The overarching theme or point of Luck By Chance is that you have to be at the right place at the right time .Its not the breakthrough story of an outsider who blasts through onto the screen by the sheer weight of his talent, its about lucky breaks and coincidences that brings him onto the threshold of stardom.
Buying back on her experiences in the field for the past several years ,Zoya Akhtar picks up interesting tit bits,nuances,behavioural patterns of a variety of people ,be it cameramen, assistant directors ,choreographers, acting gurus, agents ,sleazy producers, superstars and more .The hierarchical system of the industry is on display and so are its various character traits ,we already know of – star system,nepotism,failed actors turning into directors,starlets,stuggling theatre actors, numerology obsessed wife and film possessed producer played beautifully by Rishi Kapoor.
Farhan Akhtar plays Vikram who comes to tinsel town to become an actor .He stays with his aunt and has for company his childhood friend who is an actor too. Along the way he befriends Sona Mishra, the wannabe star waiting for the big break promised by a film-maker and in the interim is managing with fringe roles here and there.
Although the first half of Luck By Chance is generously peppered with special appearances and cameos from the actors of the industry, it lacks the gusto and vitality and is too slow, probably because it has fit in so many caricatures. But it does gain momentum thereafter as Vikram gets a call from Romy Rolly Productions.
As things pan out and luck graces upon him as he signs his first film. Success changes things and there are ramifications too. People around him change along with their perceptions, insecurities filter in, klieg lights appear and vision is dazed by stardom. And just when Vikram is sinking in the feeling on the verge of the release of his debut, there is publicity stunt by magazine which treats him as the new film fodder and he is brandished as a user who sees people as ladders he has to use to climb up.
Anurag Kashyap as the DVD writer is funny you must see the expression on his face when the star kid with her convent accent can’t deliver a dialogue in a sitting and notice how he improvises. Dimple Kapadia as yesteryear star Nina has given a very fine performance and although the producer Rolly sees her as a crocodile in a chiffon sari, her actions are justified as her outburst to her daughter shows, that she knows about the world she is in.
What pegs the narrative down is a very ordinary background score, and only 2 songs the one played in the background during the auditions for the lead (Sapno se bhare) and the duet song are good. Its fitting that the best cameo comes from Shah Rukh Khan who himself an outsider stormed the industry with his talent and belief .Having said that Hrithik Roshan’s special appearance is no less special. Casting wise Isha Sharvani is very good as the star kid ,Konkana Sharma enacts effortlessly and so does Farhan .Overall Luck By Chance is not a landmark film but its worth three stars and a one time watch.