When Emily Dickinson wrote “The heart wants what it wants,” it hit home for many of us. As Dickinson said, human desires and obsessions often exceed reason and reasoning. JioCinema’s latest original, Jo Tera Hai Wo Mera Hai, is also based on the same concept. The film tells the story of a man named Mitesh (played by Amit Seal) who has been obsessed with Utsav, a gorgeous bungalow in Mumbai for years. Like a teenager in love, he kept browsing photos of the villa on his mobile phone, fantasizing about it, and didn’t mind blocking traffic just to have the opportunity to appreciate the full view of the villa.
The only obstacle standing in the way of his childhood dream home is Govinda (Paresh Rawal), Utsav’s perpetually grumpy owner, who shoos away unwanted visitors and lives in the villa with his domestic help. He was well aware of the place’s appeal and couldn’t bear the thought of agents hanging around him, waiting for his approval to sell the place. A sign outside his villa read “Trespassers will be killed.” Always wearing a khadi kurta and with muddy hair, Govinda is a tough nut to crack.
However, when Mitesh’s obsession takes over, he decides to intrude into Govinda’s tense life. The idea is to follow the old man, strategically build a relationship with him, win his trust, and eventually convince or trick (whichever is more appropriate for the moment) him into abandoning the villa.
What follows is a series of comical attempts to accomplish this daunting task. Mitesh is ready to do whatever it takes to get to the villa, even if it means dealing with dangerous criminals or missing his child’s birthday party for the sake of it. For a man with a long history of lies, gambling and deception, this was no temporary moral shift for him.
Sear’s portrayal of Mitesh is impressive and keeps the mood of the film light. From his expressions and body language to his comedic timing, Seale excels in the role. He even manages to bring a glimmer of innocence to Mitesh, who is otherwise a flawed archetype.
However, Paresh Rawal stole the show for me. The veteran actor once again delivers a stellar performance that adds to his diverse portfolio of characters. His characters’ tempers, insecurities and idiosyncrasies resonate on screen. In one scene, he becomes suspicious of Mitesh’s intentions, but chooses to ignore it since he has his undivided attention years later.
Unfortunately, however, the script leaves very little room for LaVar and Seale to flourish. While the actors make the most of what they’re given, the film falls far short of their full potential. I hope the film explores Govinda’s loneliness and touches on his memories with his late son, who is often mentioned in the film.
Jo Tera Hai Wo Mera Hai essentially attempts to show the prevalence of greed across age, class or gender. Despite its farcical approach, it manages to demonstrate that greed often leads to a man digging his own grave. Almost every character in the movie is greedy for something. For some it’s money and assets, for others it’s desires and companionship.
While Jo Tera Hai Woh Mera Hai makes an honest attempt to show the depth of greed, its tone is too simplistic and obscures the harsher realities of the world. The film wouldn’t feel like an amoral moralistic story about greed if it didn’t sugarcoat this image and try to be satirical.
When you are looking for something light and simple, Raj Trivedi’s movies can be a good choice. Its moral lessons may be suitable for younger viewers, but if you’re looking for something with more emotional depth or even just a good laugh, we recommend skipping this one.
Rating: 6/10
