Well she didn't miss the train this time. Jab We Met fell into my lap from Amazon ad and I proceeded to read online reviews which had something to the effect of:
- boy meets girl
- boy helps "damsel in distress"
- boy takes girl home
- family mistakes him for her finance
- boy and girl try to prove them wrong
- finally boy and girl realize they are in love and the rest as they say "is history"

If you're familiar with Bollywood productions, I bet you can name quite a few movies with the same premise of which Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke is one. Maybe then you can relate with my initial cynicism about Jab We Met. But I got to see the movie, and I was smitten then I got hooked and the rest again "is history".

Okay so I'll try to move into the movie review. Well "Jab We Met" does have the above mentioned plot to it and seriously there's nothing original or suspenseful about it. You know where the story is going 15mins into the movie, but what keeps you glued to your seat really is how we get to the "last train stop". And yes, metaphorically, catching trains is the theme of this movie; a shade of meaning for not missing out on love.

Here it is: Aditya Kashyap (Shahid Kapoor) is a very rich young man who has just inherited his father's shares in a large Indian corporation. A number of things missing in his life (can't say coz u won't have fun watching the movie) cause him to walk out on a very important boardroom meeting. He mindlessly roams the streets and eventually gets on a train. In comes Miss Motormouth aka Geet (Kareena Kapoor). She just can't seem to shut up. She even talks about shoe-shopping in her sleep! One thing leads to the other and Aditya gets stuck with Geet and he has to take her home. Then they go their separate ways, but somehow it seems they'd never stop meeting by chance, and then the climax. Unfortunately this is where I "shut-up" so you can have fun watching this movie.

Cons:
- Nothing new about the plot
- Nothing monumental about the script

Pros:

- Believable chemistry between Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor (one of the movie's biggest driving machine)
- This is my first view of Shahid Kapoor and I must say he's quite talented. His interpretation of this guy is very mature especially in the nuances. For instance the first time Geet misses her train and she chose to shift the blame, you can't help but feel sorry for the perpetrator instead of the victim (according to Geet's judgement book). Kareena is yelling at the top of her lungs and this guy's response wasn't in kind. In fact, he was so calm that I went "This man is going places if he chooses to remain an actor". And I must confess I usually skip through opening credits in a movie, but Shahid is quite engaging as a man in despair as he walks the streets of Mumbai that I just couldn't get myself to skip the opening.

- Hum...almost forgot the songs. Yes the songs! I thought they were good. My favorite is Nagada. If your ears are tuned to heavy percussion instruments in music then I bet you'll like it too. Besides the choreography isn't too bad. Plus the dancers are not stiff especially Shahid. He dances well enough that one can safely say "Watch out Hrithik Roshan, looks like you have a competition in Shahid"

- Finally, if you are reading this review then I know you most likely have some interest in Bollywood, so check out this movie. This movie in one word is CUTE. If you like cute, then I bet you'll like this movie too. If not just check it out anyway; no harm done.

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Denise

Jab--And Fall In Love With Bollywood

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2016

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This is one of my favorite Bollywood movies, with really good acting, great songs that truly fit the plot and move the story line along rather than jarringly inserted. As with many romance Bollywood movies, there are some very wild premises that the story is built on---here, Geet, the heroine, is a meddling charmer who is always 'almost' missing her trains, usually due to her huge amounts of luggage, presents for her family, and pictures, plants and other items she simply cannot travel without. She meets a dejected Aditya, who is the heir to a huge company, but his girlfriend has just married someone else, his dad has died and no one in the company thinks he has the mettle to run it, there are all sorts of failed projects and the stock is at an all-time low. Geet decides to help Aditya and in the process of distracting him from committing suicide (of which she is completely unaware), she gets off the train to find her latest 'project' and misses her train. A 'roadtrip' sort of adventure ensues, complete with an indifferent boyfriend Geet is running away to marry(to escape her family's proposed suitor), lots of fun songs and great Bollywood dancing, and Aditya turning his company around, and discovering he is falling in love with Geet.

All the characters are well-developed, rather than the cardboard cut-outs common in so many films today, regardless of which country they get made in. Sahid Kapoor (Aditya) is one of Bollywood's most highly regarded dancers, not to mention a finely nuanced actor. Kareena Kapoor (Geet) is a beauty and completely believable as an irrepressible free spirit who longs for love and romance in her fantasy world.

If you don't speak Hindi or Urdu or whatever languages the Bollywood movies are filmed in, a caveat: 'subtitles' is a very loose term. Jab We Met is better than some I've seen, but figure every 10th sentence is translated. Add to this the common lapsing into 'Hindish', a mix of English and Hindi slang. I had to watch this movie 3 times before I understood all the plot. It wasn't a hard task watching such delightful froth, but others I've seen are soooo frustrating because of the scarcity of English subtitles.

