When was the last time an original, youthful romantic comedy was flawlessly presented in Bollywood? Okay- there was Jab We Met recently but then it was ‘inspired’ by It Happened One Night. I scratch my head trying to remember more such names but come up short.

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na has this effect on you! It is certainly one of the most original, touching and heartwarmin love-stories ever told in Hindi cinema! The originality here is more about the way in which the story unfolds- otherwise we have seen a few flicks (like Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai) where a boy and a girl, who happen to be two best buddies who just keep looking at each other as friends without ever giving a thought about romance and later realize that their friendship was much more than mere friendship! But while telling this love-story, writer- director Abbas Tyrewala keeps his cards close to his heart and reveals them one by one. The suspense hanging over the teasing question: ‘Will they? Won’t they?’ makes this one interesting romance!

The blend here is much more than just a teenage (or rather a post-teen!) romance. Tyrewala adds a colorful buddy group, two competing love interests, diverse family ties, a crazy cop and even a ‘framed’ ghost to make this film tick- and tickle! Jaane Tu begins rather unimpressively with a whole lot of unknown actors but soon the lighthearted banter, genuinely funny jokes and moving emotions start making the characters endearing.

All the characters and their inter-relationships are very well-etched out making them earthy and believable. As a writer and director, Tyrewala conveys a lot through small scenes and that makes this film a real winner. Imran Khan playing the sweet shy sensitive Jai and Genelia D’Souza playing the impulsive tomboyish Aditi make a perfect contrasting pair as the ‘just out of college and confused about love’ best friends. The superb supporting performances (from the newcomer actors and from veterans like Paresh Raval and Naseeruddin Shah) lift this film to another level. All cameos prove memorable, all gags work perfectly and all cinematic devices blend in smoothly. Rahman’s music works more as a filler but still Pappu can’t dance makes you dance!

Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Na is a film that makes you laugh, makes you cry and makes you feel young all over again! It is a chick modern flick that may well go on to become an all time classic! Abbas Tyrewala, take a bow- you have made a memorable milestone movie!