Imitiaz Ali’s Jab We Met was praised by film critics upon release and said to be “one of the best romantic films to come out of Bollywood in 2007″. The two main leads of the film, Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor, arguably gave their best performances to date and the chemistry between the two on-screen couldn’t have been more genuine. The music of the film was varied in tempo but also hugely popular among the masses. Overall, the movie was the perfect romantic comedy, boasting a light-hearted but touching storyline coupled with infectious characters and picturesque Indian scenery.

Given the film gave the audiences entertainment on all levels, Imitiaz Ali’s next directorial venture Love Aaj Kal is sure to exceed expectations, if not match them on par. The film is co-produced by Saif Ali Khan and he also plays male lead. Under the Illuminati Films Pvt Ltd banner, Pataudi Junior and Dinesh Vijan (director of Being Cyrus) have humongous expectations from this, their debut production.

Fresh-faced Deepika Padukone brings to the film her charm, her beauty and completes her second on-screen pairing with a Khan - the first being her debut in Om Shanti Om with, of course, Shah Rukh Khan. The expectations, however, don’t only fall on the production aspects. Love Aaj Kal’s music also needs to deliver.

The initial promos began with the increasingly popular Twist, which is inspired by an old melody and given a new, up-to-date sound by Pritam. Mohit Chauhan, who gave his vocals to Tum Se Hi in Jab We Met, comes up trumps yet again with the soulful Yeh Dooriyan. With the vocals of Sunidhi Chauhan for the Punjabi wedding number Thoda Thoda Pyar, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for the Sufi-sounding song Ajj Din Chadeya and KK for the contemporary sound of Main Kya Hoon - the music of Love Aaj Kal seems the kind that will be popular for some time to come.

Although denied by the makers, the film is said to bear a very strong likeness to a Taiwanese film which, similarly to the story of Love Aaj Kal, runs in three phases. The plot surrounds the variation between the way love was perceived in the old days and how it’s looked upon now. The link between the two stories is Saif’s character who, in flashback, plays the younger version of Rishi Kapoor’s character. The role seems apt in creating stronger bonds between the Kapoors and Khans due to the pair’s real-life link of Kareena Kapoor, who is not only Saif’s other half but also Rishi’s niece.

The surprise package of the film has got to be the return of the much-loved 1970s actress Neetu Kapoor (nee Singh) who plays the short but sweet role of her husband Rishi Kapoor’s love interest towards the end of the film. Although many movies have been offered to the actress in the years since she married, seeing the well-liked on-screen pair share screen space once again will be truly magical even if it is just the one shot. Overall, Love Aaj Kal promises to be a full-fledged entertainer. If the music and early promotional videos are anything to go by, then the film will give Imtiaz Ali another success as director and a hugely fulfilling first production for Illuminati Films.

The film is set for release on 31 July 2009.

(3 votes. Average: 5 out of 5)