Review of Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007) by Khalid M — 01 Jun 2007

Ta Ra Rum Pum - the name implies a fun, family oriented movie, and for much of it, it is. However there are some important messages conveyed in this movie, wrapped up in a family/racing packaging. Siddharth Anand has grown as a director since Salaam Namaste- this is partly shown by his approaching a topic which is both novel to Bollywood and assumedly difficult to direct (racing), as well as including some important moral messages.

Although YRF were once associated with floaty, sweet love stories, there is now more variety, but sometimes it seems that the emphasis is on big-budget blockbusters. TRRP adds another feather to the Yash Raj cap, as although it must have been expensive to make, it is as much about story as the exciting racing scenes. In fact, the racing scenes merely form a backdrop, providing many avenues for the story to develop (the relevance of taxis and their role in Saif's life pre- and post- the accident, the relationship between Jaaved Jaffery and Saif, the accident itself and the traumatic stress associated with Saif driving again).

The actors are absolutely brilliant. Saif is just getting better and better since Parineeta - as someone who has never particularly liked him, I'm really starting to warm to him, and with this film he proves that he really is one of the most accomplished and versatile actors in the industry. Rani is the perfect partner to Saif - we all know what a fabulous actress she is, and her jodi with Saif only emphasises this; their chemistry is amazing, and they seem very comfortable with each other and are believable as both young lovers and married with 2 kids. I wasn't too sure about Rani's 'young' look in the promos, but when watching the movie, it doesn't look too bad. Jaaved Jaffery is a revelation! Wow! He approaches the role with so much maturity - completely different to Salaam Namaste, who would've thought? Here's hoping we see more of him in the future! The kids are also good - the little boy is obviously still developing his acting skills (!) but he certainly looks cute (altho not as cute as he was in Fanaa - one year makes a difference!).

The story is really good - it manages to combine so many elements, without seeming laboured, cliched or contrived in any part. I particularly liked the fact that Saif has to drive a taxi to earn money - ironic that he is forced to use the form of vehicle that gave him success so easily (and took it away just as suddenly) in a different way, to earn money.

The music is brilliant, despite what the critics are saying. Partly because I am a big fan of Vishal and Shekhar, and partly because it suits the movie. I think that the music is suffering from what I've decided to call the 'sequel syndrome' - just like Pritam getting flak for Dhoom 2 not living upto the music of Dhoom, I believe that the reputation of the music has suffered here as it is not comparable to the soundtrack of Salaam Namaste. Obviously, TRRP is not a sequal but it is definitely being expected to live up to SN in all ways, following that film's runaway success. There are a range of songs, some of which are really beautiful (especially Hey Shona).

The choreography for Ab Toh Forever is amaaaaaaaaaazing! The best group choreography I've seen since Dhoom Again! Vaibhavi Merchant has done a good job overall, but the way Hey Shona is choreographed/ filmed, the bits between Saif and Rani don't suit the song so much. Perhaps something slightly along the lines of Tumhi Dekho Na from KANK would have been better? The animated Ta Ra Rum Pum song is really cute, and looks good.

The film has been directed well, Siddharth Anand should be proud of his effort, as should the YR camp of their protegee. He has handled the racing scenes particularly well - they must have been difficult to do, and they look really good. The family sequences are also very convincing.

Finally, the messages in the movie - the importance of education, the value of real friends, determination to succeed and overcome obstacles and most of all the importance of being wise with money and not taking anything for granted. Phew!

The main bad point for me - I felt that I didn't completely emotionally connect with the characters, and although I wanted the best for them, it was probably because it was Saif and Rani, as opposed to their characters/family. The film would have been better if this was the case, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the movie while watching it, I only realised this in hindsight.