LUCK BY CHANCE

A number of films have been made on Bollywood giving us an inside view of the workings of one of India's biggest industry. 'Khoya Khoya Chand' was one such nice movie by Sudhir Mishra a couple of years back starring Soha Ali Khan. But that was very arty, its pace was very slow and seemed to go on and on. Else, a movie on Bollywood can sell like hot cakes if it's made entertaining. Like 'Luck By Chance' (LBC). Directed by Zoya Akhtar, this gives us an eerily inside view of the industry. Right from the time the credits roll (very innovative and creative), we get a ringside view of the various facets of the industry, its erratic functioning, star power, greedy producers lusting after starlets, starlets, their struggles, the frequent trips to producers' offices, the film sets, the superstitions, the success of a film and all the star trappings that come with it, gossip, sensational media, date problems that actors so frequently drop, and all that sort of thing. And above all, the importance of being at the right place at the right time and how luck can make or break your fortunes in this razzle, dazzle world. 

LBC tracks the path of two Bollywood wannbes (Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen Sharma) whose paths accidentally cross each others' and then decide to embark on this journey together. An unplanned and a chance incident happens that severely takes back one of them by a few steps and, at the same time, leapfrogs the other's career by miles ahead. The one that goes ahead discovers that being the simple-one-next-door is not the way to be, to get ahead and so sheds all inhibitions, dignity, and what-not, to fit in. Well, so far so good until reality hits him the hard way and he learns what Bollywood truly is; that your friends who knew you in school would always be the ones to know you, while your friends who you now know in this industry have a very short memory span. Is it too late to make amends now? See for yourself. 

Zoya Akhtar's first film doesn't give away the fact at all that this is infact this talented director's first film. This is clearly an insider's film. The screenplay moves seamlessly from one frame to another and even the cinematography captures the mood of the studios, the sets, the struggler's den, very imaginatively. Lots of references to the current going-ons in the industry would make you feel connected to this movie. Akhtar has managed to extract fine performances from its cast; brother Farhan who plays the lead role gives in another fine performance after his debut Rock-On, Rishi Kapoor is first-rate; he effectively conveys humour and makes you laugh in one second, and makes you feel for his helplessness in the other second, Dimple Kapadia is as usual good, Isha Sharvani looks like a princess, Hrithik Roshan and Juhi Chawla are good. and Sanjay Kapoor was very good. After a long time, he lands himself in a role that does him justice. But the movie belongs to Konkona Sen Sharma. One of the best actresses in the Indian film industry, she lends a lot of credibility to her role and plays it to perfection. She is one of the most underutilised actresses but this part was hers to play. 

Watch Luck By Chance.

KRate: * * * *