In modern day Bollywood, love stories have undergone a far-reaching transformation and Tamasha leaps ahead, to something even more significant: finding your true, inner self that has been lost to a robotic work life, to discover and embrace your fun side and live out loud. In that sense, Tamasha could well be the next part in the Ranbir Kapoor-in-evolution series of Hindi cinema that boasts of films like Wake Up Sid, Rockstar and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani.
There is definitely a good thought that Imtiaz Ali invests in Tamasha and some moments do come alive and reach out strongly. After all, too many of us have been burning ourselves out; are caught in a rut . Even the entire facade Imtiaz employs – of theatre, role-playing and storytelling.
The film is about Ved (Ranbir) and his soulmate Tara (Deepika Padukone) and about their togetherness as strangers and their loneliness. Ved is a product manager who needs to break free, on his journey towards breaking free, Ved (Kapoor) and Tara (Padukone) meet in Corsica while on vacation and decide against revealing their real identities to each other. They have a great time and share some intimate, memorable moments before they part ways. The only problem is, Tara’s heart and mind are still stuck on this mysterious, fun stranger she met in a foreign land.
As luck would have it, years later the two end up meeting again and start dating. Only this time, it’s more conventional — movies, dinners, social gatherings, the works, and Tara realises that Ved is a far cry from the man she met in Corsica. Trouble brews when she tries to convince him that the real Ved is not the corporate slave who’s stuck in the rat race of life, but the free-spirit she met earlier. Contrary to what many people might be expecting, Tamasha is not a romantic comedy. It’s about a regular, unassuming product manager’s struggle with his inner demons and insecurities. The film can get a bit dark at times.
Ranbir Kapoor delivers a career-defining performance in this film. Tamasha is his show all the way and the actor brilliantly portrays the different layers to his complex character. He is perfectly casted as Ved. Deepika Padukone is spectacular on-screen. She is fun, flirty and creates magic onscreen during both happy and heartbreaking moments in the narrative.
After Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Tamasha is a far more mature take on finding ones true self and aptly casted, Both Deepika and Ranbir are magnetic onscreen. be it communicating that buddy spirit, resisting love or giving in to it or facing up to the break-up. They belong to each other. We hope to see them share screen space for many more decades to come!
Imtiaz Ali paints Tamasha on the canvas extremely well. The film is a visual treat with Corsica and Simla being portrayed beautifully. As is the case in all Imtiaz Ali films, location plays a big role, Whether it’s the breathtaking scenic beauty of Corsica, the fairy-tale charm of small-town Indian hill station Shimla or the funky, fluorescent by-lanes of Hauz Khas, New Delhi — every single location reflects the varied moods of the film.
The most important element, without which this film could never be what it is, is Oscar winner AR Rahman’s soulful, energetic and electrifying music. It will be a welcome change for movie-goers to find the songs seamlessly incorporated into the storyline rather that appearing abruptly as item numbers!
Tamasha in a unique love story with a promising plot, unconventional treatment, luminous visuals and spellbinding performances. You must consider that Tamasha is like Imtiaz Ali’s films like Highway, Rockstar and others – an acquired taste! It may not be for everyone, but it is a special film – a journey where one truly discovers their inner-self.
Rating: 8/10