Bollywood review: ‘Aashiqui2’ gives love a bad name

If ‘Aashiqui2’ was a music album, then it’s fate would’ve been far more promising than its current avatar as a movie.

And, it’s the filmmakers who need to own up for being unapologetically unimaginative and piggybacking on their past successes.

Chances are the Bhatt brothers – Mahesh and Mukesh – were so overwhelmed by the remarkable soundtrack that they had collected from a talented bunch of composers (Jeet Ganguly, Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari) that they decided to spin a movie around it.

They would’ve then summoned their chief writer Shagufta Rafiqui to scan for a tale of failure and conflict that could cleverly incorporate such a lengthy soundtrack, 11 to be precise.

She, on her part, researched and landed her hands on ‘A Star is Born’, a hugely successful Hollywood heartbreak drama about two musicians that was remade thrice.

And, in keeping with the Bhatt tradition of franchising their previous blockbusters, they borrowed a famous title from their kitty, and bingo… they (thought they) had a winner.

Only, their musical experiment falls rather flat.

For a movie that flaunts such impressive soundtrack, it’s regrettable that the ‘gorgeous’ faces that blindly lip-sync those lyrics are unable to strike a chord with the audience.

What they, in turn, manage to evoke is a sense of empathy towards ourselves for willingly enduring this torture.

Rahul Jayekar (RJ for short) is a fallen star, who appears strangely content about losing his slot in the spotlight and happily surrenders to mentoring a pretty face, who he believes is far more talented than him.

So, while he isn’t downing his drink, he’s busy labouring to ensure his discovery Aarohi is given her due in the music world.

Along the way, the two fall in love. She spirals into a singing star, while he suddenly develops insecurities over his obsolete musical career.

After being penniless, and only a dad who voices his concern over the telephone, RJ soon takes to the bottle, leaving a very somber Aarohi confused, much like us.

What follows is an absurd journey that addresses love, fame, addiction, friendship and much silliness.

Although Aditya Roy Kapoor is supremely earnest as the desolate star, we are unable to connect with his RJ, probably because he indulges mostly in screeching, bawling, drinking, fighting, stealing and breaking things.

He’s just so badly behaved, much like his peer Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Rockstar’ but minus the long locks and charisma, that it is evident why artists like them don’t match up as worthy lovers.

Shagufta’s writing doesn’t help him either.

Debutant Shraddha Kapoor is busy playing the pretty damsel in distress that her expressions are frozen in time, struggling to translate Aarohi’s conflicts realistically.

It’s unforgivable when filmmakers who’ve made riveting dramas like ‘Saaransh’, ‘’Arth’, Daddy’, ‘Zakm’ and Tamanna’ (among many others) have stripped themselves of any worth, spinning out daft marketing gimmicks to trick the audience.

Mahesh Bhatt's ‘Aashiqui’, which released 23 years ago, was an unexpected success story but one that had its heart in the right place and is remembered as Rahul Roy and Anu Agarwal’s (only) memorable act.

It’s “sequel” helmed by Mohit Suri, however, focuses on attempting to a money-spinner, thus ripping it of its soul.

What it does share with its supposed original is a jacket and the name of its male protagonist. It’s fate, however, will be far more damaging.

Isn’t it ironic that for an industry which incessantly makes romantic films, it is still unable to churn out a simple, heartwarming romantic story.

So, skip the movie, and buy its music CD instead. You won’t regret it, I promise.

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