When a fellow who has watched Vinnaithandi varuvaya a way over hundred times , watches this remake in Hindi starring Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon Himself with music recreated by ARR and Javed Akthar Joining the crew of which camera was handled by MS Prabhu and Cuts by Anthony, What is in stake for him? Will he be writing a review as a positive note ? Will he ever like the magic created in Tamil, remade in Hindi ?
What made me to watch the Film ?
Though crossing century of watching Tamil version , with certainty that I won’t like the Hindi Version , only thing made me to watch the Hindi version is just a wild stupidity to know the inevitable.
Before reviewing the Hindi version I would like to emphasis on why I liked the Tamil version.
Though loosely based on 500 days of Summer which I watched only after watching the Tamil version , I was lured in it’s simplicity , toughness in technical extravaganza for a simple love story and it’s art of storytelling with Unprecedentedly classic music by ARR and Matured Never seen like this Simbu and Trisha.
With story revolving around a couple who are in love , their confused relationship , typical nature of Trisha’s character dwindling between love and family etc , one can visualize this story is of themselves.
People are there who argue this movie as a crap but if you asked me the way in which this Tamil version has been posturized each and everyone will salute the Gautham way of film making.
The characterization of Character played by STR (Simbhu) was so appealing. The chemistry between the lead pair is classic. Cinematography showed the Gods Own Country and God’s Second Home (Chennai) [Selfishness of writer to call his hometown should be enjoyed] as a visual treat should be applauded. Back Ground Music as always by ARR is another leading actor played. Screenplay of GVM proved he was veteran and easily in the league of MANI. The power in which STR provides the punches in his emotional dialogues the one in Ode Café and the other near His house when they return after the movie and the romantic way of proposing in Backwaters of Allepey can be easily knowing and understanding there is a huge transformation of STR as an Actor.
Coming to Trisha , they way she carried herself throughout the movie , Chinmayees’ voice , her body language proved she is not just Hip Hop Actress. Particularly the scenes where she confronts STR. She becomes an angel when she wears and walks in sari. Always I have felt that every Ena Mena Dika wearing 6 yard cloth named sari shall not look gorgeous at least beautiful. The Act of carrying a sari by a women shows her beauty.
The symphony style of smooth editing by Anthony if I forget I would be a sinner. Costumes by Nalini Sri Ram adds value addition. Climax was another touch of truthness I feel in the Tamil version which I missed both in Telugu version and Hindi Version. Central Park scene can be hailed as Best acting by Simbu.
Ok Enough said bout VTV but my motive was to review Ek Dewana Tha !!!
All the positives I said about VTV is completely missed in Hindi Version. Though you may curse that one shouldn’t compare but should analyse on its own merits , I m helpless.
Pratiek Babbar was wrong choice as Amy Jackson. PB is not matured actor. He has no body language and no power in his acting which is very much essential for a character like this. From the first montage cut showing Amy in sari and the way this lady walks makes me laugh if not smile and adore.
GVM the Director has compromised a lot in this venture. Lyrics don’t match the music though when read has style of Akthar Saheb. Locations were all shot in India i.e. again a compromise. When the whole movie revolves around the Lead pair the casting of Lead pair has to be perfect. The leading lady has to know the language. How can you expect this Lady from Europe to speak Hindi if not Malayalam. I can understand the difficulty Chinmayee would have faced dubbing her. There is no chemistry at all between lead pair.
Only Good thing I liked in Ek Dewana tha is the magical touch of Kya Hai Mohabath Song by ARR which wasn’t there in Tamil version.
Over all EDT is a crap waste of Time. I came home after watching this movie to Watch VTV again and sleep.
I don’t know whether this is a review or sort of but I never wanted a director like GVM to make a half hearted try on this. It surely is. People better watch the tamil version with Sub titles , better watch 500 Days of summer than EDT.
Wikipedia : Box office The film had a very poor opening day at the box office with only 5-10% occupancy in movie theaters. It went on to gross just 60 lakh (US$132,000) nett on its first day. On Saturday, the film collected just 75 lakh (US$165,000) nett.
