JAGGA JASOOS, A DELIGHT FOR THE SENSES

Mark Zuckerberg famously said and we quote, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks”. These powerful words hold true for perhaps the most courageous film-maker working in Bollywood right now. After a string of delays, the auteur par excellence, Anurag Basu, is finally back with his mega project Jagga Jasoos. We recently saw the trailer of the film and trust us when we say this, we were left speechless!

What could possibly be India’s first out-and-out musical film, Jagga Jasoos is the story of Jagga (Ranbir Kapoor) who was abandoned by his father (Saswata Chatterjee) at a tender age. Jagga’s world comes crashing down when his father is declared to have been killed in an accident. As Jagga grows up, he learns that his father might actually be alive! That’s when he decides to take out his ‘detective antennae’ (Ranbir looks adorable in the hairdo!) and heads out to find his father with his accomplice Jughead (Katrina Kaif) who helps him sing his way to solving the mystery. Oh, didn’t we tell you how Jagga stammers when he speaks so he sings instead to ‘smooth’ things out! Anyway, what follows is what looks like a complete roller-coaster ride, car crashes, dance numbers, chase scenes et. al.—all set in a world that looks nothing less than a dream.

This brings us to the canvas of the film; just one word here–SPECTACULAR! Basu has time and again proved his caliber with films like Barfi and Gangster amongst others. Jagga Jasoos seems to be the latest addition to that list and each and every frame looks like a painting which is where enters the celebrated cinematographer Ravi Varman. The director-cinematographer duo had earlier collaborated on Barfi which was sheer visual delight. Even with Jagga, the team seems to have hit the nail in the head. The frames, the colour palette of the film, and the mise-en-scène all seem to be spot on!

Coming back to what we started with, what we love about Anurag the most is his ability to reinvent every single time. After finding success in the erotic thriller Murder, he made an out and out romantic film Tumsa Nahin Dekha. After the blockbuster success of Gangster, he chose to follow up with a niche film Life In A Metro and the pattern goes on and on. And if that wasn’t all, he’s put his heart and soul into a musical—a genre completely untapped in Bollywood. Can you name one other film-maker who would call a musical their dream project? No one! Bollywood desperately needs film-makers who are willing to step out of their comfort zone; directors who work for the craft and not for the business.

Being a musical, music will undoubtedly be the backbone of the film. We are on to the edge of our seats, waiting for the 29-song music album to come out as the first three songs have left us begging for more. Mark our words, this is the album that could mean Pritam bettering his best work till date, Barfi. Also, a special mention to Ranbir Kapoor. He shines and how! The actor has never shied away from experimenting regardless of success and failure and that is what makes him stand out from other actors of the generation. His stardom is his courage, his confidence and of course, his charm. Don’t believe us? Have a look at the trailer and you’ll know what we’re talking about.

Jagga Jasoos is as important a film to be seen as it was to be made. This is the film that could open up an endless window of opportunities, a completely new genre to Hindi cinema. We can’t wait to smile, cry, laugh and live out aloud in the world of Jagga and Jughead. What about you? Share your excitement for the film in the comments section below!

Produced by UTV Motion Pictures, Jagga Jasoos hits the screens on 14 July 2017.