The Journey of the 3 Amigoz was a roller coaster ride...Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

It's my second review of a film...coincidentally it is another Farhan Akhtar Production but then I assure you that you'll see English/American films too later according to my perspective.
Okay, this time it is the much awaited Zoya Akhtar's second directorial venture after her interesting first film 'Luck By Chance' that was about the Hindi Film Industry. Well, her second film 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' is about three best buddies who venture out on a road trip to Spain. Sounds familiar...3 buddies, trip ('Dil Chahta Hai') ? Well it is not so, the similarity ends there. This is a story of Kabir (Abhay Deol) who plans out a road trip well a bachelor trip with his best buddies Arjun ( Hrithik Roshan) and Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) after he is engaged to Natasha (Kalki Koechlin). The trip didn't take off as they had planned after college four years ago so its Kabir who wants to make the most of it this time around with his two best friends. Imraan is an Ad Copywriter in Delhi, Kabir is in the construction business in Mumbai while Arjun is a financial trader in London and is busy real busy who refuses to go for the trip but finally gives in when Kabir cajoles him. The trio meet at Barcelona (Spain). The adventure trip thus begins. We then witness Spain's locales and trust me the cinematography is excellent. The trio happen to have a chance encounter with Laila (Katrina Kaif) at a beach who later turns out to be their sea diving instructor....Oh before I proceed, the trio also had made a deal that each one would choose any adventure sport and the other two would have to do it with him. The first sport was Deep Sea Diving and it definitely changed the life of one of the trio. There is lot of fun and frolic plus we get to know why Arjun is so money minded and serious in life. The La Tomatina festival of Spain was shot really well with the song Ik Junoon (Paint It Red) playing in the background. There is a strained relationship between two of the friends and it is this trip that helps them bond and overcome their fears. The fun lasts till the interval when Natasha, Kabir's fiancee lands up at Spain.
The story moves forward post interval where we experience the drama, tension and all the conflicts unfold and it is this half of the movie that really changes the tone of the film. It gets serious, the friendship and other relationships all tested and definitely how the three men come of age is the crux of the story and how their lives change forever. Revealing anything more would spoil the fun...oh yes the fun part is definitely breath taking in the Sky Diving Scene and also the symbolic Racing with the Bulls scene where the true theme of the movie is explored-You live only once.

To rate the performances, Hrithik Roshan as Arjun has pitched in an excellent performance since he is the one who goes through a major transition in the story. Abhay Deol as Kabir has dispalyed light and tense moments really well. Katrina Kaif as Laila plays the spirited girl with a lot of elan. She is definitely improving. Kalki as the rich, insecure, possessive fiancee has done well. The cameos by Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah were a treat but in my opinion the scene stealer was Farhan Akhtar as Imraan who played the prankster as well as the most troubled among the trio with ease. He excelled in the dramatic scenes.
The music by Shakar Ehsaan Loy is melodious and goes in sync with the movie with some soulful tracks. There is beautiful poetry that Farhan Akhtar keeps narrating in the story and it has a lot of meaning. The only glitch in the film is that it could have been trimmed by about 10 minutes.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a fantastic film in every aspect and beautifully directed by Zoya Akhtar. Its totally refreshing and its the characters that will stay in your memory after you walk out of the theatre. A film for those with refined tastes and those who appreciate cinema.