Rollicking romedy
Shoma A. Chatterji

Kareena Kapoor with Imran Khan in Gori Tere Pyaar Mein

Gori Tere Pyaar Mein pairs Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor for the second time after Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu last year which did not do too well. Let us see what Gori Tere Pyaar Mein is all about. It’s a romcom, which narrates a lovely love story filled with fun lyrics and melodious, foot-tapping song-dance numbers. Some of the songs, composed by Vishal-Shekhar such as "Chinggum chabake", "Dhat teri ke" and "Tooh" are already top-of-the-charts numbers for phone ringtones and caller tunes, not to talk of free downloads from music sites.

What does the strapping young and handsome director Punit Malhotra have to say about his new film? "Gori Tere Pyaar Mein is a celebration of love. Dotted with song and dance numbers, the film brings to life the story of Sriram, a charismatic, carefree young man, who has never seen adversity in his life.

He sets out to re-claim his love, Dia. The journey takes him to places he would otherwise never have heard of — his sentiments as uneven as the road he takes. For the first time in his life, he is forced to think about others around him as he learns that sacrifice and hardship are all part of the game."

"I have never done a character like Dia in my entire career," says Kareena, who plays Dia in the film.

"Gori Tere Pyaar Mein is fun and frothy and yet comes with a message and has its own serious moments. It is a kind of film you can watch over a tub of popcorn, and yet, you will think long about it even after you leave theatre," she adds.

There were many casting twists before the film was finalised for shooting. Imran walked out the first time because he did not like the script. The female lead was Sonam Kapoor then but she too walked out for personal reasons. Shahid was roped in to replace Imran but when he too withdrew. It was Imran again, who had already worked with Punit in I Hate Luv Stories (2010).

Says Punit, "I always wanted Imran for my film. He was my first choice. We did have some differences on the script initially and lost around six months in sorting that out. But now we are both on the same page." Punit adds, "There’s is a method to all our madness. Imran, Karan (Johar), the producer and I are happy with this film. The nice thing about the three of us collaborating is that we are in familiar territory and the comfort levels have helped us make the nicely ambitious film that we were hoping to."

"I play Dia who is a passionate, strong-headed, young activist from Delhi. She is unconcerned about her own safety and is willing to risk everything to help the socially repressed. The unwavering and outspoken Punjabi strongly believes in her principles and does not think twice before punishing someone in the wrong. But it is this exceedingly upright almost neurotic behaviour that comes in between her relationship with Sriram," Kareena elaborates.

And what does Imran have to say? "We have gone with what the conventional audience likes — the hero and heroine end up together. I think Kareena and I work well together as a pair. This film does not have any erotic or passionate scenes but the chemistry comes across very strong. And, of course, we look good together.

When I am working with Karan Johar, I know that I can trust him blindly. It gives me a feeling of security I am very particular about. I want to work with good people and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein has given me that opportunity which does not always happen to an actor."

Punit adds, "Imran and I are back together making a super fun yet poignant film. Kareena has a challenging part and she makes a perfect chemistry with Imran."

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