Film Review: ''Mujhe Kuchch Kehna Hai''

THEY WHISTLE when her rather disobedient locks caress her ever-so-tantalising cheeks. They ogle when her lopsided pout blossoms into a splendid smile. They clap when she starts her catwalk on the streets of Delhi. And soak up every hue of the visual feast on offer. For many in the ``sponsored brigade'' at Odeon cinema, Kareena Kapoor is a lift straight from the secret, not-so-sacred dreams of young men. And Tusshar - the evergreen Jeetendra's son who makes his debut in ``Mujhe Kuchch Kehna Hai'' which kissed the silver screen this past week - is an extraordinarily ordinary boy. Blessed with a face that can be lost in a crowd, he comes across as the guy who would slink away on the sidelines and revel forever in abiding anonymity. He need not despair, though. In the past in Bollywood more extraordinary feats have been recorded by many ordinary men - notably his father Jeetendra.

Tusshar does not have much to build on. When he stands with his collegemates in group sequences, he is one of them - no heroic quality there. And in the few scenes when he has the screen all to himself, the shadow he casts in slating lights somehow seems more appealing. But after this film he can only improve.

In fact, that is something one can say about the film as well. This tale of a tongue-tied smitten lover boy and a gorgeous America-returned girl here to rediscover Indian culture starts off as yet another campus caper. A film where the campus is a place to settle debates through fisticuffs, an institution where lessons of love have to be imbibed. And then implemented. And whoever heard of history, science or geography? Here moral science takes a back seat.

Karan - played by Tusshar - is not exactly the silent type of lover. One who would show it all through fire in his eyes, passion in his heart. Now breaking into a jig here, now stroking his guitar, now having a rumbustious relationship with his pals. He is anything but a brooding, long-suffering lover. He is no Devdas. Unfortunately, he is also no Shah Rukh `Ki Ki Ki Kiran' Khan. He might be able to sort out his friends' disputes but when it comes to matters his own, he is helpless. And as he discovers, silence is not necessarily an ally of admiration. Nor a propellant of the wagon of love. Also, patience - so profoundly preached by his sister, Rinkie Khanna switching over to the little sister act - may be a virtue in many other facets of life but in matters of love it may just boomerang.

The first half of the film is nothing but a mindless juxtaposition of beautifully-mounted peppy songs, campus scenes and a little family banter, the saving grace being Amrish Puri as Bade Papa who evokes smiles and says it all with catchy one- liners.

The film improves in the second half with a dash of emotion thrown in as the taciturn hero seeks his heroine at every nook and turn. And then falls beguilingly short. However, that is not saying much as after a tame first half, the film could only improve. ``Mujhe Kuchch Kehna Hai'' is a young film meant for the young, starring young actors. But young does not necessarily mean zestful or vigorous or blemishless. Youth has its moments of frailty. And this film - with a loose script, weak narration, soulless music - has plenty.

ZIYA US SALAM

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