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Why Hrithik is a heartthrob!
Revealed in Mujhse Dosti Karoge
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Sukanya Verma
Love means never having to say... Fullstop. No sorry, no thank you. Even though the two lead protagonists of Mujhse Dosti Karoge are shown to be great admirers of Eric Segal's timeless romantic novel Love Story, they insist on putting a lid on their feelings till the predictable climax makes its way.
Is Yash Raj Film's new offering worth a watch? Perhaps, if you enjoy dιjΰ vus, Mujhse Dosti Karoge is just what the doctor ordered.
Set in Shimla, Mujhse Dosti Karoge revolves around three vivacious youngsters --- Raj, Pooja and Tina (Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukherji, Kareena Kapoor). Raj has long harbored feelings for Tina, while Pooja plays clichιd good friend.
While leaving for London along with his family (Kiran Kumar, Smita Jayakar) Raj promises to e-mail Tina. When the hoity-toity Tina pleads indifference to his fervent mails, good friend Pooja steps in and corresponds as Tina.
Fast forward 16 years. Tina and Pooja have blossomed into fine ladies. But if Pooja is the boring plain Jane who sticks to books and computers, Tina is a sexy Barbie doll.
Meanwhile, dreamboat Raj declares he is coming to India. Pooja takes Tina in confidence and convinces her to play along. Obviously Raj doesn't care much for the 'beauty lies within' crap. He falls for hot babe Tina who he believes wrote those soulful e-mails all those years. And Pooja goes through the sacrifice routine, misty eyes, lovelorn sighs.
Raj miraculously realises it was Pooja and not Tina who wrote all those letters. It takes precisely five seconds for Raj to do an about-face and declare his love to Pooja!
A round of uh-huhs later, Pooja concedes. Now, Tina loses her father (Sachin Khedekar). Pooja insists on sacrificing her love for friendship and forces Raj to go to Tina.
Raj and Tina are engaged immediately. However Raj vows he will not tie the knot unless Pooja marries someone else. That someone else is a special appearance on the lines of Akshay Kumar (Dil Toh Pagal Hai), Salman Khan (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) and Bipasha Basu (Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai).
Who eventually sacrifices? Who gets Raj? Do you really want to know? More important, do you think it takes rocket science to figure that out? 
Aimed at the teenyboppers, Mujhse Dosti Karoge makes for mush entertainment. Love and friendship are much repeated emotions in Hindi cinema. Mujhse Dosti Karoge borrows its title from the classic line uttered by Dimple Kapadia in the youthful love story Bobby.
Shah Rukh Khan's concept of Pyar dosti hai (Love is friendship) in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is strengthened by Rani Mukherji's Dosti hi har rishtey ki shuruat hai (Friendship is the stepping stone for any relationship) here.
Also the beaten to death quote from Maine Pyar Kiya: Dosti ki hai nibhani toh padegi is present here, too. Speaking of Sooraj Barjatya's blockbuster, the popular antakshari idea is introduced here, too. In fact the medley sequence is one of the most enjoyable moments in Mujhse Dosti Karoge.
Kunal Kohli's directorial debut takes mild inspiration from Michael Lehmann's The Truth About Cats & Dogs (Ben Chaplin, Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo), where Garofalo impersonates Thurman to win over Chaplin. The premise of the original was insecurity about one's appearance. Mujhse Dosti Karoge treads on 'looks' superficially.
First-time director Kohli is impressive. He keeps a tight grip of the plot and displays a keen attention to screenplay. Every character in the film is well defined and sound. The film moves at a brisk pace and the audience is not left to pinpoint loopholes.
Another debutante Rahul Sharma's score is decent. Jane dil main kabse hai tu is by far the best of the lot. In tandem with the vibrant nature of the film is the camerawork by Gopal Shah. Manali, the northern Indian hillstation, and London wear a glossy look.
One may recall watching Hrithik Roshan play the reluctant sacrificial lamb in Subhash Ghai's Yaadein. In Mujhse Dosti Karoge, he does the same with renewed enthusiasm. He is competent and impresses with his dancing skills. Anyone who feels Roshan Jr has lost his hold on the audience needs to watch this film. The audience's excited whistles and claps at practically all his scenes is proof enough. 
Kareena Kapoor is inconsistent. The actress looks ravishing in every frame, but she repeats her smug Poo act (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) to an annoying effect here. She does show some flair for comedy in the second half.
Mujhse Dosti Karoge mainly revolves around Rani Mukherji. Barring her strained dialogue delivery, Mukherji delivers a dignified performance.
Nonetheless, Hrithik Roshan steals the show from the two petite ladies.
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