This is a great intro to the delights of Bollywood, and I highly recommend it.

Jab is kind of a take on Sense and Sensibility--a very loose take--but delightfully entertaining at every scene.

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Jadie

I can watch Jab We Met over and over again. It's my go-to feel good film.

Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2014

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Jab We Met is one of my all-time favorite movies. I don't like to keep a lot of material possessions that add up to be a major headache when it comes time to move (like books and movies) but there is a permanent spot on my keeper shelf for this film. Every time I watch it I'm left with such a great feeling. It gives me all the feel-good movie tingles and the love story between Aditya and Geet makes my romantic heart sigh every time.

This review may make this movie seem like a soppy romance, but I promise it's not. That's why I love it so much. There is plenty of adventure (and misadventure) to go around. Every time I watch this movie I get sucked in. Kareena Kapoor absolutely shines in her role as the irrepressible, chatty Geet. Her chemistry with Shahid Kapoor's character, Aditya, is undeniable. I loved watching these two get each other into and out of trouble. The setting in Punjab was so colorful and detailed. This is definitely a family film as well.

The songs and dances in this movie were great. I love them all, but my favorites are definitely Nagada Nagada and Yeh Ishq Hai. However, beware: Mauja Hi Mauja may get stuck in your head for a day or two.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, pick-me-up film or who can't resist a romance. You will love this one :)

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masayoshi Tamura

I can be happy. Thank you, India.

Reviewed in India on August 9, 2015

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I'm a Japanese learning India.

Please accept me that I love India because of the kind of mindset demonstrated in this film.
Positive, energy, care for others, and ... love.

I can be happy as I spend my time as I've learned from you, India.

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ROBERT Denise

Jab we met

Reviewed in France on April 9, 2015

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Très bon film,
seules déceptions sont :
une livraison plus tardive que prévue, et un film malheureusement pas en langue Française.
Cependant, cela reste une très bonne comédie romantique.

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Pages of my mind

AMAZING!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2013

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One of the best Indian films i have ever seen. It is lighthearted and funny yet full of life, meaning and a beautiful romance that gets my heart beating every time i watch it. The two actors have great chemistry and pull off the whole story and emotions throughout brilliantly. Not only that its a happy ending! and most of the way through which you rarely get in Indian films or at least in most of the ones iv seen!

The music...well that's on a level entirely of its own. There are a number of great tracks which you will always remember and get your foot tapping your booty swinging and your voice singing along with a smile. But there are also some beautiful romantic tracks too which have become some of my favorites.

I definitely recommend this one its perfect and spectacular on every level. I found no fault in it!

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seskowi

Gute-Laune-Film voller Leichtigkeit

Reviewed in Germany on April 9, 2008

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Ich habe "Jab We Met (2007)" (wörtlich "Als wir uns trafen") auf Hindi mit englischen Untertiteln gesehen und kann daher zu deutschen Synchronisation nichts sagen. Hier sehen wir endlich eine modern wirkende Bollywood-Komödie ohne den oftmals sehr platten indischen Humor, die im Gegensatz zu "Salaam Namaste" sogar in Indien selbst spielt, und dabei auch Aufnahmen sowohl von realen Straßenszenen mit Bettlern als auch von typischen Landschaften Nordindiens integriert.

Dieser Film hat sehr gute Produktionswerte: Regisseur und Story (Imtiaz Ali), Kamera, Editor, Soundtrack (6 Dance-Songs, die ich mir gerne auch solo anhöre), Choreografien, Schauspieler inklusive Nebendarsteller - alles überzeugt (einzige Ausnahme der steife Tarun Arora, Darsteller von Anshuman, den Geet heimlich heiraten möchte). Kareena Kapoor als vor Lebensfreude überschäumende Quasselstrippe Geet Dhillon gibt, laut indischen Zeitgenossen, ein recht überzeugendes Sikh-Mädchen, die für indische Verhältnisse recht emanzipiert sind. Shahid Kapur, der oft wie eine blasse aber vor allem jüngere Kopie von Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) wirkt, hat sicherlich noch ausbaufähige Schauspielfähigkeiten, ist aber in den Dance-Songs "Nagara Nagara" (moderner Bhangra) und "Mauja Hi Mauja" (flotte Disco-Nummer) als ausgebildeter Tänzer mindestens so überzeugend wie SRK. Dieser Film besticht auch durch das überzeugende Zusammenspiel von Kareena Kapoor und Shahid Kapur.

Während "Om Shanti Om" auf mich so schwer verdaulich wirkt wie eine Buttercreme-Torte (und mich vor allem durch die Veräppelung der Bollywood-Traumfabrik belustigt), denke ich, dass man von "Jab We Met" guten Herzens behaupten kann, dass dieser Film für Leute, die nette Komödien wie "French Kiss" oder "Während Du schliefst" mögen, einen hohen Wiederholungsfaktor aufweist.

