Jia Aur Jia: A grand disaster

Cast: Richa Chaddha, Kalki Koechlin, Arslan Goni

Rated: 4/10

A discovery of life, on a road trip through virgin film territory of Sweden, that too between gifted artistes Kalki Kochelin and Richa Chaddha, should have been fodder for a hit in the meaningful cinema section by all counts. But sadly, and somewhat shockingly, Jia Aur Jia is such a big mess that you desperately look for something, anything to save this “oh why was it made” venture.

The film, meant to be a learning experience for the two ladies, loses its mind quite early in the film as the two get so doused by vodka shots and liquor trips that learning of any kind becomes the first casualty. It is sad to see a film with so much potential to make a mark through a storyline and the weighty actors propelling it, go down the drain without so much as a sensible ripple despite all the talk around life and death, romance and marriage.

The direction is a big letdown even though it stretches languorously over great locales all over Sweden, a nation whose tourism department is clearly seeking a foothold in Bollywood’s shooting schedule for the coming season.

Other than that, Jia Aur Jia is a grand waste which gives no moments to remember, or even savour, despite the best efforts of more Chaddha than Kochelin.

Source: Sunday Pioneer, 29 October, 2017