WHAT'S YOUR RAASHEE? (2009)
Cast: Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Rating: 1.5/5
There was a man who made Lagaan, a film which enthralled one and all leading to a nationwide hysteria for that elusive Oscar, then, a few years later he made Swades, a film which touched the hearts of Indians living both inside and outside the country. His third directorial venture, Jodha Akbar was charming despite its alleged historical inaccuracies. A Hat-trick of these three successful films made us all believe that the man – Ashutosh Gowariker had truly made his mark as one of the best directors in the country. But wait.... because when you watch his latest movie ‘What’s your Raashee?’ (WYR) you are shocked in disbelief! ‘What’s Your Raashee?’ is an excruciatingly painful watch. Two years ago, Ashutosh Gowariker made a comment that he was tired of making serious films and having being inspired by films like Harry Met Sally he wanted to make a Rom-Com. ‘WYR’ is his attempt at a rom-com and I will not hold back when I say that it is a horrendous attempt, an attempt which both he and his audiences would like to forget as soon as possible.
Zodiac Signs is a discussion topic which fascinates many and is strongly believed by people following astrology. Many of us have read the famous Linda Goodman Sun Sign book in which the characteristics for various sun signs are scaringly accurate. Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘WYR’ revolves around this concept of sun signs. The protagonist played by Harman Baweja has to forcibly marry due to family pressure and for this purpose he sees 12 women from different zodiacs in order to marry the one with whom he is the most compatible with. The 12 women are played by Priyanka Chopra and when Harman asks his Nanaji as to why does he see the same face in all the 12 women, his Nanaji says “Isliye kyunki tumhe har chehre mei apni sapno ki Raj Kumaari dikh rahi hai.” Gah! It is lameness like this which makes the film fall flat on its face!
The film gets from bad to worse. There is a song and dance routine with each girl, a couple of ridiculous and unwanted plots involving the protagonists’ brother who owes money to the mafia and an astrologer turned detective who crops up regularly during the movie and makes you want to pull your hair in disgust. It would still be acceptable if this film would not take itself seriously but there comes a point when Ashutosh Gowariker starts giving social commentary about child marriage! It’s almost as if Ashutosh Gowariker is committing Hara-Kiri.
With 12 different roles you expect Priyanka Chopra to shine but in the end you are rather underwhelmed by her performance. She does make a mark in three characters but a lackluster script with poor execution lets her down. It is a shame that the characters she plays hardly represent the qualities of the respective zodiacs. Where is the stubbornness in the Aries girl? Where is the moodiness in the Cancerian girl? Where is the split personality or dual side in the Gemini girl? Where is the fickle nature and the indecisiveness in the Libran girl? Ashutosh Gowariker creates characters according to his whims and fancy with complete disregard to astrological literature which is supposed to be the basis of his movie. Harman Baweja on the other hand is sincere, acts well and is perhaps the only saving grace of the movie. Here’s a guy who has been ridiculed for being a clone of Hrithik Roshan but in WYR he is unfazed, showcases his talent and delivers a noteworthy performance.
At 3 hours and 35 minutes, ‘What’s Your Raashee?’ is a mega blunder! It should be included as a case study in film schools of how not to make a movie. If you are still interested in seeing the movie at the cinemas, my advice would be to carry your folding bed, blindfolds, some cotton plugs...all for a comfortable sleep.
