Luck by Chance

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There is one scene in the film, Farhan tells Konkona 'Chances do not come your way, They must have to be taken; believe in yourself and keep doing what you believe in'.. This is the true essence of the movie. And so honestly it sticks to it. You just get involved in it like it is around you. Inspiring you.

‘Luck By Chance’ directed by Zoya Akhtar, lives up to all expectations. For a debut director, this is one of the best ventures in recent times. It’s a movie, about movies [and I just Love that genre]. Which is more of a cliché in Bollywood. So many movies are made about movies. But this one, travels the same road with a different vehicle. And the journey is so realistic yet entertaining. I would not tell Zoya has outshone Farhan for making a debut, cause both movies are so different. I would not like to compare them. But still, Zoya looks more sincere while Farhan likes to have fun around. Both are best at their own places.

Pen, Paper & Projection :
One thing I was really worried about, was risk of being cliché. So many movies made earlier, showing insides of Bollywood, casting couch, envious couples due to one’s success and so many faces of movie making. Here everything is there, but it is shown such a different way, nowhere you feel that you have seen this before. Treatment is so very different. Story revolves around struggling actors, big banner producer, failed actor turned director, old time diva and her daughter going to become star and a superstar. Each character developed such extensively. You can instantly relate to each of them, but uniqueness of the writing is that – you cannot identify them that ‘this is the real life producer, that superstar etc.’

Screenplay is also brilliant. You can see everything around in film industry. Whenever there is party on screen, you can feel aura of stars around you. Like that you are partying together. Dialogues are witty and satirical. Javed & Farhan does great job with DCH kinda one liners too. That’s Farhan’s trademark style. Cinematography is bright and crispy. Everything is so colorful as Bollywood. I could see girlish feel all over though. And that’s good. Girls do love colors so much, and our films are like rainbow. Remember, another lyrics writer daughter’s film – Filhaal [directed by Meghna Gulzar] – that movie too had this colorful works and if looked amazing.

Editing could have been more better when film progresses. Still no complaint of getting bored. I did not get tired of seeing stars stars and more stars [there are nearly 26 special appearance]. But I think better editing in second half, would have been added advantage. Direction point of view, Zoya shines. One never feel this is a debut of her. Movie looks so mature, each scene is well conceived. The best moment was in beginning of the movie, the title sequence ‘one of the best’ one. Where all backstage people are shown working for movies. Spot boys to light men, makeup men to tailors, cleaners to chaiwallahs. Everyone has a dream to be seen on silver screen. And that moment is so brilliant with song ‘Yeh zindgi bhi’ running in background. Kudos Zoya !!

The Works & Performances
Getting this big starcast in your debut movie, is burden for a film maker. To balance each act with proper importance to script is tough task, and movie does it all. Not a single performance is below ‘Good’. From the opening scene, showing Ally Khan and Konkona I could see that. All just all has performed so well. Each actress around today, can have lessons from Konkona. My God, she is superb. So easily she slips into her character which has so much layers in it. Farhan, is just so suitable for this role. Thank God, Zoya waited for 7 years and finally she got the actor in her home. Farhan easily carry off this struggler with a dash of negative feel.

Haye Allah [TM theBollywoodFan]-Juhi is to watch out for. How on earth she can maintain herself so well? Rishi Kapoor is outstanding. As an old time producer, whom now new generation is neglecting – is well performed. I loved him in a scene where he breaks down against Juhi. The Diva-Dimple, is shining again after DCH. Old time diva, who has seen it and done it all in her life, perform flawlessly as a starlet mother. Similarly Isha Sharwani as a cute little chick living in her pink world, gonna be star – is also good. She looks stunning and dances damn good.

Special applause for Hrithik Roshan, too. He performs himself-a superstar. And man how he performs !! in one scene Rishi tells him “if you perform bad, that too is Good over others’’. True. He just perform the part with such involvement. I loved his two scenes, one – feeling insecure in confrontation with Farhan. And the second – he is sitting in car and interacting with street children. So natural in both.

Special appearance are also so much special. I never felt this was unnecessary. Each has a meaning to it. Each describes real life qualities of the stars. I could go on about all, but I like to mention one here, the SRK’s scene – it was brilliant. So damn good….

