Lootera was already trending a day before it even released thanks to the special screening at YRF Studio. And our tickets were booked too, the same day!
Lootera is set in post-independent era where there are zamindars, sprawling estates, opulent havelis and vintage chevys. One such zamindar is Rai Chaudhuri (Barun Chanda) who loves his daughter Pakhi (Sonakshi Sinha) more than anything else in the world. Enters a young archaeologist Varun Srivastav (Ranveer Singh) who wants to excavate an old buried civilization around the historical temple on the Zamindar’s estate. Love blossoms between Varun and Pakhi. Mind you, it is the love of 1950’s that instead of words speaks through subtle glances, meaningful smiles and accidental touches. But you still feel the frisson of excitement running through your body. Varun not only wins the love of Pakhi but also wins the trust of the Zamindar. But he is actually a conman who dumps Pakhi and flees away with the Zamindar’s treasure.
A few months later, they meet again in very different circumstances in snow-capped town of Dalhousie. In a span of few days, they again get to know each other. Though hurt and vindictive from Varun’s betrayal, Pakhi sees a new side of Varun which is loving and caring. But these star-crossed lovers are racing against time. The climax though sad is also beautiful.
Lootera is not a love story that you haven’t seen or heard before. But the way it is treated brings a sense of freshness. This love is not sickly sweet “I will get moon for you” types. This love is part selfish and part revengeful; it is also deep and passionate. Those who watch the movie will also find it loosely adapted from O’ Henry’s ‘The Last Leaf’ which is very cleverly integrated into the film. The film looks like a collection of beautiful paintings; the next more beautiful and poignant than the first. The lavishness and grandeur make you forget, even if for only a while, your own drab existence.
The film has it flaws and feels a little disconnected in some parts especially in the hide and seek chor-sipahi sequence which seems long, exaggerated and superfluous.
Ranveer Singh is a fine actor who again proves his mettle. Sonakshi Sinha is not only beautiful to look at but has also delivered a superb performance. Though just a few films old, she displays maturity of a veteran actress. The lyrics written by Amitabh Bhattacharya have an old-world charm to them while the music of Amit Trivedi is soft, subtle and justifies the beautiful songs.
Verdict: Watch Lootera and soak in the refreshing love story.