Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa   Producer: G. A. Sheshagiri Rao Director: Sanjay Chhel Starring: Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol, Rajesh Khanna, Raj Babbar, Smita Jaykar, Neena Kulkarini Music: Himesh Reshammiya Lyrics: Sanjay Chhel Genre: Emotional Recommended Audience: General Film Released on: 28 June 2002 Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu  - Rating: 5.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

Ultimately, Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa is a body less product that lacks many of the things required in a youthful romance. The film plays hopscotch with its character´s emotions and can not amount to even timepass status, even if the musical score by Himesh Reshammiya is a chartbuster.

Director Sanjay Chhel has tried to do something different but the effort to make it work is clearly missing. The film attempts to parallel the lives of Rahul (Tusshar Kapoor), a young spunky non-normal kid who tries to be different. Eventually he ends up in a college in New Zealand where he meets the traditional, conservative, young woman Esha (Esha Deol). After initial antics and mushy romance, the two realize they are in love and proceed into a relationship. However, Esha´s ideals on a true relationship and the outcome of one varies vastly from that of Rahul´s. This is because Rahul has been brought up in a dysfunctional home where his parents, Rajesh Khanna and Smita Jaykar, have been unable to live a happy marriage.

Eventually, when the semester finishes, Esha speaks to Rahul about getting engaged, at the very least, and then getting married. Initially, a response is unheard. Esha then tells her parents, Raj Babbar and Neena Kulkarini, that she is brining home their soon to be son in law. They are ecstatic. The day finally arrives when both families meet, and that´s when Rahul decides that he is unwilling to get married to Esha or any other woman. Both families are torn, but Esha tries to show Rahul what love is, until she can´t anymore.

There is a great deal of novelty in the story. In fact if handled well the film could have turned out to be much more than a youthful romance, but as it is, it doesn´t even acquire that classification. Sanjay Chhel has taken many liberties in the script writing and thus leaves the screenplay with many questions. Continuously trying to give the characters dimensions by having them repeat lines about their feelings doesn´t convince us that it is so. Thus, the dialogues are even uninspiring for the most part. As a director he does manage to get some emotional scenes out with vigor, but a film like this had room for much more. Emotions in these kind of stories are imperative in making the film works and memorable. The other parts of the films which entail drama and comedy are tolerable for the most part but don´t have the required impact on the film overall. Thus when the film is over, there is no smile on the viewer´s face.

Furthermore, the current depth to the characters is not enough to make them believable. Rahul´s reasons for not wanting to marry Esha are understandable, but by no accounts justifiable with the actions in the film. Esha´s role has a better sketching, but then again, it is quite simple to create an innocent naive traditional Indian girl.

The film´s biggest saving grace can not even carry it off as an excellent musical album has done in the past (very much the case in Tusshar´s last film Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai). Himesh Reshammiya thus has to face the fact that his excellent work will more than likely go un-noticed at any and everywhere since it has been attached to such a fairly poor film. At least he tried, and "Nikamma", the title track and "Sajana Tere Pyar Mein" will be remembered. In defense of the director, writer Sanjay Chhel, his lyrics are appropriately written for the film. That is a talent he deserves credit for and hopefully some directors will take note. Being as though he has written the script for the film, he is the one who knows the best for each song and scenario. One wishes, however, he placed the tunes a little more appropriate. "Nikamma" is out of pace with the goings on.

The technical credits also fail to rise the film above its average qualities. Most of the songs are picturized nicely, with "Nikamma" standing out more than all of them. The choreography for the tune is also good, and surprisingly Esha and Tusshar manage to keep up with the goings on- in the dancing department alone.

Tusshar was never a great actor. His poor choice of films won´t convince us otherwise. He simply extends his role in Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai a little further here showing us that he has grown, but not much. Esha Deol too, shows little growth in her talent. Rajesh Khanna´s role is poor and not much can be said of his performance, or any of the other supporting cast.

Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa loses its heart in the second half. The romantic saga with a twist falls apart ending up like most romances do. There´s not much to say, except: What a waste of some nice songs.