Song ‘n Dance
As discussed in my music review, awesome soundtrack backs up this movie a lot. And weaving of the soundtrack is absolutely amazing. Even the background score is very well designed. Each important scene has one single theme music. A track for all-is superb. I wish I could put it up here. But listen movie carefully, even the scene with SRK has got that track in background. S-E-L I love you guys.

Choreography is really colorful. Baawre is riot of colors on screen. And its quite enjoyable. Hrithik puts his steps smoothly and rest is blast on screen. While Pyaar Ki Dastaan is lovely mushy bollywood love song. Sapno se bhare naina creates great effect. Yeh aaj kya go gaya is quite refreshing. Opening and closing credits are brilliant. Opening as mentioned earlier was unique. And closing the movie with superb rendition ‘O Rahi Re’ is WOW !!

Audience Reactions
As mentioned in Raaz Review post, I was sure that this would never find place in masses. It’s a multiplex movie, for viewers with patience. And love for the film industry. These much detailed thing seems indigestible to common people. I could see them getting much bored at the movie. [Even one of my colleague had seen this First day first show, and rated it awful]. Its just that, people who love the insides of the industry, will love this movie. This is quite sensible version unlike earlier flicks like Page 3, which were out and out commercial. Remember Mast?? It was genuine movie about Movies. And it failed miserably just for that reason. I loved it the way it was shaped. Same case is going to be here too. This movie is surely getting rave reviews and applause from all over, but commercial it will work only in metros and multiplex.
[But who cares??!!! This is a piece of brilliant movie making, and worth to relish on and on again]

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Ok movie not a must watch.

Well, The title itself suggests that the Movie is all about Farhaan Akhtar’s brilliance, be it in the acting field or dancing around the trees. :d Farhaan has showed the world   he can not only direct but dance(Hritik’s Birthday party ) and  act (Luck By Chance)  and Sing (Rock On). If this was not all he is rocking the television sets with his different yet convincing Hosting Style in “Oye !!! It’s Friday). He sure has the Brain of Einstein on his Head. He can surely give  those who’s who of the Bollywood Stars like Bachchhans, Khans, and Roshans a run for their  Money.

Story and Screenplay :   Zoya Akhtar didn’t have to much of the work so far as the Script is concerned coz the content is just another Struggler’s life saga who comes to Mumbai and makes the mark. Although she impressed with the Screenplay as this was the only tool with which she could  grip the audience to their seats.   Every now and then the guest appearances of the Well known celebrities of the bollywood keeps the flow of the movie alive.

Direction :    Zoya Akhtar has already proven her worth  as an assistant director to Farhaan in lakshya and Dil Chahta Hai. Luck by Chance adds one more star in the sky of Zoya’s Potentially Long Career as a Director as Kismat Talkies is already under Production.  She has brought out good performances from all the Other Actors  besides Farhaan and Konkona. 

Cast and Performance :  Farhaan as already mentioned gives yet another Superlative and perhaps more brilliant performance after and than Rock On.  Man!! This Guy  is a genius. Konkona Sen Sharma as always  gives the signature par excellence performance as the lead heroine in the movie.  Isha Sharwani looks good as newcomer in the Movie. Rishi Kapoor and Dimple also give soul to their characters as ever.  Sanjay kapoor also justifies his character. All the Other actors  in guest Appearance were also to the mark. Hritik’s character was strong but he didn’t play as was expected from him.

Music :   After a long time Shankar Ehsaan Loy disappoints their Fans with such a lame Music. They had fairly convenient script for their liberty to make Music but they were  boringly forgettable.  Sapno se Bhare Naina although is a catchy tune.  Lyrics by Javed Akhtar could not do much as the  Music did not back it up well.  Just  call the waiter and order your popcorns and go to the loo if you have  during the Songs.

Technicals :  Other Technicals were not outstanding  and not bad also. They were Okay . Choreography in the  Hritik’s Song was Pathetic.  Costumes were also Yuckkk….  I cant think of any reason why people make mistake when they have such a liberty to work ?.. Producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhaan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar has saved a lot of money I must say. :d

                            But the performance of Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen Sharma takes the Movie to thw whole new level altogether.  The Movie is not boring for sure if you  watch the Movie with your brain on. ;) 3 Stars for this  honest Effort.

