Given the high popular status of this film, I really wanted to see Ek Duuje Ke Liye. And well, I finally did. The movie was quite a nice watch although I can't say it was fascinating. It is a rather ordinary yet watchable picture about star-crossed lovers and the trials they have to go through, although it is filled with several moments which make it special and quite different. I liked the concept of young lovers whose main obstacle is their cultural differences. While many films portray star-crossed lovers focusing on religious grounds, here it's actually their ethnicity which plays a major role. He is from the south, she is from the north, he speaks Tamil and she speaks Hindi. Despite the many languages spoken in India, very few films have portrayed romantic stories where a language is a barrier, so it was a very interesting idea. The film is quite well directed and shot, and it captures the beauty of Goa exceedingly well. The romantic sequences were extremely well handled and are of the film's most entertaining. But then the movie has its turn when the youngsters' love has to withstand a test. This was a rather unconvincing phase and from then on the film became quite melodramatic and occasionally boring. Some scenes in which the heroine's mother tries hard to morally deter her were particularly peculiar, although I personally was curious about the film's next proceedings.
Ek Duuje Ke Liye has several songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Some of them were okay, like "Tere Mere Beech Mein" but none was really great. At times the songs came across as totally unnecessary (and I'm actually not one of those who are against song numbers in Hindi movies). The film's acting is generally good. Kamal Hassan does very well as the main lead. Towards the second half he even manages to bring a new dimension to his character. Also, his classical dance numbers were fantastic. Rati Agnihotri suits her part and is extremely pretty. At times she stared angry eyes at her mother and it was a bit repetitive but overall it was a good debut and I liked her in a number of her subsequent films so let it be. Madhavi was very good in whatever little she was given. But the film's biggest flaw is obviously its ending. It is unexpected and surprising, and I don't mean to say it as a compliment. I was totally disappointed and could not figure why the writer in his own mind would think of such a melodramatic twist, which was not necessary and did not really conclude the story well. I mean, the film was not a fairytale saga, so why end it like this? I would not go on to say Ek Duuje Ke Liye was not worth the time, I actually enjoyed watching it. I do recommend it, but remember that the first half is stronger than the second, and the ending may disappoint you.
Ek Duuje Ke Liye has several songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Some of them were okay, like "Tere Mere Beech Mein" but none was really great. At times the songs came across as totally unnecessary (and I'm actually not one of those who are against song numbers in Hindi movies). The film's acting is generally good. Kamal Hassan does very well as the main lead. Towards the second half he even manages to bring a new dimension to his character. Also, his classical dance numbers were fantastic. Rati Agnihotri suits her part and is extremely pretty. At times she stared angry eyes at her mother and it was a bit repetitive but overall it was a good debut and I liked her in a number of her subsequent films so let it be. Madhavi was very good in whatever little she was given. But the film's biggest flaw is obviously its ending. It is unexpected and surprising, and I don't mean to say it as a compliment. I was totally disappointed and could not figure why the writer in his own mind would think of such a melodramatic twist, which was not necessary and did not really conclude the story well. I mean, the film was not a fairytale saga, so why end it like this? I would not go on to say Ek Duuje Ke Liye was not worth the time, I actually enjoyed watching it. I do recommend it, but remember that the first half is stronger than the second, and the ending may disappoint you.
