Jaane tu...ya jaane na: Breezy and light

There are some movies that are deep, meaningful, serious and then there is Jaane tu...! This is a madcap story of two friends who gradually discover that they actually love each other. This theme of course has been done to death in many Hindi and English movies. However, Jaane tu's USP are its cute storyline and characters. Jai, played by amir Khan's nephew Imraan Khan and Aditi, played by Genelia D'souza are best friends who hang out with a bunch of oddballs from college. Jai is your quintessential non-violent type (his mom, played by Ratna Pathak Shah, insists that his dad was a strong beliver of non-violence) while Aditi is a hell raiser. Since both hang out together almost constantly, their parents assumes they are in love and broach the subject of marriage. The idea is instantly rejected by both who insist that they have no such romantic feelings for each other and embark on finding their respective life partners. While they do manage to fool themselves for a little while that they are actually in love with other people, they eventually realise that they love each other.

When putting down the story in black and white, it sounds really cliched and dull. However, the movie is anything but that. It not only explores friendships but also focusses on parental relations and even the equation between a brother and sister in a very believable way. I really liked Aditi's brother, Amit's character. He is an introverted artist who behaves obnoxiously with Aditi's friends, especially Jai, because he and Aditi were best friends before Jai came into her life. The cameos by Ratna Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin Shah (in the role of Jai's dead father) and Paresh Rawal are a treat to watch.

However, it does reinforce the stereotype that a girl and a boy cannot be best friends without being in love. Hindi movies have come a long way (or at least some) from the traditional and melodramatic plotlines to showcase believable characters, non-traditional parents and friendships. But exploring the equation of a girl and boy being best friends without any romance involved remains a taboo for all directors.