A good idea that came with a fair bit of apprehension and ultimately didn't quite translate into what would have been originally envisioned - That's exactly how 'Teri Meri Kahaani' could be summed up in one line.
A story, which made you look forward to what would happen next and raises good expectations after a euphoric interval point, it just goes downhill in the second half while arriving at a culmination that just doesn't manage to emotionally connect.
In fact it takes 10-15 minutes to adapt to the kind of setting that Kunal creates because one would have expected the story to move from 1910 to 1960 and then 2012. However he starts with 1960, moves to 2012 and then goes back to 1910.
Though there doesn't seem to be any story requirement to pick this non-linear approach, perhaps the decision was taken since the makers felt 1910 episode was meatiest.
Surprisingly though, and contrary to popular belief, that isn't quite the case. In fact this is one story which has its high and lows when compared to the 60s story where the drifting apart of Shahid-Priyanka over a misunderstanding with Prachi Desai is just not convincing. Agreed that this is projected as an era where people were perhaps not as vocal about their emotions.
However given the strong characters that each of them is playing, it is rather surprising to see a silent pause resulting in a a high voltage dramatic moment.
This brings one to the 1910 episode which is actually the weakest of the enterprise and is primarily responsible for 'Teri Meri Kahaani' failing to keep the interest alive in its second half.
Sher-o-shaayari by Shahid is all fine but after a while it all appears as overdone. Also, the romantic moments do not work either with the song (Humse Pyaar Karle Tu) set in a barrack being totally misplaced. Not just is the episode overdrawn, it also has a sudden twist in its climactic moment (a la Lara Dutta in 'Andaaz') which hardly brings an emotional high.
At best, you do get a smile or two on your face (there are quite a few in the first half) which is a major reason why you don't quite turn away from 'Teri Meri Kahaani' in entirety.
One can sense that Kunal wanted his two hours to be filled with light hearted moments and though as a film it isn't all packaged in the right format, in bits and pieces they do appeal, especially the Chaplin treatment in the 60s episode. From performance perspective too, Shahid and Priyanka are good but that's about it, something that is least expected from them since they have been around for a decade each.
However, and as stated above, it is the sum total of the affairs that doesn't make you go wow. Now if only there were more heart tugging moments and a sense of connect with the characters, one would have been far more euphoric about the end results.
In case of 'Teri Meri Kahaani', the three couples do meet but you do end up wondering what indeed was the starting point of this 'soul-mates' saga. Yes, the intent was right but the execution not quite perfect.
Rating: **1/2
Comments