is indeed a sad thing that two actors and good friends off-screen as well are not able to put their chemistry into optimum level on screen (But I would certainly mention about them individually in "What works in the film" below).
Anushka is good in experimenting with her characters (still somehow she is not at her best in this film).
The back story of Harry's character is not explored properly.
A few characters are not sketched at all like that of Evelyn Sharma and Chandan Roy Sanyal.
The overall tone of the film is casual, so dialogues lack depth and soul.
The screenplay is a big let down.
What works in the film: The message (as in the previous films of Imtiaz) is profound that one must explore inner-self and undergo the process of self- discovery. Also, one must follow heart. Also, one must strive to find out what is missing in life. "What you seek is seeking you" – the main message of the film is very good.
Shahrukh certainly has charm, which keeps up the spirit of the film at certain low points (Although at places, he even appeared lousy).
The conflict induced by the presence of Gas (Chandan Roy Sanyal) seemed forced one, but somehow Chandan excelled even in his 5 minutes of screen time. He leaves impact.
Aru Krishansh Verma as Mayank is good.
Of course cinematography does justice to the foreign locale. Beautifully captured.
Pritam has certainly done wonders with the music in the film (although some numbers are absolutely forgettable). Songs are used contextually.
Certain wonderful moments: When Harry and Sejal sit and listen to a concert, both of them have moist eyes. A beautifully captured scene. Another scene, where Harry enacts as Sejal's fiancée proposing her. One more scene is very soothing when Sejal finds comfort in Harry's arms, the love between them seems serene.
Jab Harry Met Sejal does not click at all, the soul is missing from the film.
The film begins with Harry (Shahrukh Khan), a Punabi tour guide in Europe, taking a bunch of travelers around and seeing them off finally. Although Harry explains passionately to the travelers in regard to the places, he takes a deep breath, a sigh of relief, when he finally sees them off. One of his client is Sejal (Anushka) who decides to give a miss to her flight when she loses her engagement ring. Her fiancée and family members leave whereas she seeks Harry's help in looking out for the lost ring. Sejal speaks with typical Gujarati accent. Initial instances, where Sejal gives no option to Harry than to accompany her in ring-search, does generate some laughter. Then the whole film revolves around their journey of ring- search all through Amsterdam, Vienna, Lisbon, Budapest, Prague etc. And as it is quite predictable, during this journey both Harry and Sejal end up exploring their inner self as well as their need for one another. Harry is a loner, who has not visited his home in Punjab since last many years. He seeks solace by indulging in casual sex and a few pegs of alcohol. Sejal belongs to a business family in Mumbai and she feels that she has to finally settle down there itself with Rupan, her fiancée. During this journey, both Harry and Sejal realize that in spite of their lives apparently in a happy state, something is still missing. That is where Harry and Sejal understand that they complete one another.
I really don't want to say that the film is absolutely bad. But the combination of Imtiaz Ali, Shahrukh Khan, Anushka and music of Pritam should have all together created a magical piece which did not happen ultimately. Instead of stamping the film in a particular category, let me list down "What Works" and "What does not work" in the film for your to decide whether you want to watch the film or not.
What does not work in the film: Both Shahrukh and Anushka are actors who generally bring lot of charm to the screen by their presence. Their pairing in 'Rab ne Bana Di Jodi' and 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' did add value to these films, but sadly in this film their pairing does not do any wonders. And, this is indeed a sad thing that two actors and good friends off-screen as well are not able to put their chemistry into optimum level on screen (But I would certainly mention about them individually in "What works in the film" below).
Anushka is good in experimenting with her characters (still somehow she is not at her best in this film).
The back story of Harry's character is not explored properly.
A few characters are not sketched at all like that of Evelyn Sharma and Chandan Roy Sanyal.
The overall tone of the film is casual, so dialogues lack depth and soul.
The screenplay is a big let down.
What works in the film: The message (as in the previous films of Imtiaz) is profound that one must explore inner-self and undergo the process of self- discovery. Also, one must follow heart. Also, one must strive to find out what is missing in life. "What you seek is seeking you" – the main message of the film is very good.
Shahrukh certainly has charm, which keeps up the spirit of the film at certain low points (Although at places, he even appeared lousy).
The conflict induced by the presence of Gas (Chandan Roy Sanyal) seemed forced one, but somehow Chandan excelled even in his 5 minutes of screen time. He leaves impact.
Aru Krishansh Verma as Mayank is good.
Of course cinematography does justice to the foreign locale. Beautifully captured.
Pritam has certainly done wonders with the music in the film (although some numbers are absolutely forgettable). Songs are used contextually.
Certain wonderful moments: When Harry and Sejal sit and listen to a concert, both of them have moist eyes. A beautifully captured scene. Another scene, where Harry enacts as Sejal's fiancée proposing her. One more scene is very soothing when Sejal finds comfort in Harry's arms, the love between them seems serene.
Jab Harry Met Sejal does not click at all, the soul is missing from the film.