The YouTube thumbnail for Dharma Productions’ “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” teaser looks like it’s the poster for Ranveer Singh’s 2013 film “Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela”. Except that there’s Alia Bhatt with him, instead of Deepika Padukone. And once you play the teaser for the Karan Johar venture, all you get is a montage of rehashed scenes from a bunch of older Bollywood titles (a lot of them Dharma Productions). In several instances, lead actors Ranveer and Alia seem to be parodying Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
The teaser is filled with scenes that bring to mind movies like “Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham,” “Dilwale,” “Devdas,” “Om Shanti Om,” “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” “I Hate Luv Storys,” and others. Yash Chopra’s signature style is evident throughout, with vibrant and opulent sets as well as lavish locations. There is the obligatory romantic number set in the snow, where the heroine wears a delicate saree with a sleeveless blouse while the hero stays warm in a bomber jacket. Even the background music in the teaser was a re-hashed track.
The teaser appeared exceedingly dull, and unless it is intended to be a lighthearted parody film in which Karan Johar playfully mocks his own style of movies, there seems to be little hope for “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” to be entertaining.
