Wake Up Sid is a coming-of-age film for three reasons other than its content: firstly, it marks producer Karan Johar's transistion into a new territory (less glamour, more real); the debut of young director Ayan Mukherjee and most importantly, proves once again the volcanic talent of Ranbir Kapoor.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT: Wake Up Sid is a coming-of-age film for three reasons other than its content: firstly, it marks producer Karan Johar's transistion into a new territory (less glamour, more real); the debut of young director Ayan Mukherjee and most importantly, proves once again the volcanic talent of Ranbir Kapoor.
Aimed mainly at the urban, bubble-gum generation, WUS tells the story of the happy-go-lucky and lazy Sid (Ranbir) who loves living life his way no studies, no responsibilities and no pressures.
Even when his father (Anupam Kher) forces Sid to work with him, he can't take it for more than a week. His only solace is his new friend Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma) who's just arrived in the city.
She's also the one who gives him shelter after he walks out of his house over differences with parents. This is the turning point in Sid's life. 
As he learns to shoulder the burdens of life, it also draws him closer to his responsibilities, his parents and the woman he loves.
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WHAT'S HOT: In any film that caters to the Gen Next and their issues, the tone is of essence. And WUS gets it right. Sid's problems are real; his handling of them is real, as is his approach in overcoming them. Ayan's story has a leisurely feel, and has plenty of sensitive moments.
There are a number of highs in the film scenes laden with innocence and intensity: Sid blaming his best friend for his own failure; his subsequent fight with his parents and breakdown in Aisha's house; the entire Sid-Aisha living-together track; Sid's helplessness when he's not financially supported by his parents and the angst that follows; Sid's meeting with his mother (Supriya Pathak); his emotional reunion with his father; the parting with Aisha and the eventual realisation of love.
Ayan shows remarkable maturity in handling what begins as a fun film and slowly translates into an uplifting story of a boy growing into a man.
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The songs are well interspersed adding to the film's mood (Iktara being the pick of the lot); Mumbai city has been captured beautifully in full glory (don't miss the fleeting shot of the Hanging Gardens). Among the actors, Anupam Kher is simply outstanding he steals almost every scene he's a part of. Supriya Pathak has the motherly charm.
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Konkona Sen Sharma is a delight the entire process of her discovering her love for Sid, keeping her feelings guarded, the frustrations thereafter and the final admission she is first rate. But WUS is totally a Ranbir Kapoor film.
As hopeless Sid, he makes you laugh. As helpless Sid, he makes you feel protective. As focused Sid, he makes you want to believe in him. And as romantic Sid, he makes you fall in love again. Ranbir makes Sid come alive. Watch him in the scene where he wears Koko's kurta and his reactions in the mirror as he understands his feelings for her.
WHAT'S NOT: If only the loose ends in the script were corrected, WUS would've been the film it deserved to be. Ayan needed to add some surprise elements in his script after one point, you know what the next scene is going to be like.
Also, we're waiting for Sid to reform and become a good boy but Ayan takes far too long to make that happen. The Sid-Aisha love story has its moments but the chemistry between them is not established. Except their introductory where she tells him, "I'm not going to sleep with you."
Certain characters aren't explained and neither developed Kashmera Shah as the sultry neighbour; the trainee girl who likes Sid and Aisha's boss for instance there is something amiss in each of them. The by-now 'special appearance' specialist Rahul Khanna continues his awkward act with his expressions.
WHAT TO DO: Don't miss it for its special moments and the brilliance of Ranbir Kapoor. He makes you want to be a Sid and go back to college.
Wake Up Sid
U; Comedy/drama
Dir: Ayan Mukherjee
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher, Supriya Pathak
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