As soon as Luck by Chance begins, what greets us coldly is a promise that the film is going to be nothing short of discomfort, realism and the ugly reality of ‘Bollywood’ and whatever undergoes the process of becoming an actor and managing to keep your life going. A life that doesn’t ask you to financially lean on to someone else, but in return asks for many sacrifices of your personality and self-respect. But does it keep this promise of delving deeper into the truth? To an extent, yes. Theoretically, it covers all gray areas of being associated with the industry or wanting to be. But in terms of treatment, in essence Luck By Chance is a very commercial representation of an already commercially-driven field. To someone who is already scared of how discomforting it will get, it could be a pleasant surprise, but this comfort does leave out many realities and aspects of this industry.
Set in Bombay, Luck By Chance tells the story of what goes into making a film and comments on the financial aspects of filmmaking and how is it ruining films as well as the fraternity. Vikram (Farhan Akhtar), a struggling actor from Delhi is in the centre of all this drama and his journey encompasses this story. Now, there a number of things to be noted here; Vikram is never portrayed as a flawless person. His actions might be the result of what the industry demands and defines as a success story, but the choices are completely his. As opposed to the stereotypical assumption that female actors have it easy in films through unfair means, Luck By Chance has a male character fitting this description, who is greedy and opportunistic more than anything else.
The film is also a commentary on how living a respectable life might not come with fame and controversies and how that is better, but often gets compromised. With the film industry as the backdrop, it says so much about sexism among male and female actors, commercialization of films and how it affects content, and so much more. What might seem tricky is a product of nepotism himself play a struggling actor and comment on how star kids find an easy way into films. Another way to look at it, would be people recognizing their privilege and trying to make good use of it. But alas, Luck By Chance remains a star studded film, with guest appearances more than the crores spent on it.
After looking past all the glamour, songs and storylines poured into it, Konkona Sen Sharma as Sona Mishra is the only one that remains in my memory, someone I cannot forget for a few days. I’m always bewildered by her versatility and range in acting. So many actors must look at her and dream big, because she seems like a familiar face who only hones her immense acting talent to make a living, and that is so inspiring!
Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music and Javed Akhtar’s lyrics will always be a match made in heaven for me. Sapnon Se Bhare Naina is so dreamy and scary at the same time, and Farhan’s effortless portrayal makes it even more tragic in the face of all the hopes and dreams budding actors have.
The F Word 