Viagem de Lua de Mel

Six honeymoon couples on a bus trip to Goa - that lays the table wide open. Director Reema Kagti could have served whatever she wanted. A comedy about fumbling into martial bliss, a drama about discovering the challenges of being married, a social comment about how society and upbringing makes people view the institution of marriage differently. What she opts for is a multi-course meal with flavors of each. The result, an okay film that I'd suggest be better watched on a DVD at home instead of paying for a movie ticket.

There is all the variety you want. There is the married-against-wishes couple (Ranvir-Diya), married-and-at-peace couple (Abhay-Minnisha), married-and-u-have-changed-now couple (Kay Kay-Raima), married-and-i'm-confused couple (Newbie-Amisha), married-to-the-wrong-sex couple (Chatwal-Sandhya) and married-and-married couple (Boman-Shabana).

When you are telling a story about ordinary people and ordinary lives, you have a difficult task at hand. It is because you are telling the story of the very people sitting on the chairs of the movie hall and looking at the screen. You cannot lie to them or tell a story otherwise because it is their story. They know the beginning and they know the end. You have to be exact or you'll fail. If Kagti's story reminds anyone of their honeymoon and brings back forgotten memories, I guess whatever I say about this movie won't matter to them. That is the charm of telling simple stories. However, personally, I doubt this movie will remind anybody of anything.

The outstanding salsa by Abhay and Minnisha is the only take-home from the movie. 'Vaari-vaari' number is sure to be heard on the dance floors for a coming few months. Kay Kay has displayed his versatility and I'm sure we are going to see more of him in comedies. Amisha needs to learn that she need not keep smiling all the time, even while saying her lines. Boman, Shabana - these are minor challenges for them and they easy overcome. Raima Sen - I think she gets more screen time than any of the other female protagonists and she does full justice. Other actors get to do their bit and are okay.

This was a truly heartwarming movie! I particularly loved the portrayal of the "Superman couple." It really highlighted how the idea of a perfect couple might only be achievable for super-beings. For ordinary couples, life inevitably brings a mix of good and bad, and it's all about making adjustments and compromises to make the relationship work.

I also have strong feelings about Ranveer Shorey's character. Guys like him are indeed real trouble. Despite knowing his wife wasn't happy and loved someone else, he still agreed to marry her. Characters like him truly complicate life for everyone involved.

I was very excited about watching Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. until the reviews came out and made it sound like another mediocre Bollywood movie. Well, let me tell you my friends, the movie is anything but mediocre! In fact its one of most endearing movies I have seen in a while. All through the film I had a big smile on my face with many laugh-out-loud moments. Which may have been caused by Boman Irani's accent and twinkle in his eye, Kay Kay's (award winning) Bengali prudeness followed by the 'Sajnaji Vari Vari' jig or the oh-so-perfectly-synchronized couple with the big secret etc. The movie has its dramatic moments also that are compelling - no melodrama and no under-playing either, resulting in just the right impact.

Every story holds your interest (admittedly some more than others) and the characters are as flesh and blood as they can get. The casting is perfect resulting in believable performances. I watched the movie a second time and noticed the little things that I had missed the first time, which lead the viewer to the surprise elements. Reema Kagti's attention to detail made my respect for her direction, one notch higher. Not to forget the thumbprint of the hugely talented Farhan Akhtar.

'Honeymoon Travels' is not flawless but the flaws are few and far between and can be forgiven. Its a movie that made me believe that you don't have to have big budgets, big stars, gloss and pretentious movie makers to entertain. The most important thing is that the movie should have a soul. Great job team of Honeymoon Travels! We want more!!

'Honeymoon Travels Private Ltd' is about 6 newly wed couples who come together during their honeymoon: There is a Bengali couple that comprises of a conservative husband (Kay Kay) and a ready to get wild wife (Raima). There is an envious seemingly perfect couple (Abhay – Minissha), college sweethearts (Amisha – Karan), an imperfect Gujarati couple Hitesh (Ranvir) and Shilpa (Dia Mirza) forms, a foreigner Richie (Vikram Chatwal) married to a hyperactive Bombay girl (Sandhya Mridul) and an older couple (Boman Irani – Shabana Azmi). The rest of the plot consists of their story together during this traveling period, their self discovery and their true feelings for one another.

Kay Kay is excellent as the slightly shy and conservative husband. His dance in 'Sajnaji Vari Vari' is awesome and remains to be one of the most memorable scenes of the movie. He does pleasantly surprise with his comedic talents (since he's more known for his serious movies). Raima Sen is brilliant and she shows us a sexy side. Shabana Azmi never lets you down and after a long time, Boman Irani finally gives a decent performance (he's not loud nor annoying this time). Abhay Deol and Minisha Lamba share a nice chemistry, though they tend to be a little over the top. Amisha Patel succeeds in annoying and Karan Khanna hardly does anything. Ranvir Shorey makes impresses with a brief role while Dia Mirza doesn't. Sandhya Mridul is charming and wonderful while Vikram Chatwal is wooden.

Kagti's direction is decent and she tells the story well. However, there's something missing in the ending. It seems incomplete. One may wonder why such a finale was chosen.

All in all, this is a light hearted comedy and it does provide some laughs along with a few serious moments. Well, serious enough to keep you engaged, not to break down in tears. The 6 stories are nicely combined and the actors share a very comfortable chemistry. Something to enjoy with friends.

This movie came out when I was in school. I watched the movie but didn't recall anything except sajna ji vari vari and pyar ki ye kahani suno. I wanted to watch something lighthearted and hence decided to rewatch it and i am sure I enjoyed it this time even more. I think it's a very good feel-good movie. Anyone who is not in the mood to watch serious stuffs can give this a try.