October 14, 2011
Cast: Saqib Saleem, Saba Azad, Nishant Dahiya, Tara D’souza, Mita Vasisht
Director: Nupur Asthana
Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge is a terrible title for a film that’s not so bad. Set on a swanky campus (although we never once see students in class or poring over books), this rom-com is funny, and corny even, but thankfully never makes the mistake of turning sappy or sentimental. Director Nupur Asthana shrewdly taps into the youth’s obsession with online interaction, and creates a premise around the freedom and anonymity that the Internet offers.
Vishal has the hots for Malvika, but he doesn’t have the confidence to tell her. He goes online, pretends to be his cool musician buddy Rahul on Facebook, and strikes up a friendship with Malvika. Preity, who thinks Rahul is cute, hides behind the identity of her friend Malvika on Facebook, and responds to Vishal’s overtures, thinking she’s befriended Rahul. As it turns out, in the real world, Vishal and Preity can’t stand the sight of each other.
The plot isn’t particularly original or inventive, but the film moves briskly, and has a consistent tone. It’s centered on a bunch of silly twentysomething-year-olds, and the good thing is they behave and talk like silly twentysomething-year-olds. At one point, Vishal asks Preity if she has a boyfriend, to which she replies in the negative. “Lesbian?” he enquires mischievously.
The film works because it gets what it’s like to be young and carefree, and because the director doesn’t manipulate us with unnecessary emotional BS. Characters recover from heartbreak and betrayal without too much of a fuss, and even a Gossip Girl-style MMS scandal blows over pretty quickly.
There’s a cheesy subplot in which our leads must interview and photograph married couples who reminisce about the early days of their romance; mercifully these portions are brief. The film has a peppy score by Raghu Dixit, but most of the songs feel interchangeable because the situations are repetitive. Of the cast, Saqib Saleem grabs your attention with his feisty performance as the quick-witted Vishal, and Saba Azad has a likeable presence as Preity. They carry the film’s smart lines without any hiccups.
I’m going with three out of five for director Nupur Asthana’s Mujhse Fraaandhship Karoge. Like the demographic it represents, the film makes for good company, and isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. An enjoyable one-time watch.
(This review first aired on CNN-IBN)
As you said the title of the movie didnt motivate me ….. and i never expected you would rate this movie a 3 star.. since you have said positive about it . I think i muct watch it
Comment by Deepti — October 15, 2011 @ 1:10 am
Hmmmm. Looking fwd to iy. Now that u have given 3 , i will go wid high expectations
Comment by ashish — October 15, 2011 @ 9:28 am
Quite unexpected especially after “Luv ka the End”
Went to watch the movie after your review & was pleasantly surprised.
Thank you.
Comment by Pronita — October 15, 2011 @ 10:28 am
Masand i take your reviews seriously and only watches a movie after knowing what your say is …. So i need a clarification here ,of course you wont reply i know , but i hope someone sensible would step in and help me out … what i need to know is , ” has the banner got anything to do with your rating here (you are lenient these days, but still)” ???
Comment by Rahul — October 15, 2011 @ 1:01 pm
WOW —— wasnt sure that the movie would be watchable;
bt seems worth a watch post reading ur review!
waise, whats ur expectations from RA.ONE ??
please share ur thoughts!
Comment by Arko Banerjee — October 15, 2011 @ 1:36 pm
Yashraj films have delivered over the years. Hence none of their movies cannot be written off, no matter how bad it appears from the title, trailers or actors. With a good review here, I think will watch it.
By the way, Mr. Masand, many users might be using your website as the most credible source of reviews for newly released Hindi movies. For Hollywood movies, there is IMDB but for Bollywood, there is no other.
Hence it might make sense to make reviews of newly released movies more prominent and searchable from your home page. Thanks.
Comment by Amit Panda — October 15, 2011 @ 3:24 pm
If Boolywood keeps is short and simple it hits it right. This one with 1.50 Hrs is a nice watch.
Comment by Amit — October 15, 2011 @ 8:26 pm
Haven’t seen it yet, but better be good…coz lately having double thoughts on your reviews…coz i really liked Real Steel…
Comment by Salman Khan — October 15, 2011 @ 9:02 pm
I know the title is quite disappointing but the trailer of the movie was itself very promising. For me MFK is on this Sunday.
Comment by Sadaf — October 16, 2011 @ 12:05 am
mr. masand
i (read we) nvr r sure wat to expect frm u…u like d movies dat luk dull just by d trailers n curse d others…being a die-hard fan i hv got to watch it now…thnx for d review btw….
Comment by Chirag — October 16, 2011 @ 4:26 pm
i really follow u as ur reviws are real gud n im also ur FAN.
Also i agree with most of ur reviews regarding bollywood or hollywood movie
but……yesterday i did saw dis mvie n it was like…….
jus OK!!!!! in sme parts it was sloppy n by the end of mvie is was EVEN not satisfying….
U mst had gne with 2 instead of a regular(=GOOD=) 3!!!!!!
Comment by nikhil — October 20, 2011 @ 11:06 am
whats between rajeev and facebook……films related to facebook tend to get to better review from rajeeev….. wonder y …!!
Comment by rohit — October 22, 2011 @ 9:14 am
Hullo everyone, if anyone still wondering whether to watch it, stop wondering and go ahead…
It’s not as-such a great film, but a cute, innocent film with great characterization and efficient storytelling, quite crisp.
Rajeev, Liked your review and rating on this one…
Comment by Vijeta Dahiya — November 2, 2011 @ 7:48 pm
great film….must watch…i bought the cd of the film and was surprised to find the fim to be so good.. masand is right…!! 4 stars from my side..
Comment by anonymous — December 1, 2011 @ 8:17 am
Movie was good enjoyable all the way !
Comment by Yash — July 28, 2012 @ 1:59 pm