Fights are indispensable in a relationship. But suppose during a troubled phase, how would you react if your partner suddenly leaves you for good? He/she doesn’t even message or call or inform in any other way that it’s over and that he/she won’t be coming back? Your partner just vanishes in thin air, without giving any explanation or a sense of closure – won’t that be the worst feeling ever? Katti Batti is based on such a situation and plot wise, the makers have a great material in hand. But the execution is not upto the mark and hence, this is strictly an okay film!

The story of the movie: Madhav aka Maddy (Imran Khan) gets so smitten by Payal (Kangana Ranaut) in the first meeting itself in their institute in Ahmedabad that he decides immediately that she’s the only who he’ll marry. Gradually, Payal too falls for him and after their graduation, they get into a live in relationship and shift base to Mumbai. As time passes, their relationship starts losing the sizzle gradually and one day Payal vanishes. Maddy’s friends and well-wishers advise him to forget Payal and move on but Maddy is unable to do so.

There’s no doubt that Katti Batti has some beautiful moments that indeed touches one’s hearts. But the situations that lead to these moments at most of the places are unnecessarily silly and unconvincing. The first sequence is outstanding (the handycam scene). Even Maddy-Payal’s interactions are lovely. The suicide bit is deftly handled. However, the office portions are very childish especially the manner in which Maddy fights or the way in which Devika flirts with Maddy – all this in front of everyone in the office. Same goes for the Devdas sequence. The interval point is fine and one hopes that things will change for the better in the second half. But that doesn’t quite happen. Again, the entry of the FOSLA band members in the narrative makes one feel that things will become interesting. However, the plan to enter Ahuja’s office is weird. Also, the song ‘Jaago Mohan Pyaare’ fails to make a mark. The marriage sequence is anything but funny. It’s only the last 15 minutes that everything falls in place well. And the film is very moving at this point right till the final scene. However, it comes quite late in the day. Katti Batti hence leaves a mark but in parts.



Performance wise, Imran Khan’s performance isn’t extraordinary but he delivers a good performance nevertheless. He is apt for such kind of roles (and not for an Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara and Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola). It’s difficult to say at this point what the future holds for him but one thing is for sure – he is played his part well with all honesty. Kangana Ranaut as expected is rocking and delivers a terrific performance. Even in the handycam scene where she’s not seen but heard, she leaves such a huge mark. Also she ensures that her characters don’t look similar. Payal is very different from Tanu of Tanu Weds Manu Returns although both are quite rebellious. Katti Batti might not work but it once again confirms that fact that Kangana is amazing and is here to stay! Abhishek Saha (Vinay) is very good in the supporting role. The way he says ‘Devikaaaa’ is funny. Vivan Bhathena (Ricky) leaves a mark. Mithila Palkar (Koyal) is okay and she irritates in the first half. Suhaas Ahuja (Roger) has an important part to essay and does fine. Nikkitasha Marwah (Tina) and Shilpi Tiwari (Shweta) look lovely and give a decent performance. Suparna Marwah and Suneel Sinha are quite nice as Maddy’s parents. Buggs Bhargava (Maddy’s boss Ramalingam) is very loud and hams throughout the film. Chandan Raina, Nigel Rajarathnam, Yohan Marshal and Sasha Chettri, as FOSLA members, are over the top.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music is excellent and Katti Batti’s album is one of the best of the year. Lip To Lip rests on a great idea and is well exhibited too. Sarfira is foot tapping but the best song of the lot if Sau Aasoon – very beautifully shot, composed and sung. Even Ove Janiya, both the versions, are quite touching. Jaago Mohan Pyaare is the only song that doesn’t work. Gulraj Singh’s background score stands out. Tushar Kanti Ray’s cinematography is fair and the handycam scene is nicely shot. Sheetal Sharma’s costumes are quite appealing, especially the ones worn by Kangana. Maahir Zaveri’s editing is slick especially the moments when the flashback is about to get over. Anshul Singhal’s dialogues are simple and sharp. Anshul Singhal and Nikhil Advani’s story is promising but the screenplay somewhere loses track. Nikhil Advani’s direction also fails to do rise above the not-so-perfect script. The scenes when Imran and Kangana are there together are amazing and it’s only these sequences that more or less leave a mark. At other places, the film is unconvincing. Also, why are so many characters so loud? It looks unreal and childish. Even films like Jab We Met and Tanu Weds Manu Returns rested on some moments that could have looked bad and unconvincing. But the directors of these films handled those situations beautifully and hence, the impact was made. In Katti Batti’s case, nothing of that sort happens.

Some good scenes in the film:
1.    The handycam sequence
2.    Maddy offers to drop Payal till the library
3.    The songs Lip To Lip, Sau Aasoon, Ove Janiya
4.    Maddy-Payal buy the house in Mumbai
5.    The airport sequence
6.    The last 15 minutes

On the whole, Katti Batti is quite an inconsistent film. It has some beautiful moments but the situations that lead to those moments are silly at most of the places. The supporting characters are loud and it’s only the scenes of Imran Khan-Kangana Ranaut together that make the maximum impact. Music is another plus point. The last 15 minutes is touching but it comes too late in the day. This one is strictly an okay film and it’s worth watching only for Imran and Kangana!

My rating - ** ½  out of 5!