Rajkumar Santoshi has changed paths. Acknowledged for forceful, hard-hitting movies [with the sole omission of ANDAZ APNA APNA], Santoshi now endeavor a rom-com in AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI, his new effort. That's something we all know by now, right?

But not many of us know that Santoshi is similarly at home handling a comedy. And AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI confirms it. 

If you're attempting a rom-com, you require getting a few things right... One, the romance should be extrovert. Ditto for the chemistry between the on-screen pair. Two, the film should make you giggle. As easy as that! 

In AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI, the romantic moments are appealing. Most prominently, the on-screen chemistry is thrilling. Ranbir and Katrina look great together! 

I've often said that comedy is stern business and the audience has moved over from banana peel humour in movies. The comedy in AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI - though it borders on silliness - is funny in most parts. Sure, there're times when you feel that the humour looks obligatory [climax fight particularly], but you don't complaint it since Santoshi's intentions are crystal clear from Scene 1 onwards: Entertainment ke liye kuch bhi karega. 

One more factor that goes in its favour is Pritam's music, who belts out a couple of lilting tracks. 

On the flip side, the film could've done with a clean plotline. When you talk of 'Ghazab Kahani', it has to beghazab by all means. It shouldn't fall prey to expectedness, but the second hour succumbs to weakness rarely.

Yet, in spite of the blemishes, AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI is a full-on entertainer. One thing is for sure, you'd fall in Prem with Prem and his behavior. An ideal date movie that should connect with the youth. 

Prem's [Ranbir Kapoor] fundas in life were very easy - be happy, make others happy. A case of incorrect character leads Prem to almost kidnap Jenny [Katrina Kaif], who was brought up by indifferent and uncaring foster parents. 

Prem falls in love with Jenny, but realizes slowly that Jenny is in love with someone else [Upen Patel], the son of a cunning politician [Govind Namdeo]. Prem decides to give up his love and get the lovers married. 

In the first sequence, Santoshi makes it loud and clear that AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI is very unlike his preceding ventures; this one harbours on specious situations. Right from the time Ranbir sets his eyes on Katrina [the yellow outfit episode], the film is a roller coaster ride. 

A few sequences entertain you comprehensively. Sample these: Katrina slaps Ranbir when he stammers as well. She feels he's imitating her; Ranbir's sequence in the church; Salman Khan's cameo; the love-hate relationship that Ranbir and his father [Darshan Jariwala] share; the sequence at the party; the gap point when Ranbir falls on the ground accurately... the first hour of the film simply rocks! 

But the second hour makes you a little cranky. The third angle of the triangle [Upen Patel] isn't persuasive, while his father's [Govind Namdeo] track is beaten to death. Even the villain [Zakir Hussain] is a sore point. 

Watching the second hour makes you feel that the film may've had a longer running time and in order to bring down the length, a number of scenes must've been chopped off, which, in turn, must've resulted in stability slide. For instance, Katrina's kidnap by the villains looks too unexpected. When and how did it occur? 

Yet, there're two sequences in this hour which are amazing and which should bring the house down. One, when Ranbir wears Katrina's top to hide her attendance in the house and the climax fight, when Katrina wrongly bangs Ranbir a couple of times. 

Directorially, Santoshi proves the naysayers wrong and bounces back with a film that the youth would narrate to. You can't write off the maker and AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI proves it. Pritam's music has 'Hit' written all over it. S. Thiru's cinematography is supreme. 

Ranbir Kapoor is the next big thing and AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI proves it yet again. He's fascinating, emotes especially well and entertains your funny bone without making faces. It's a fantastic performance all the way. Katrina Kaif continues to surprise. She surprised you in NEW YORK. She surprises you again in this film. She scores in both emotional and light scenes. Also, Ranbir and Katrina make a wonderful on-screen couple. 

Darshan Jariwala is outstanding. Smita Jaykar is very good. Upen Patel is polite. Govind Namdeo is getting typecast. Zakir Hussain is fair. Navneet Nishan is alright. 

On the whole, AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI entertains majorly. At the box-office, the unbelievable pre-release battle coupled with the wonderful chemistry between Ranbir and Katrina, brilliant music by Pritam and marvelous appeal for youth should guarantee a big start for the film at the ticket window. The business prospects seem excellent, thus ensuring handsome returns for its investors.