This movie is good...... but its story is ok.... the firt half is very boring!!! till the stars come..... n second half is funny!!!

Spl appearance of SRK.... his apperance was really spl.... i luvd him very much!! indeed i watch this pic bcos of him only!!! n hrithik was also good!!

konkana sharma n farah akhtar were havin goo chemistry until niki came in b/w them n thy got aprt!!!!!! the end was very bakwass there should b good ending...... both sona n vikram grt aparted tht was really very sad`!!!!

Another Akhtar works her magic.

Zoya Akhtar’s Luck By Chance is a very ‘real’ and objective look at the two-faced film industry - the sweat, connections, talent and mostly luck if you are an outsider. And the unwavering belief that they will make it big. Eventually.

The cast’s fabulous as each one fits quite nicely into their characters.

Rishi Kapoor is the larger than life, jovial director Romy Rolly and Juhi Chawla’s his chirpy wife Minty with a strong faith in God, gems and numbers. Sanjay Kapoor is Ranjit Rolly making his directorial debut.

Dimple Kapadia is Nina, the star mother who is tough, over protective, throws starry tantrums and will let nothing get in the way of her daughter’s success. Isha Sharvani is Nikki, the star daughter and very princessy.  Hrithik Roshan is Safar Khan, the star.

Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) is a theater actor from Delhi who is in Mumbai looking for a big break. Sona (Konkana Sen) is a naïve wannabe actress who lands small roles while waiting for producer (and lover) Satish Choudhry to cast her as a second lead.

Vikram believes in himself and not luck (spouts some philosophical stuff ‘bout that) but ironically it is luck that lands him the lead role in Nikki Walia’s (Isha Sharvani) debut movie.

He works his charm on the mother-daughter and soon has them both vying for his attention. He has more women than he can handle when girlfriend Sona lands up on the sets. 

Sona, on the other hand, after all the hard work, does not become a star on the big screen but does win a fridge.

Success gets heady and that’s when Shah Rukh Khan makes an appearance and gives Vikram some ‘advice’.

On the other hand, our girl Sona has something better up her sleeve.

The movie has a sprinkling of stars – Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Javed Akhtar, John Abraham, Shabana Azmi, Akshaye Khanna, Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Karan Johar et al.

If you liked Dil Chahta Hai and Rock On, you’ll love this. And it is nothing like OSO.

After "Raaz - The Mystery Continues" did great the box-office, the box-office now awaits for "Luck By Chance" to dominate the box-office. The film is good and I MEAN GOOD! "Luck By Chance" taps almost every important facet of Bollywood and presents assorted characters you've encountered some time in life: An over-ambitious aspirant who knows to make the right moves; an actress trying hard to get that big break, even if she has to compromise; an icon of the 1970s who desperately wants her daughter to be a star; a producer who looks at riding on big names, script be damned; a failed actor now looking at direction to redeem his career.

 One of the prime reasons why "Luck By Chance" works is because the writing which is by Zoya Akhtar is simply wonderful. Right from the characters, to the individualistic scenes, to the way Zoya puts them in a sequence, it is easily one of the most cohesive scripts this side of the Atlantic. The movie is about Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma) who dreams of becoming a Bollywood star and she meets Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) who also wants to be a star and they get together. It then explains about a filmmaker called Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) who is making a movie with a superstar called Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan), but soon Zaffar opts out of the film and now Rolly has to find a new star. Vikram auditions and now the rest is for you to watch.

 LUCK BY CHANCE picks up characters straight out of life and that's the beauty of this script. The interesting part is that each of these characters has a story running parallel to the main story. Although the writing is foolproof, this review would be incomplete if one failed to acknowledge a number of scenes that are the hallmark of this enterprise...

Farhan Akhtar does excellent! I have to give it to him. He is a talented director and he is  doing better as an actor. Konkona Sen Sharma is so believable and so dramatic, what an actress. Rishi Kapoor is great. Isha Sharvani does her part well. Hrithik Roshan is so handsome and did so well. Hrithik Roshan is truly wonderful. Note the sequence when he strikes a conversation with Karan Johar, only to realize that he himself had paved the way for Farhan in the industry. Only an accomplished actor could've handled this sequence with aplomb. Amongst the A-listers who make fleeting appearances in the film, the one who registers the maximum impact is Shah Rukh Khan.     

