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 Ajay Devgan produces, directs, and stars alongside wife Kajol in U Me Aur Hum - a romantic drama hinging on a story that is heavily inspired by the 2004 Hollywood flick The Notebook. The film has garnered some attention for a couple of reasons: 1) Audiences seem to be attracted to real-life couples romancing on screen; and 2) It's Ajay's directorial debut. It's clear that the film won't receive any points for a unique story, so let's see if Ajay can add anything to enhance a film that has already been made...
It's always difficult to reap the greatest satisfaction from a film that heavily leans on someone else's premier attempt and story. For one, the term "predictable" comes to mind. Giving credit where credit is due, Devgan clearly puts a different spins on various aspects of the story such to cater to a completely different audience, and his originality, at times, shows. Nevertheless, we'll look at this film as if it were completely original (of course the fact that it's not should always remain in the back of your mind). U Me Aur Hum deals with a man's ultimate test - the test of commitment, the test of true love - against the darkest of canvases. When Piya (Kajol) is engulfed by Alzheimer's, Ajay struggles to stay true to his love. And although this is easily the main crux of the entire plot, it is given limited scope by an unbalanced screenplay. The first hour and a half of the film is extremely weak in its development. The writing is tremendously slow, while certain scenes seem to last a lifetime. Of course the film needs time to grow, to establish the foundation of a relationship that will be tested in the 2nd half, yet we're given poorly executed sequences with clichéd dialogue and seemingly endless flirty banter between the leads that test your patience. If the editor was more efficient, the pre-interval portions could have been cut by 30-40% while still maintaining the same scope, if not more.
Ajay shows promise as a director in a few specific scenes where emotion is high, yet the execution itself delivers the emotional blow, as opposed to the writing; scenes such as the Bathtub, Piya's entrance into the Psychiatric Ward, and Ajay's disclosure of his true feelings at the table. All these scenes have been brilliantly executed, and only enhanced by the immaculate acting abilities of both Kajol and Ajay. From a writer's perspective, one wishes that there was a bit more character development in Ajay's character, allowing viewers to get into the complex mind of a frustrated man. While the pre-interval portions seem dragged out, the post-interval portions seem rushed. Vishal Bharadwaj's soundtrack is outstanding. However, songs like "Phatte" and "Saiyyaan" have been poorly positioned in a way that is intrusive to the narrative. Monty Sharma's background score is appropriate. However, instead of fully integrating into the screenplay, and serving as another character, the background score seems to be detached from the emotions on screen, hampering the overall impact of Monty's work. Performances by Ajay Devgan and Kajol are superb. Apart from Ajay's drunken scenes in the opening half, where he sems rehearsed and forced, he is brilliant in essaying a complex character. From his helplessly-in-love boyish charm, down to the devoted and confused husband, he plays the part perfectly. However, wifey Kajol proves to be the slightly better half, as her Piya is as real as the illness that plagues her. Although the playful wooing scenes don't quite show it, the serious emotional tension present in the 2nd half bring out the immense chemistry that these two actors share. If their real-life chemistry is even half as vibrant as their on-screen life then they're in for a very happily married life together. It's never easy to play such a dark character, but Kajol plays her with proper restraint and poise, bringing the brutality of the disease to light. The supporting cast is perfect. U Me Aur Hum is a decent re-creation. Its shimmers of originality succeed in highlighting Devgan's promising skills as a director. But it is the lopsided screenplay and choppy narrative that gets the better of the film. Nevertheless, I would recommend at least one viewing of U Me Aur Hum - if for nothing else, then for the splendid lead performances.
Aakash Gandhi is Managing Editor and Senior Writer for Planetbollywood.com. He also freelances for the Asian Variety Show at avstv.com.
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The second half, after Piya is riddled by her illness, is where the film takes off. I give credit to the writing staff for staying true to the film's mission. In many cases, it's very easy and tempting, as a writer, to over indulge in Piya's Alzheimer's. Fortunately, the writing is fixated on Ajay, and his struggle to cope with Piya's degenerative condition. This is where Ajay shows his originality, as this is where U Me Aur Hum and The Notebook differ the most.