Jab Tak Hai Jaan 2012

It initially had a skeptical audience predicting the entire plot within the first fifteen minutes, but numerous twists and turns ultimately kept them engaged with the central storyline. This film, a classic from the Yash Raj Films banner, features the iconic protagonist Shah Rukh Khan and is a poignant tribute to the late Yash Raj Chopra who passed away during its production. While the film was almost complete, the final song—the title track—was added at the end as a tribute to Yash Chopra, featuring a montage of him directing the film.

The narrative begins with Major Samar Anand (Shah Rukh Khan) and Akira (Anushka Sharma). Samar is a bomb disposal expert in the Indian Army, while Akira is an intern for the London Discovery Channel. After saving Akira from drowning, he lends her his coat, from which a diary slips out, prompting a flashback to ten years prior in London, where Samar first encountered the captivating Meera (Katrina Kaif), who was then a successful NRI businesswoman engaged to a British man. Despite her resolve to marry her fiancé, Meera is irresistibly drawn to the charming, street-performing Samar, who promises to teach her Punjabi songs in exchange for flawless English lessons. Their romance blossoms until tragedy strikes, leading to a heart-wrenching separation.

Meera’s introduction occurs in a church, sparking memories of her childhood. Interestingly, the actress who portrayed young Meera has a British accent, a curious contrast to Katrina Kaif’s portrayal of an Indian girl raised in England. The character of Meera is complex, often making vows to God in exchange for favors, a trait that some viewers found difficult to accept, especially in light of Katrina’s performance. Many believe that her portrayal lacked the emotional depth required, rendering her struggles between love and faith unconvincing.

Neetu Singh appears as Meera’s mother, who left her family for another man, adding a layer of intrigue to the familial dynamic. Conversations around the casting choices, especially the critiques of Katrina’s acting choices leading up to and following this film, have been common among audiences. Many felt that her consistent expressions fell flat and detracted from the film’s emotional impact.

One pivotal moment in the narrative features a disastrous accident that leaves Samar’s life hanging in the balance, propelling Meera into a spiritual crisis. Stricken by guilt and fear, she makes a pact with God: if Samar survives, she will never see him again. This scene is critical as it underpins the film’s emotional gravity, with Meera making the heart-wrenching decision to walk away as Samar lies unconscious, not even following him to the hospital.

Samar’s resulting anger and sense of betrayal lead him to demonstrate the fallacy of Meera’s beliefs—a dubious declaration that he would embark on a perilous journey in India, becoming a bomb disposal expert with the understanding that he could not be killed. After a series of dangerous missions and with the years passing by, we return to the present day, where Akira is on a quest for authenticity in her documentary, documenting Samar’s intense life.

Through their interactions, Akira often provides a refreshing contrast to Meera’s character, exhibiting warmth and vivacity that captivates both the audience and Samar. Anushka’s performance becomes a breath of fresh air amid the film’s heavier tones, providing humor and love that ultimately underscores the strife within the central love triangle.

Tragedy strikes once again when a car accident causes Samar to suffer from retrograde amnesia; his memories of the last decade are lost, triggering a desperate attempt by Akira to reunite him with Meera. What follows is a series of touching moments that rekindle the dormant feelings between Samar and Meera. Samar’s encounters with Akira offer glimpses into the man he was before, juxtaposed sharply with the haunted version that exists in their current tapestry of unresolved emotions.

The tension escalates when Samar instinctively confronts a bomb threat at a subway station, triggering the return of all his memories as he fully embraces his identity as Major Samar Anand once more. The climax reveals a deep, layered yearning for reconciliation with Meera, who emerges as pivotal in Samar’s recovery.

In a sequence where Samar tests Meera’s commitment, he proposes marriage once again, forcing her to confront the depth of her emotions for him. The film culminates in a touching resolution where both characters confront their pasts and future choices. The cinematography captures the essence of longing and the persistent ties that bind love to faith, drawing the audience to question the limits of destiny.

Ultimately, the film is a bittersweet exploration of love transcending time and promises, accompanied by the melodious score of A. R. Rahman, which adds depth to the narrative. While some critiques focus on casting and script issues, the film stands as a tribute to Yash Chopra’s legacy, ultimately becoming a notable addition to his revered body of work, making it worthy of a viewing.