Rajhna: It's not perfect but still a must watch...

A good way to measure the success of a love story is to ask yourself how much you want
its protagonists to end up together.
'Raanjhanaa' is about a young Hindu boy in Banaras and his unwavering love for a Muslim
girl who doesn't see him as anything more than a friend. From the moment we're first
introduced to them as children - him dressed as Shiva, her performing namaaz - it becomes
clear there can be no love story here. Yet, Kundan (Dhanush) has been crazy about Zoya
(Sonam Kapoor) ever since they were little. Convinced she'll change her mind, he pursues
her relentlessly...throughout their school years, and well after she returns from Delhi
on completing college, unaware that she's already in love with a boy she met on campus
(Abhay Deol in a cameo). Btw even in a short cameo role he steal the show for sure. He gave a performance that deserves an ovation!

Anand Rai exploits the vibrancy of the holy city, and yet gives us a lived-in feel of Banaras, rather than taking the typical travel-brochure approach. He banks as much on the unmistakable charm of his leading man to deliver a terrific first hour that breezes by with plenty comic moments and some genuinely heartfelt scenes.
Kundan's obsessive pursuit of Zoya is nothing short of stalking. Equally disconcerting is the idea that the filmmakers would endorse slashing one's wrists as a way to profess love.
Yet, truth is, these scenes don't necessarily ring untrue in the film's spot-on depiction of small-town India and its Bollywood-bred youth.
The script unfortunately goes off the rails in the film's second half, when the story shifts to the JNU campus in Delhi, where our protagonists put romance on the backburner and busy themselves with active politics. Some interesting ideas, inspired by real-life current affairs, are explored here - the formation of a citizen's party, the clash between corruption and idealism, and the oppression of the rural class - but despite the filmmakers' best intentions, this track doesn't fit seamlessly into the larger narrative.
If there's one reason 'Raanjhanaa' doesn't entirely disappoint in spite of its problems, it's Abhay Deol, who offers an uninhibited performance that's hard to take your eyes off.

Well even our National Award winner actor of Tamil cinema, Dhanush slips into the skin of Kundan and owns the part. He's complemented ably by Sonam Kapoor, who does some of her best work here, going smoothly from innocent to manipulative to cynical, without ever losing Zoya's inherent vulnerability. The film also benefits from two solid supporting players:
Swara Bhaskar, superb as Kundan's childhood friend Bindiya, who pines for him unashamedly. And No One Killed Jessica's
Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub as Kundan's best friend Murari, whose rat-a-tat lines provide some of the best laughs.

Dhanush, who makes his Hindi film debut with RAANJHANAA, is simply outstanding. To state that he's the mainstay of the film would be most appropriate. You take back his innocence, his dedication for his beloved, his emotions as you exit the auditorium.The actor in Sonam was waiting for a role that would make the spectator sit up and notice it and the one in RAANJHANAA gives her that opportunity.
The headstrong and emotional persona comes across so well in this film. In addition, like DELHI 6, she's devoid of makeup and that makes the character so appealing. This film is a huge leap frontward for Sonam as an actor. Abhay Deol is understated, but effectual in a special appearance. It's a superior act, something you've come to expect from the talented actor.
The supporting cast is unblemished and each of them pitches in a superior performance. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub is a talent to watch out for. He's remarkable as Dhanush's friend. Swara Bhaskar is equally fab in a role that offers her plenty of scope to display histrionics. Kumud Mishra is first-rate. Vipin Sharma is adequate. Sujata Kumar is first-rate as the scheming politician.
On the whole, RAANJHANAA encompasses romance and myriad emotions most wonderfully, besides bravura performances and a popular musical score from the maestro. A film that touches the core of your heart. A film that's definitely worthy of a watch. Not to be missed.