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Notebook review: Zaheer Iqbal-Pranutan Bahl’s love story is a treat for romantics

Notebook review: Pranutan Bahl-Zaheer Iqbal’s romantic tale and their amazing chemistry with the kids cannot be missed

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NotebookReview

Director Nitin Kakkar’s Notebook comes with a lot of expectations. When you happen to be a National Award-winning director, with a Salman Khan backing your film, and you are launching two rank newcomers in the industry, the pressure for the filmmaker to deliver is undeniably high! But if Kakkar here felt any of that stress, he surely didn’t let it affect the film one bit. In fact, with Notebook, the director delivers an achingly beautiful love story that’ll tug at your heartstrings perfectly, right from the first frame till the last. Read on…

What Notebook is all about: The film is set in Kashmir, where Kabir Kaul (Zaheer Iqbal) is an ex-army man. He quits the army after an unfortunate incident in which a young boy gets killed in an explosion. Kabir revisits his ancestral house at the request of his caring elderly neighbour, Hamid chacha, and is told about how his father’s school – which is now run by the Government – needs a new teacher. Kabir takes up the job at this Wular Public School, which is literally in the middle of nowhere. Set on a house-boat and surrounded by water, this remote school is in a rather dilapidated and run-down condition. He has five students, each of who are in a different standard and he struggles with the new job and with the handling of the students too.

It is here that he comes across a diary or rather, a notebook, belonging to the previous teacher Firdaus (Pranutan Bahl). This notebook becomes his companion, not only giving him an insight into Firdaus’ life, but it also becomes a reference book for Kabir to deal with his own life and struggles. As his life goes on an upswing, he realises that he is falling in love with a woman he’s never met. Firdaus, on the other hand, had quit the job as a teacher to be married to her childhood sweetheart. Firdaus and Kabir’s lives run parallel through the film and if and how they meet forms the rest of the film.

Yay: The film has a beautiful lyrical quality and you can almost feel the smooth texture in the way it flows so effortlessly on the big screen. We have seen Kashmir being explored in our cinema for its beauty since forever now. However, few films have been able to do its beauty complete justice. This film does. Every frame looks like a painting brought alive. DoP Manoj Kumar Khatoi deserves a mention for that. The film is based on the Thai film The Teacher’s Diary (2014) but every single element has been given a desi flavour.

The film is the launch vehicle of many debutants and we must say that each one proves their worth. Be it the children or the two lead actors. Pranutan as Firdaus is simple, graceful and effortless as a performer. Did she remind us of her grandmother, the late actress Nutan? To some extent yes! She brings to the table that same calm and dignity that the veteran actress was known for. She comes across like a Rajshri heroine and we mean it as a compliment here (wonder if she grew up watching Papa Mohnish Bahl’s films).

As for Zaheer, he’s an all-rounder, a complete hero-package perfectly presented. The film gets him to showcase all his layers as an actor – action, dance, romance and comic-timing! He puts his best foot forward, easily excelling in all departments. Together with Pranutan, it’s a winning jodi all the way and their sincerity shines through, just as much as their chemistry does. But when it comes to chemistry, the best one is the kind the lead pair share with the children. In one word – amazing!

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra seems to excel when it comes to casting kids and he proves it yet again here. The children are an adorable bunch and their interactions with the two actors are hilarious and enjoyable. The supporting cast (most of them locals) is equally impressive. The songs are well-placed and help enhance the scenes, as do the dialogues (Sharib Hashmi). Some of them are really impactful, like the one where a local says, “Yahaan, maahaul aur mausam kam hi saaf hotey hain.” 

But the highlight of the film, besides the cinematography is the direction and the unconventional narrative. The director convincingly touches upon and addresses various issues without letting it affect the tone of the romantic drama. Considering the film is set in Kashmir, you can’t ignore the ongoing issues there. Kakkar conveys the ethos of the Valley with a nuanced grip and handles it sensitively. Also the build-up of the anticipation of whether the two leads finally do meet works here, and you actually find yourself wishing they do.

Humour is well-infused that’ll keep you smiling. Kakkar also captures the essence of Pranutan’s character really well. Her secret longing for freedom is also translated on the screen very sensitively using a kite as a metaphor. He plays up the strengths of his actors and presents a simple love story beautifully.

Nay: The story is simple and predictable, even if the climax isn’t. Things play out a little too conveniently in some situations and you wish the complex layers of relationships could be explored a little further. Although doing that would take the film out of the family zone and catapult it into the more adult space. The pace was a tad slow too. However, what we could not digest is the notebook itself, which seems to have come straight out of the magical world of Harry Potter. Not what’s written inside, that works fine. But it’s hard not to miss that a book that’s been retrieved from a stormy lake, burnt in fire can still be in such mint condition as that notebook is.

CineBlitz Verdict: Notebook is simple, endearing and soul-stirring, and you will find yourself rooting for Firdaus and Kabir’s unconventional, yet heart-warming love story. The beauty lies in its simplicity and the film cuts across all age groups. Stunningly shot, the film is a must-watch if you are a romantic-at-heart. The direction, cinematography and the chemistry between the lead pair as well as the kids, get our thumbs-up. Both the newcomers – Pranutan and Zaheer – definitely make it worth your money. So, go for it!

Star Rating: 4 Stars

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