A little more consistency with the writing, and a re-upping of the fun-meter would have made Jawaani Jaaneman super. As it is, it is fun while it lasts.

Nitin Kakkar’s film does a fine balancing act of keeping it fun and enjoyable while showing heart when needed. However, there is a subplot about housing redevelopment that is unnecessarily shoe-horned in the film. Perhaps the intention is to underline Jazz’s change of heart but it is one of the few things that feels forced in this largely likable drama. Having said that, someone should start a tally of how many times Saif came-of-age on film; we already have one about him coming-of-middle-age.

For a movie that seems to have swallowed a chill pill (along with a magic one), its last-minute turnaround as a cautionary tale for single folk and T-shirt lovers is unexpected and disappointing. Is it not enough that Saif settles down, his wardrobe must too?

The film is highly entertaining in the first half when the narrative is light and breezy. The pace drops in the second half as it meanders towards predictable and slightly preachy parts. Especially, for single men who want to fly solo all their life. But in the end, ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’ comes out a winner with its non-judgmental approach and a contemporary story that showcases complex human relationships with all its quirks, firmly in place.

Watch it for Saif Ali Khan’s performance, it is sure to give all the 90s kids major nostalgia, an actor who ages like fine wine and is capable of playing himself in his biopic someday. Also, watch it for Alaya F and Tabu, there are no two other actors who could have played their roles with such ease. 

The writing isn’t sharp either. It tries to address important issues in the garb of comedy, but the jokes just aren’t funny enough. “Tera dil nahi dildo hai,” “Iss ghar mein main aur mera swag rehte hai” – come on, it takes more to make us laugh.

Apart from these few glitches Jawaani Jaaneman makes for a decent one-time watch. Saif’s fans, it’s a must for you guys though.

The film goes on to reinforce the most hackneyed of cliches about singledom. It wears the garb of a modern, Hollywoodian, set-in-London comedy but lives up to the sentimental “it’s all about loving your family” adage. So the singles have no moral compass and they are selfish and irresponsible in their chase for freedom.