When a successor hones the talents and legacy of the master, it reflects on the creativity of the apprentice. Zoya Akhtar follows the legendary footsteps of her father and gives us a story so familiar, yet so unique and credible. Her directional debut with ‘Luck By Chance’ proves to be a writer and director’s accomplishment that is complemented by exemplary performances even though they may include numerous cameos. Farhan and Konkana embrace the characters of 2 struggling artists in the Hindi film industry with ease and subtlety.
The film is about Vikram Jaisingh, a sincere young Delhiite whose dream is to make it to the big screen in Bollywood and a struggling ‘extra’, Sona Sharma who plays brief and meaningless roles in ‘B’ grade films while making compromises to even make it this far. This story is also about Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan) who is tired of playing the filmy hero for the same producer, Romy Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) over and over. He simply wants a break with Karan Johar’s upcoming movie. Khan’s apparent unwillingness to work with Rolly finally gives him the chance in Johar’s film while our struggler gets lucky by chance as the replacement. So begins the spoof on bollywood film making and the hypocrisy of the stars and starlets.
While Vikram has just found his companion in Sona, the outdoor shoot for Rolly’s film brings him casually closer to Niki Walia (Isha Sherwani), the gorgeous daughter of the erstwhile glamour queen Neena Walia (Dimple). Relationships fail, strain and ignite in this film that apart from all stories that lie entangled is about realizing one’s dreams in an adverse reality. Then, when dreams turn into reality, one realizes that fame and success are a “dangerous intoxicationâ€, rightly advised by ShahRukh Khan.
Luck By Chance is about the Hindi film industry and what makes it ‘Bollywood’ as we know it. The eccentric individuals, the stereotypical characters posing as experienced producers, veteran actors, unyielding directors, junior artists, hypocritical stars and the real gems in the industry. One has to get dirty to play in the mud and thus it brings success to some. While the chase to destiny tends to derail the dream train of even the earnest, it embraces those who endlessly strive toward it with a bit of Luck.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music is pleasant and soulful with Javed Akhtar’s lyrics. The film opens with a glimpse into the industry with the meaningful and enriching Yeh Zindagi bhi and ends with the soulful O Raahi Re while Sapno se bhare naina portrays the turmoil within a dreamer. Sadly, Hrithik’s item song Bawre fails to leave a lasting impression.
Konkana Sen performs at her brilliant best with realism being at the crux of her versatility. Isha Sherwani plays the spoilt heroine convincingly while her on-screen mother Dimple Kapadia looks gorgeous as ever and gives her best after Dil Chahta Hai. Juhi Chawla is loveable as ever while Sanjay Kapoor surprises us with a good performance. Rishi Kapoor enacts the stereotypical Sindhi producer to perfection with his wit and zest while Hrithik underplays his real persona to play Zaffar Khan, an actor in a career ambivalence of sorts. Farhan proves yet again that he can be an actor almost as good as he is a director. Almost…...there are parts where he is totally unconvincing, especially when he is romancing Isha in the lush green outdoors of the Konkan region. But his emotions are subtle in effect and dialogue delivery stronger than that in his own show on T.V. The rest of the supporting cast plays their parts aptly to the script’s demand while the cameos by the stars are for the first time, justified in purpose. Even though ShahRukh Khan or Karan Johar might have just a few lines to say, the impact lasts long enough.
But the film’s biggest hero is Javed Akhtar. His exemplary writing, part in story and in dialogue is what makes the film remarkable. Zoya’s direction could not have done much without such a strong story and script even though it may not show the audience something they haven’t seen before. In the end, Luck By Chance wins hearts through its subtle story telling. Even though it may be a mocking tale of ‘Bollywood’, it never gets loud or exaggerated. While remaining very real, the story never turns into a Madhur Bhandarkar style ‘hard hitting’ real. Instead, the subtle rendering of the film world’s reality and an achiever’s journey through it leaves a lasting impact which will appease in the same manner even over a second watch.
Luck By Chance shows typical Bollywood fare in an atypical manner and brings to the spotlight, Zoya Akhtar.
- 8.74 on a scale of 1-10.
