Before I watched the movie, I was all set to open this review with a snarky comment about the trailer’s “why always the same story?” tagline. Because YJHD made buckets of money and boy does the press get a lot of mileage out of promos with Deepika and Ranbir, that’s why. But it’s actually kind of a weird movie. Our protagonist, Ved, is a boy obsessed with story. He seeks it out, learns of its universality, and tries to make his life one as well. He (Ranbir Kapoor) meets Tara (Deepika Padukone) on vacation in Corsica, and Ved thinks it would be a great story to go a bit nutty together and make up lies about themselves so they live it up for a week, promising never to see each other again.
Damn, girl
Juhi Chawla in Gulaab Gang. She was a fantastic villain, and it works so well, I think, because she can be so charming. Just like I want to smile whenever she smiles, I want to recoil when she sneers.
Best actress
Tabu in Haider. I could complain that she’s playing Shahid’s mother at only 43, but if she gets more roles like this, I’ll be ecstatic.
Best comeback
GOVINDA, in everything.
Favorite Song
Besharmi ki Height from Main Tera Hero
Varun has to be the most enjoyable dancer to come around since Ranveer. Possibly even Shahid. And this song is such delightful pandering. Ileana poses on a motorcycle in skin-tight leather pants, Varun humps in the direction of a broken fire hydrant. The lyrics go “saari night besharmi ki height/ik tu, ik main/aur ho dim dim yeh light” and yet somehow they manage to make it cute instead of sleazy.
Biggest surprise
Alia Bhatt and Highway. I don’t think it’s the best performance of the year or anything, but she really did pull this off, and Imtiaz Ali made it all work.
Highway also takes best soundtrack, far and away. Tu Kuja is full of such raw despair and the pure human spirit that nobody can do like A.R. Rahman. Bonus points for a fantastic use of Alia’s voice in Sooha Saha.
Most heartbreaking moment
Parineeti Chopra at the end of Hasee toh Phasee. Through the entire movie, we’ve seen Meeta’s coping skills for all life throws at her. Her intelligence, her quirks, her self-prescribed medication, stealing, running away, everything. And yet, in this moment, none of it is enough.
And finally, my favorite movie of the year
Bobby Jasoos. It's seriously adorable. Bobby is an extremely enjoyable character, with strengths and flaws (not just quirks!) and despite it all, a very clever detective. Sure, it’s a little silly, and the ending is a little rushed, but watching her navigate her dreams and her relationships is charming, and it’s just got all the right Bollywood feelings. And in the end, it’s all about family. Plus, Vidya! How can you not love her?
