Is love today different from what it was in the past when lovers like Laila-Majnu or Romeo-Juliet perished in each other’s arms? Today, in the age of online romance and one-night stands, many would say love is just a whirlwind. But no! ‘Love Aaj Kal’ will have you believe that certain things don’t change with the passage of time.
The movie, directed by Imtiaz Ali , stars Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone as lovers in different time periods.
LOVE AAJ: London, San Francisco, Delhi - 2009.
Jai and Meera are a modern-day couple in London. They are very happy together but do not believe in tying each other down. So when life pulls them in different directions, they decide to go with the flow. "These Heer-Ranjha, Romeo-Juliet type janam janam ka saath type couples exist only in story books," Jai says. In the real life, we have to be practical.
LOVE KAL: Delhi, Calcutta - 1965.
Veer Singh is struck by a thunderbolt when he sees Harleen for the first time. Soon after, he stands under a tree and swears that "is janam mein aur har janam mein... yehi meri votti banegi - Harleen Kaur." He travels a thousand kilometers by train to stand under her balcony only to have a glimpse of her face. And yet not speak a word with her.
Love Aaj Kal:
Veer does not understand how Jai can treat matters of the heart without passion, like a financial transaction. Jai does not understand how Veer Singh could have been so naïve and silly about Harleen in the days of his youth. But as both stories unfold, we realize that the process of relationship might be different in different eras, but the experience of being in love remains the same. So there is the frolic and despair of modern living, the liberation and confusion. And there is the past - the times of innocence and compulsion. And there is distance, and the fondness that increases with distance. Gaps widen between two people, but bridges keep growing too.
‘Love Aaj Kal’ marks the birth of production house Illuminati Films, owned by Saif Ali Khan and partner Dinesh Vijan. Sunil Lilla is the co-producer.
The movie also stars Rishi Kapoor , Neetu Singh and Rahul Khanna in significant roles. There’s also a cameo by a British model named Florence.
‘Love Aaj Kal’ has music by Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil.
The film is set to release on July 31.