 I am confused. Always, always I am confused between Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy [referred in here as SEL] and A R Rehman. I don't want to compare the two, but naturally comparison ho jaati hai. Rehman gives such stupendous score in each film. While SEL gives music, which is totally involved in the film. One can not think anything but the movie itself. Like in TZP, Rock On – which we have heard recently. Tracks are so dedicated to the movie itself.

Luck By Chance, is a movie about Film Industry, aspirations of youth to join it and hopes higher then sky. To become star, a big star in this wide wide sky. So here, SEL presents a really interesting combination of tracks for the movie. While daddy dearest Javed Akhtar gave some nice words to it. After all, its Zoya Akhtar's debut as Director.

Yeh Zindgi Bhi: The album starts off with a track that describes the theme, even story of the film. Loy Mendonsa & Shekhar [of Vishal-Shekhar] gives voice to this beautiful rendition. Its about ambition and aspirations. And where does life takes them. Song starts with low note, and Shekhar adds special touch and cozy feel. In its peak, the song gets vast feeling and following words describes the feel of the movie. Shekhar of Vishal-Shekhar pair, has sung this, while in Dostana - Shankar Mahadevan sung Desi Girl. Now that's what I call Professionalism. The tradition of singing in other musician's work is going really good places.

Jo palko ke tale, hai apne sapne leke chale, ha kah do woh chale sambhalke;

Naa karna koi gile, kahi jo thokar aisi lage, ke sapne toote Aansu Chhalke''

Baawre : We get another surprise, another performance by Loy. I am just surprised why he had not been singing till now. This is kinda desi track. Starts off with qawaali kind of rendition by Shankar. This track is mad mad mad ride to Bollywood. The colorful movies with chorus dancing and dancing stars. Close your eyes and you can see colorful Bollywood around you. Lyrics are also apt for this feel. I would not call this Foot Tapping, but Body Rocking. You oughta see Hrithik dancing to this tune. He is superbly awesome. Here is the video….

Interestingly, this tune goes Don way after first half. The Don theme, which featured in SRK theme, this is exactly same. Don't be surprised if you get to see SRK on the screen. Also the Last track – Baawre [remix] is very much same as Don's remix theme.

Pyaar Ki Dastaan: Now, we have to take at least one love ballad, if this is movie about Bollywood, no? Here, SEL special. Lovely as usual SEL songs are. Amit Paul [runner-up of Indian Idol 3] teams up with ever dependable Mahalaxmi. This is quite a mix of Chup chup ke [Bunty/babli] & Mera Dil [Salaam-e-ishq]. So smooth and lovely words. Predictable words, though, you will love the track.

Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya : Smooth, is the main word of this album. All tracks are so smooth, I just love them. This is a soft rock kinda song by Sunidhi. She leave us thinking why SEL didn't took her in Rock On?? Drums, keyboard and vocals everything is so fine. The song is about Morning, and hope, which comes by every new dawn. Yaay, I want more of this,SEL, keep going on…

Sapno Se Bhare Naina: Finally, here came track which I was waiting for. Since the first promos were out, I was dying to listen this fabulous track. Shankar Mahadevan, proves to be Most Versatile Singer, in this industry. Song starts with slow rendition with Classical Fusion touch. And goes damn well with Bass. The words expresses depression and struggle of a newcomer. We already have seen in promos.

Interesting part of the track is halfway. Where Shankar does his fantastic job, the Sargam [indian classical] sung is damn damn good. I cant get enough of this track.

O Raahi Re..: Guitar. I just love this thing. And when Ehsaan is playing that…..wow. This track surely going to him. And again, Shankar shows his versatality. Such great singing. Such great arrangment. Oh my God, I am in love with this track. So soothing, it reminds of S D Burman's songs. About raahi, about life. Great great.

Damn, I am so eager to watch all these tracks on screen. Add Konkona Sen & Farhaan to this. I am chewing my nails….. Overall, this is surely a good soundtrack. I would rate this 4 out of 5. Go for it.