Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Dil Chahtaa Hai’ was a phenomenal story of the trials and tribulations of three friends.  His sister Zoya repeats the magic in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ without compromising on the novelty one bit. The backdrop is the scenic Spain where three friends (Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar) discover inner peace and tranquillity on an unlikely road trip to redemption. A vivacious diving instructor Laila (Katrina Kaif) and some first-rate dare-devil adventure introduce the threesome to the art of living life moment to moment. The incidental illumination also helps them get rid of some of the stickiest, self-imposed diktats of their respective lives that seemed invincible only a while ago - like the ridiculous obsession with financial freedom, the nuisance value of an accidental alliance or the shocking revelation of an inadvertent birth and half-discarded childhood.
 
The film is highly innovative and inspiring despite the absence of a definite storyline. The wit and humour will keep you in splits throughout. Don’t miss the fabulous scene where the three friends muse over the Doordarshan signature tune. Nostalgia couldn’t have been more hilarious! ...even for the audience.  
 
The superb performances of the lead players make the odyssey even more enduring. Hrithik Roshan has truly excelled in the acting department, especially in the tongue-in-cheek enactments. Even in the hallmark frame of his soul-stirring ecstasy after emerging from a contemplative deep sea dive, he steers clear of his erstwhile pet mannerisms (esp. the involuntary shaking of the head) in what’s turned out to be a thoroughly restrained performance. And boy! Doesn’t he look divine - an authentic Spaniard for sure.
 
Abhay Deol is refreshing as the sober, accommodating business family scion Kabir while Farhan is first-rate as the happy-go-lucky copywriter Imraan. Doyen Naseeruddin Shah plays a superb cameo and his emotional warfare with Farhan Akhtar is clearly one of the film’s highpoints. Katrina Kaif works well within her limitations, her natural beauty complementing the demands of her fun-loving, jovial character. Kalki Koechein is brilliant as the innocent, one-dimensional Natasha.
 
One wonders what stopped Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy from recreating the magic of ‘Dil Chahtaa Hai’. The film’s music is clearly below par barring a couple of numbers. One just thought Javed Akthtar’s simple but soulful poetry deserved a much better melodic treatment.  Never mind! This film has a music of its own that will enthral us, just like Spain does with her natural splendour.