My first movie review and I decided to do it on one of my absolute favorites: Wake Up Sid. Released in 2009, the movie got rave reviews as the first movie that "spoke to the youth". I only watched it last year in 2013 at a very crucial point in my life. I was just beginning to fall in love with Bombay when I happened to notice that I had never watched this movie before. I had a huge goofy smile across my face throughout the movie because I was that much more sure of my love (and possible obsession) with the chaotic yet beautiful city that is today called Mumbai.
The movie starts out with Sid (Ranbir Kapoor or as I fondly call him, Ranbir Bhaiyya) trying to study for his accounting exam. (I was taking Acct at that time too so I know how annoying it can get). Sid is basically a very laid-back guy and you might even see parts of his attitude in yourself. Skip to his college farewell party, and we meet Aisha (Konkona Sen aka one of my favorites) who is the new girl in the city, leaving behind her mundane life in Calcutta. They both hit it off well and decide to take a walk through the city. This is literally one of my favorite scenes in the entire movie because Sid talks about his genuine love for the Bombay monsoons and we even catch a glimpse of the sea at nighttime.
Plenty of other things happen after the two first meet such as; house hunting for Aisha, Sid and his issues with his family and the jobs that both Sid and Aisha land at the super awesome Mumbai Beat office. If only magazine offices like that actually existed ahhh! And with bosses like Kabir (played by none other than MR. RAHUL KHANNA), who wouldn't want to work there?
I'm so glad I watched this movie later than it was released because I managed to appreciate it that much more. And this is a movie with which everyone can relate to, be it with the characters or the situation. I personally identified with bits of both Sid and Aisha's personalities as well as Aisha's desire to move away and be independent in a gleaming new city. I'm not going to go in to more details of the story but overall, it's a great watch. Excellent casting (including Supriya Pathak, Anupam Kher and Sid's friends in the movie), easy-to-listen-to songs, breathtaking scenery of Bombay, and a cute & simple plot line. As Ayan Mukherji's (too many variations of his last name exist so I chose one) debut directorial, I have to say that he did a fabulous job. So if you're looking for all of the above and for something that will make you want to take the next flight out to India, definitely watch this movie!
VERDICT: WATCH IT NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.
VERDICT: WATCH IT NOW IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY.
Pictures courtesy: Dharma Productions