What's Your Raashee?

What's Your Raashee? is a 2009 Bollywood romantic comedy-drama that weaves its narrative around astrology, specifically the zodiac signs, hence the title which translates to "What's Your Zodiac Sign?" Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, known for his work on acclaimed films such as Lagaan and Swades, the movie has an interesting premise that focuses on the matrimony-marathon of the film's protagonist, portrayed by Harman Baweja, as he sets out to meet one girl from each Zodiac sign in the hopes of finding his perfect match.

The movie is based on a Gujarati novel, "Kimball Ravenswood," by the famous playwright and story writer Madhu Rye, and captures the cultural nuances and sentiments that are typical to Indian society's approach to marriage and the importance it places on astrological compatibility. The film stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas in an extraordinary role adroitly handling 12 distinct characters, each representing a different zodiac sign with unique personality traits, mannerisms, and background, making it one of her more challenging and diverse role(s) till that date.

The plot centers on Yogesh Patel, played by Harman Baweja, who is an amiable and young NRI businessman. The character is thrust into an urgent quest to find a suitable wife within a restricted timeframe to fulfill a requirement to inherit the family fortune. Under the conditions laid out in his grandfather's will, Yogesh must find a bride within a month, or he risks losing the inheritance which could be used to solve his family's financial woes.

Desperate to fulfill his grandfather's wishes and to save his family from their financial difficulties, Yogesh decides to take an unconventional route. He engages in a series of rendezvous with 12 prospective brides, each one meant to embody the traits of one zodiac sign. This decision leads Yogesh on a whirlwind tour of dates, interviews, and interactions with the women, which are meant to help him decide which one would be his ideal life partner.

As Yogesh meets the potential brides, each encounter unfolds with varying degrees of comedy, romance, and insight into human nature. Priyanka Chopra, playing the role of all 12 brides, exhibits her impressive range as an actress, making each character distinct and believable. This tour-de-force performance acts as the backbone of the film and helps in moving the plot along, making the viewing experience a spectacle of character diversity.

The potential brides range from Anjali, the impressionable and empathetic Aries, to the considerate and sensitive Piscean, to the pragmatic and methodical Capricorn. Each woman presents a new world and set of experiences to Yogesh, and as he engages with them, not only is the concept of love and marriage explored, but also the many societal and individual expectations attached to the institution of marriage in India.

Situational comedy arises from the absurdity of the speed at which these meetings are arranged and the lengths to which Yogesh goes to accommodate each woman's schedule, quirks, and preferences. The task is as logistical as it is emotional, and the film often touches on the inherent conflict between love and practical considerations like compatibility, financial status, and family expectations.

What's Your Raashee? is also a musical, featuring a soundtrack that complements its narrative with songs crafted to reflect each zodiac sign's essence. The film's musical side is often cheery and colorful, featuring dance sequences typical of Bollywood productions. These help in accentuating the different flavors the various zodiac signs bring to the table.

In adhering to the genre of romantic comedy, the film uses humor to highlight the plight of the protagonist but does not shy away from commenting on the gravity of the decision that he must make. It deals with themes like destiny versus deliberation, societal versus individual expectations, and most importantly, the essence of what makes a perfect life partner.

As Yogesh encounters each of the potential brides, the movie delves into what it means to truly connect with someone. It challenges the idea of a 'perfect match' and whether such a thing can genuinely be determined by astrological signs. Ultimately What's Your Raashee? asks whether the stars can indeed guide us to love, or whether love is a more complex and unpredictable force than can be charted by the cosmos.

This light-hearted and family-friendly movie, despite its rom-com routine and astrological play, tends to offer some food for thought amid the entertainment. With its unique and ambitious premise, What’s Your Raashee? becomes a movie that combines the escapist fun of Bollywood with an intriguing approach to a universally relatable quest - the search for true love.