Phir Milenge splutters on to a false start. A successful creative director of an ad agency, Tamanna (Shilpa), tries rather coyly to ignite an unexpressed passion with old schoolmate Rohit (Salman) in an ethnic-chic art school (real-life Nrityagram, perhaps). It might all be quite believable but cloying and dreary in its lack of passion and spontaneity. However, from the moment Tamanna realises she has contracted the dreaded HIV virus from Rohit the film discovers its forgotten direction. Her loss of job, her fight for justice, her interactions with lawyer Tarun (Abhishek) make for a sincere, sensitive and well-meaning film. Only if Revathy could have gone a step further, given her significant substance more grit than the glow of a soft-focus lens.
The most obvious question that springs to mind is, why do a Hindi Philadelphia when there are enough case studies in India to inspire an original screenplay? No wonder the AIDS issue gets tackled at the very basic—the familiar fears and misconceptions, the confusion between HIV+ and AIDS and the expected stigma and discrimination. However, the film scores with its positive and non-judgemental tone. No one is a villain here, not even Rohit or Tamanna's employer TJ. Revathy keeps her narrative low-key—be it the emotions, the dialogues, the songs or the sprinkling of warm close-ups. But often she becomes so still and stiff in her quietude that the audience can't hear the crucial whispers.
The relationship between Shilpa and Abhishek is refreshing—strong, solid but never falling within Bollywood's romantic conventions. Abhishek performs endearingly—the best thing about him as an actor is an utter lack of self-consciousness and an easy way of carrying himself without any baggage of mannerisms. Shilpa gets an 'artistic' role to dig her teeth into and she gives it all the poignancy and feeling she's got. It's the fringe characters that don't get fleshed out, particularly Mita Vashisht, the rival lawyer who is nothing more than a caricature. And the weakest link, of course, is a rather healthy-looking AIDS patient—Salman Khan. Severely affected, sporting glycerine-induced wet eyes and a vacuous half-smile, he tries to pass it all off for deep emotions. In fact, he just remains a star through and through.
Indian Top 5
1. Dhoom
2. Anaconda: 2
3. Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
4. Fida
5. Phir Milenge
US Top 5
1. Ying Xiong
2. Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid
3. Without a Paddle
4. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
5. Exorcist: The Beginning
Courtesy: Film Information
