A film with gigantic expectations and a highly popular soundtrack opens with the young college going crowd hitting the multiplexes in great numbers. And as the movie starts, they are all set to have a good time, seeing their favorite stars romancing on the screen with a fresh approach. As a welcome change, the freshness is there, the direction is mature and the treatment is novel. But the movie entertains in parts and ends up with a routine kind of drama towards its climax, leaving a mixed kind of impact on the viewer.

The first hour of the movie moves at a jet speed, with the lead pair, Saif & Deepika, falling in love and thinking about their affair in pure practical terms. Imitaz Ali scores the maximum in this brilliantly directed part where he sincerely tries to explain the complexities felt by the young couples from the current generation. The problem of choice between career and love is portrayed beautifully with some well written dialogues and impressive scenes in the first half. And with the entry of Rishi Kapoor, playing the old lovable Sikh character, we are taken back into another love story happening in 1965, with two completely different characters on the screen.

This promising start makes you feel better and you start expecting a lot more coming in the later reels. But gradually as both the lover stories progress, the movie starts moving towards the same old romantic formula where the hero realizes his mistake towards the end and then decides to get back his lady love at any cost. The second half, though has its own cinematic moments, but still fails to make a better impact than the first hour. Like, the transformation of Saif from an ambitious engineer to a desperate lover is brilliantly captured in a single song. But I feel, Imtiaz should have thought of another unique and novel climax rather than moving into the same old arena as in "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na", "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" or "Woh Saat Din".

Performance wise both Saif & Deepika excel themselves giving their career best acts. Saif especially looks more convincing in the second half both in the role of a passionate Sikh lover and a desperate modern man tired of his ambitions. In the first half he is the same old Saif like in "Hum-Tum". Deepika shows more glimpses of her hidden acting talent but still looks like holding herself in the freaking out scenes (like the drunken act). Rishi Kapoor is impressively super cool getting less attention towards the climax. Rahul Khanna has nothing much to do in his few scenes. Neetu Kapoor making a guest appearance in the last minute is a treat for the eyes. The unknown actress playing the young girl from the 1965 era, leaves a calm impact with her simple yet beautiful looks.

The soundtrack is already a huge Hit with foot tapping numbers and well sung songs coming once again from the Hit machine, Pritam. "Twist" is the best of the lot and "Kade Tan Has Bol Ve" is arranged well in an interesting style. This Punjabi song is originally sung by Shaukat Ali from Pakistan. The songs have been both shot & choreographed energetically. Cinematography and Art Direction is impressive as it captures both the eras of 1965 and 2009 with a creative touch. Editing is fast and crisp merging both the love stories innovatively.

The 1960s part of the movie is finely executed with wisely chosen locations, valid props and relevant costumes. But the Sikh characters are a little overdone in certain sequences, which should have been avoided. Saif himself playing the young Rishi Kapoor also might confuse certain viewers. The "Break-up Party" scenes are good but the movie is less appealing to the smaller centers with urban humor incorporated in large dosages. On the whole, "Love Aaj Kal", is fresh in treatment and high on music. It makes you smile in the first half and manages to entertain in parts. But the second half and climax takes you onto the same old journey based on the Hit Bollywood formula. In short, Imitaz & Saif come up with a somehow polished product, with an exception of a routine ending seen many times before.