Turning 30 (Movie Review)

30 is an age when you are perhaps well settled in your personal and professional life. And if you are not, God save you from hounding family members!

We haven't seen many desi chick flicks in India. RULES, PYAAR KA SUPERHIT FORMULA and AISHA are the few ones that come to mind. And now it's TURNING 30!!!.

Coming from a production house (Prakash Jha Productions) that has produced hard-hitting films like GANGAJAL, APHARAN, DIL DOSTI ETC and RAAJNEETI, TURNING 30 is a step in new direction. Directed by Prakash Jha's long time assistant, debutante Alankrita Shrivastava, this chick flick comprises of young actors.

With a steady boyfriend Rishabh (Siddharth Makkar) and a good job in advertising, Naina's (Gul Panag) life is just about perfect as she is about to turn 30. She feels that she's already married to Rishabh. But life takes a tumultuous turn as Rishabh breaks up with her and is about to get married to a high profile girl, Ritu. At the same time, a failed advertising campaign puts her job in danger. With her 30th birthday approaching, she's 'jobless' and 'manless' and unable to come to terms with it.

She bumps into Jai (Purab Kohli), her ex-boyfriend from college. She is involved in a physical relationship with him, but her heart still longs for Rishab. Whom she eventually chooses and what happens to her on the job front is what ensues.

The main flaw of the film is that it appears as if you are reading a book. Naina's copious and tripe narrations throughout the film are uninspiring. And you somehow don't feel for her plight. The numerous songs don't add any merit to the film. The climax, with a twist, is reminiscent of Amitabh Bachchan's BAGHBAN. It's dreary to see her whining and crying all the time. It had the scope to be much more humorous.

One wonders why Rishabh breaks up with Naina in the first place if he loves her so much. And mind you, almost the entire film is in English.

Having said that, it's not an unbearable film. The first half of the film is pretty okay, with some engaging moments. But the narrative plummets post interval and drags. Apart from the decent climax, there is no movement in the story, just as Naina's torpid condition.

Composer duo Siddharth-Suhas' music is theek thak. Akshay Singh's cinematography is fine. Editing by Santosh Mandal could have been better.

Gul Panag delivers a good performance. She fits the bill perfectly. Purab Kohli is decent. Siddharth Makkar is average. Ira Dubey (AISHA fame) is fine in her special appearance. Tillotama Shome is excellent. Jeneva Talwar acts brilliantly.

Turning 30!!! doesn't 'turn' out all right and ends up being a passable fare.