Die Story ist ein typisch indisches Bollywood-Märchen darüber, wie zwei reiche, junge, hübsche Menschen nach Überwindung von vielerlei Trennungen zueinander finden. Wer die Bollywood-Symbolik des Wassers kennt, wird das Ende spätestens nach dem Szene am Fluss voraussahnen, doch wird die Geschichte so nett erzählt, dass es mir einfach immer wieder Spass macht zuzusehen. Im Gegensatz zu Molodezhnaja finde ich auch nicht, dass die Geschichte im zweiten Teil abflacht, sondern sie nimmt einen Umweg von der von Kareena Kapoor beherrschten Komödie über längere Strecken von Melodrama (wo Shahid Kapur dann stärker in den Vordergrund tritt) bis das Happy-End im Dance-Song "Mauja Hi Mauja" kulminiert.

Zum Vergleich meiner Bewertung: mir persönlich gefielen " Om Shanti Om - Special Edition (2DVDs) (2007)" und " Chak De! India - Ein unschlagbares Team (2 DVDs) (2007)" trotz Superstar SRK nicht so gut wie "Jab We Met (2007)". Von den beiden Farah Khan Filmen gefiel mir " Main Hoon Na - Ich bin immer für dich da! (Einzel-DVD) (2004)" besser, da mir, im Gegensatz zu Molodezhnaja, "Om Shanti Om" trotz aller Selbstironie einfach zu grobschlächtig und melodramatisch ist (mir gefallen Bollywood-Filme aus den Jahren vor ca. 1995 einfach nicht genug, um Vergnügen an der Zelebrierung ihrer Aura zu empfinden). Der Sportfilm "Chak De India" dagegen ist mir zu märchenhaft und patriotisch, einfach zu unglaubhaft in seinem geradlinigen Siegeszug der indischen Hockey-Frauen aus der Ausgangsposition als kompletter Underdog zum Überflieger, hier fehlen einfach ein paar Spritzer Selbstironie und real wirkende Rückschläge.

Nachtrag zu Shahid Kapur (Juni 2008):
mit jedem Ansehen von "Jab We Met" gefiel mir Shahid Kapurs Arbeit besser. Daher bin ich auf die Suche nach weiteren Spielfilmen mit ihm gegangen. Und siehe da, ein Schauspieler, der mir beim ersten Mal wie eine blasse Kopie von SRK vorkam, entpuppte sich als begnadeter Komödiant. Diese Fähigkeiten kommen jedoch in "Jab We Met" kaum zum Einsatz, da er hier einen verzweifelten Industriellen spielt, dem die Lebensfreude langsam wieder zugänglich gemacht werden muss.

Im Vergleich zum charismatischen SRK hat der charmante 15 Jahre jüngere Shahid noch deutlich Probleme mit der Darstellung von Verzweiflung mit Todessehnsucht (man vergleiche SRK in " Asoka [UK IMPORT ] (2001)" mit Shahid in "Fida" und "Jab We Met") sowie Liebeswahnsinn (man vergleiche SRK in " Darr " und " Dil Se - Von ganzem Herzen (OmU) " mit Shahid in "Fida"), dennoch ist Shahid, trotz der ebenfalls beteiligten Kareena Kapoor, der einzige Grund, warum ich mir den Thriller " Fida - Two Love Stories " öfters ansehe (wobei ich selbst die sehr schlechte Ton-Qualität der Hindi-Spur auf der deutschen DVD ertrage, um Shahids Stimme hören zu können).

In Komödien mit Slapstick-Einlagen dagegen läuft Shahid im Teamwork mit anderen guten Komödianten zur Hochform auf. Die beiden Hindi-Komödien " 36 China Town [UK IMPORT ] (2006)" und " Chup Chup Ke [UK IMPORT ] (2006)" sind neben " Barfuß im Park (1967)" die einzigen Komödien, die mir vor Lachen die Tränen in die Augen treiben. Ich finde ihn darin vergleichbar gut mit Cary Grant in "Arsen und Spitzenhäubchen (1944)", nur dass Shahid Kapur zusätzlich den naiven Charme des jungen Charlie Chaplin aufweist, ansatzweise auch dessen Slapstick-Fähigkeiten. Im Vergleich zu SRK ist nämlich Shahids Körperkontrolle weitaus besser, was vermutlich auf seiner Ausbildung zum Tänzer beruht. Für mich ist Shahid Kapur eindeutig der Nachfolger SRKs, der in den nächsten zehn Jahren die erfolgreichsten Loverboy-Rollen spielen könnte.

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DHARAM C.

Faulty and poor Quality

Reviewed in India on November 8, 2021

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After one year ,it started to misbehave and now it stop mid-way.
Such a poor Quality after paying 10 times than simple CD. Cheated

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