Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.

Director: Reema Kagti
Cast: Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, Kay Kay Memon, Raima Sen, Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba, Amisha Patel

One must give credit to director Reema Kagti for choosing a difficult subject as her debut venture. To narrate six stories in two hours is not an easy task. The film, which is touted as a romantic comedy surely offers a slice of life to the viewer.

Six newly married couples are traveling in a bus to Goa for their honeymoon. A guide, a driver and a handyman, are part of the entourage. Partho Sen (Kay Kay Menon) and Milly Sen (Raima Sen) come from a small town in Bengal. They face problems in their marriage initially but very soon the husband realizes that he was being too strict. Madhu (Sandhya Mridul) and Bunty (Vikram Chatwal) come from different backgrounds. They have problems when it is revealed that the Vikram is a gay. Pinky (Amisha Patel) and Vicky (Karan Khanna) are from Delhi. They are not happy because Vicky finds himself attracted to the gay. Included on this honeymoon holiday, are a young couple from Gujarat - Hitesh (Ranvir Shorey) and Shilpa (Dia Mirza). They split at the honeymoon itself as Shilpa runs away with her lover (Arjun Rampal). Then there is yet another couple - Aspi (Abhay Deol) and Zara (Minissha Lamba). They have been endowed with super-powers. Oscar Fernandez (Boman Irani) and Nahid (Shabana Azmi) are a middle aged couple. It is a second marriage for both of them and they seem to be very understanding and content with each other. A radio jockey on a popular radio show called Pyaar Ke Lamhe discusses individual characters, revealing secrets about them and their past.

The film holds the viewer’s interest for its unpredictable storyline. However, Reema Kagti’s debut direction is not too impressive. While the first half is entertaining the second half is jarring. However, some of the sequences have been handled very proficiently. But, the homosexuality track won’t be accepted in small cities and towns. Besides the angle of super-powers is redundant. The romance between the driver’s nephew and the foreigner is unbelievable.

Dialogue are humorous. Music (Vishal-Shekar) is hummable. Their tunes are catchy. ‘Sajniji’ is a hit number and has a pacy beat. ‘Halke halke’ and ‘Pyaar ki yeh kahani’ are well-tuned songs. Cinematography and other technical aspects are up to the mark.

Performances are first-rate. No one disappoints. The chemistry the couples share amongst each other is excellent. Shabana Azmi is terrific. She plays the Muslim widow competently. Boman Irani is simply superb. Kay Kay Menon is absolutely brilliant. His dance in the second half is the highlight. Sandhya Mridul is excellent, She is beautifully restrained so necessary for her character. Raima Sen is natural. Abhay Deol is praiseworthy. He is loveable. Minissha Lamba is good. Amisha Patel does an average job but is cute. Karan Khanna is growing into a fine actor. Vikram Chatwal is alright. Ranveer Shorey is fantastic. Dia Mirza looks good. Arjun Rampal has absolutely no scope. Darshan Jariwala comes up with a fine performance. The rest of the cast including Chandan Bisht, Suzanne Bernert and Naved Aslam lend adequate support.

On the whole, Honeymoon Travels, is definitely worth watching. It is a feel-good film. Must go for it. However, at the box-office it will do good business only in multiplexes.