This is very different from other Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies that I have seen. Maybe because I didnt see Black. It was more like reading a book than watching a movie. Sakina (Sonam) is in love with Salman and waits for him every night. Raj (Ranbir) sees her once and instantly falls for her. He befriends her and gives her company for next 3-4 nights while she waits for Salman.

Raj (Ranbir Kapoor) performs at a night club. He is always smiling and also brings smiles to his near and dear ones. One night, he sees Sakina (Sonam) just standing on a bridge lost and sad. He tries to strike a conversation but she is evasive. He senses her sadness and tries to talk her out of it. He falls for her in the process. Rest of the movie, he is torn between his love for her and her expectation from Raj to help him find her love (Salman). This is where I think the direction is superb, the movie doesn't move on to become a regular Bollywood flick with Rona dhona. He simply sticks with her and tries to keep her happy during her wait.

Sakina stays with her aunts and gets into a relationsship with Salman when he was a paying guest in their house. Does that remind anyone of HDDCS  . Lesson: don't let Salman stay in your house if you have bahu-betis.  Anyway, Salman leaves with a promise to return after an year. The time is near and hence she is out every night waiting for him. She is shown to be sad at times, but mostly cherubish and lively (esp. in the company of Raj).

Both Ranbir and Sonam were refreshing. Ranbir's love for Sonam and his child like enthusiasm keeps the movie alive.  The characterisation of the movie in general is pretty good. All the characters and being drawn out neatly and they don't deviate from it ( a rarity in Bollywood).

Cinematography. It was beautiful. All in blue and green with sign boards all over the place. No days, only nights. Makes you feel like you are standing in an old city market. More like theater than a movie. A small set with a river, a bridge, curvy roads, bullock cart, a tavern. Like a stage. Heard lot of people complaining about how this is not how it is. But that wasn't the objective. The point was not to keep it close to reality but to weave a dreamland which Bhansali did beautifully. There was one scene in particular, where the top view of the whole set is shown. Totally breathtaking.

My advice, go for it but don't expect an emotional drama. Its just a narration, a short story. 3 days in the life of 2 people.