The film revolves around Ishwar(Amitabh Bachchan) who is the owner of a large toy manufacturing company. A kind hearted man who is always full of life. He has everything he needs in life-a caring including a caring wife Sumi(Shefali Shah) and a loving son Aditya(Akshay Kumaar)...what Ishwar doesn't have is time.
Aditya has been bought up in a spoilt way by his father-Ishwar has always given Aditya EVERYTHING he has wanted in life and Aditya has never had to work for anything. He takes everything in life for granted. Aditya falls in love with Pooja(Priyanka Chopra) and the two get married without consenting their parents. Ishwar hopes that marriage will turn Aditya into a responsible and mature man-but after marriage Aditya remains the same without any change. After a series of events Ishwar throws Aditya out of the house, At first Aditya thinks it all a jokes and takes it light heartedly until he learns that his father is being dead serious. A hurt Aditya takes the responsibility of his pregnant wife himself and gets himself a job as a stuntman. Slowly Aditya starts becoming an independent man who acknowledges his responsibilities in life both as a husband and a father but the misunderstanding between the father and son only gets worst as time goes on....and thats one thing Ishwar doesn't have-time! How Ishwar and Aditya finally get together in the end as Aditya finds out the truth is what forms the crux of the movie.
In terms of a story writer Aatish Kapida has adapted the movie from a gujrati play "Aavjo Vhala Fari Malishu" and it offers nothing new. A story of this kind has been witnessed a hundred times before on celluloid and the genre has been done to death in the late 90's and early Millenium by the Chopra and Johar camp. It's the screenplay where Kapidia scores! The movie moves at a brisk and consistent pace involving the viewer in the characters and the happenings from the first screen. Unlike other "father/son" rift movies this one has a strong social message which comes across very clearly and is bound to strike a chord with the viewer. The first half is laced with comic moments which are utterly BRILLIANT. Kapidia has the viewer in hysterics and the scenes have been written with utmost perfection. Kapidias dialogue writing skills must also be given credit here as he has done a emmaculate job here. The second half is laced with dramatic and emotional moments, while most of them hit the spot, some of them miss the mark completely.
As a director Vipul Shah again reinforces the fact that he is a talent to reckon with. After successfully directing a thriler he tackles a different genre all together and again emerges triumph for the most. Shah's forte is no doubt comic sequences and the entire first half is filled with some of the funniest comic scenes and one liners to come out in recent times. The performance he extracts from his cast and the chemistry they share is outstanding. The pace slackens in the second half as the drama builds up and some scenes just slow the movie right down(The TAANDAV sequence, unwanted songs). Shah never takes the viewer to the "ultra" serious level and never lets the movie turn to melodrama. The proceedings pick up again before the climax and keep the viewer emotionally hooked. He is successful in living up to his tag line for the most- COME TO LAUGH(laughs are in barrels), COME TO CRY(the film offers plenty of poignant moments) although at times the impact of some scenes are minimal as they appear slightly cliched. Also the entire climax sequence is a bit of a letown-the speech made by Akshay seems drawn out and Priyanka having her baby "all of a sudden" seems like a gimmick rather than merging in well with the story. The end sequence is amongst one of the best and remain etched in the viewers mind.
Performance in the film are of a high order and one can say performances are what makes WAQT worth a watch!
Amitabh Bachchan once again shows why he is Indias one and only true reigning superstar and delivers a excellent performance. Bachchan has played a father in a lot of movies of late including EK RISHTAA, BAGHBAN, KKKG but as Ishwar Bachchan adds a unique touch to his character setting it apart from other similar roles he has played. One does feel that this role isn't a huge challenge for Amitabh after the likes of DEV, KHAKEE, BLACK as he gives it all he has got. Be it in the comic sequences with Boman Irani and Rajpal Yadav, the dramatic sequences with Shefali Shah or the verbal confrontations with Akshay-Bachchan saab is FLAWLESS! Those who think Bachchan is a "supporting" actor in WAQT are wrong-Bachchan is very much the star and life of the movie and like BAGHBAN this is an out an out Amitabh Bachchan film.
Akshay Kumaar who has been getting better with every release and becoming a consistent performer all around again delivers the goods. Those who see him being good at comedy and action only will change their minds as Akshay proves that he is just as good at a emotional and dramatic role. He is superb in the emotional scenes and is natural when he cries-one can tell that the character is close to his heart and he handles his character with complete understanding and plays Aditya with the right nuances needed. His scenes with Amitabh Bachchan are great and his chemistry is simply CRACKLING.....
Priyanka Chopra after two brilliant performances in AITRAAZ and KARAM doesn't get much scope here. With the footage she gets she os an absolute natural and leaves a mark. Her chemistry with Akshay Kumaar is FANTASTIC and the two make a sexy couple onscreen. She looks absolutely stunningly GORGEOUS throughout the entire movie.
Shefali Shah is definetly one who springs a surprise. The actress wasn't seen much of after her mindblowing performance as Mrs Mhatre in SATYA. In WAQT she plays Bachchans wife with maturity and sincerity and is brilliant in the emotional scenes. The scenes between her and AB the strike a chord with the viewer and she is natural to the core.
The two biggest trump cards in WAQT are the performance of Boman Irani and Rajpal Yadav! Boman Irani is superb in his role. He was roped in at the last minute once Paresh Rawal dropped. A role tailormade for Rawal, Irani doesn't let us miss his presence and fills Rawals shoes with his own whacky style. Irani is a FANTASTIC comedian and after MUNNABHAI MBBS Irani again proves that he is one actor that is here to STAY for a LONG time. His whacky comic sense, timing and body language is just perfect. Rajpal Yadav as Laxman-the simple minded servant who is slow is simply O U T S T A N D I N G !! No doubt Yadav is a amazing actor and his talent has been utilised well here. Yadav crackles with screen presence everytime he is on and manages to steal the show with his simple performance. His dialogues, facial expressions and body language is just too good and the scenes with Boman and Rajpal together had the viewers falling off their seats...laughing...clapping.....a feat not seen very often overseas!
Musically the film is average. A genre of this type needs strong music but Malik fails to deliver the goods on the whole. The 2 songs that stand out are SUBAH HOGI and MIRAKSAM -both have been picturised lavishly. The much hyped HOLI song didn't register with me at all and the song just felt like a "club" number with a Holi setting. Also the placement of the songs don't always gel with the movie and act like a speedbreaker slowing the pace of things.
Technically the film is superb and lavish. Cinematography by Santosh Thundiyil is glossy and slick and the entire film looks like a fresh product. The stunt by Abbas Ali Moghul involving the dogs is exciting and well captured though not necessary.
All up where does that leave WAQT? A thoroughly enjoyable and clean entertainer which will be enjoyed by all. The film has something to offer to everyone-and although not orignal the film makes up for that in execution and performances.
Final Rating: * * * ¾
