KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK MOVIE REVIEW


KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK is not your average Bollywood masala flick. This one involves you until the last frame. It's creatively plotted, artfully executed, brilliantly emoted and very well presented. A complete product, which will make the maker proud of his work. That is what every creative person looks for; satisfaction in his work. Debutant director Vijay Lalwani has done just that. Audience appreciation is something that is out of his control. Take a bow Lalwani, for an intelligent film. Of course, it has its genesis in A BEAUTIFUL MIND, the Russell Crowe film that won accolades. But therein ends the similarity. Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) is a loser in life. He does not know how to say no, is low on self-confidence and is a below average dresser. He is constantly being plagued by a dream of him having killed his older brother, albeit accidentally. This is what drives him to a shrink who tries in vain to convince him that it was no fault of his and he should stop blaming himself for his brother's death. But Karthik's psyche has been deeply dented. At the work place, though he is the workhorse, his efforts are never appreciated. A colleague piles his work on him and even the gorgeous Shonali (Deepika Padukone) has never even once noticed him in the four years they have worked together. To top it, he has been fired from his job. But all that seems to be heading for a change as Karthik, on the verge of committing suicide, gets a call from Karthik who guides him to reclaim his life and live with confidence. There's an instant metamorphosis in Karthik's character. He walks in with newfound confidence into his old office, dressed in a smart suit, walks into his boss' cabin and cleverly makes him aware of his contribution. Result, Karthik is offered his old job back. But he is in no mood; he demands a bigger post with staff under him. Then begins the wooing process and he does this with style, too.
Life reclaimed, Karthik's calls continue daily. He is warned by the caller not to mention this to anyone lest they think him to be nuts. But he mentions to Shonali who thinks he should see a shrink and from there on, his life takes a dive down to where it was. "I will finish you," says the voice from the other end, angry that he has let out his little secret. "If I could make you, I will break you." He manages to do just that. Farhan Akhtar is moving from strength to strength as an actor. No words would be enough to describe his rise as an actor of repute. Deepika Padukone, as the most sought after girl who has burnt her finger in many wrong relationships portrays the angst of many such women with aplomb. She is cute (as the role demands), confident and has evolved as an actor. She has worked hard on her body language and this shows in every scene, unlike in films like BACHANA AE HASEENO. Ram Kapoor as the khadoos boss is a powerful performer. Nor frills, just solid performance. Special mention to Vivaan Bhathena too, who fits into his role as the playboy-cum-office bully. KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK is an emotional journey with the principal character. You feel his pain when he is down, celebrate his success when he takes charge of his life and love with him when he romances Shonali. Even when the final card is revealed in the end, you once again feel his pain. It's all in the mind, you see and Farhan brilliantly guides you on to this wonderful journey immensely helped by Vijay Lalwani. This is not candyfloss cinema. It will find its audience in those wanting to get involved.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK MOVIE REVIEW


KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK is not your average Bollywood masala flick. This one involves you until the last frame. It's creatively plotted, artfully executed, brilliantly emoted and very well presented. A complete product, which will make the maker proud of his work. That is what every creative person looks for; satisfaction in his work. Debutant director Vijay Lalwani has done just that. Audience appreciation is something that is out of his control. Take a bow Lalwani, for an intelligent film. Of course, it has its genesis in A BEAUTIFUL MIND, the Russell Crowe film that won accolades. But therein ends the similarity. Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) is a loser in life. He does not know how to say no, is low on self-confidence and is a below average dresser. He is constantly being plagued by a dream of him having killed his older brother, albeit accidentally. This is what drives him to a shrink who tries in vain to convince him that it was no fault of his and he should stop blaming himself for his brother's death. But Karthik's psyche has been deeply dented. At the work place, though he is the workhorse, his efforts are never appreciated. A colleague piles his work on him and even the gorgeous Shonali (Deepika Padukone) has never even once noticed him in the four years they have worked together. To top it, he has been fired from his job. But all that seems to be heading for a change as Karthik, on the verge of committing suicide, gets a call from Karthik who guides him to reclaim his life and live with confidence. There's an instant metamorphosis in Karthik's character. He walks in with newfound confidence into his old office, dressed in a smart suit, walks into his boss' cabin and cleverly makes him aware of his contribution. Result, Karthik is offered his old job back. But he is in no mood; he demands a bigger post with staff under him. Then begins the wooing process and he does this with style, too.

Life reclaimed, Karthik's calls continue daily. He is warned by the caller not to mention this to anyone lest they think him to be nuts. But he mentions to Shonali who thinks he should see a shrink and from there on, his life takes a dive down to where it was. "I will finish you," says the voice from the other end, angry that he has let out his little secret. "If I could make you, I will break you." He manages to do just that. Farhan Akhtar is moving from strength to strength as an actor. No words would be enough to describe his rise as an actor of repute. Deepika Padukone, as the most sought after girl who has burnt her finger in many wrong relationships portrays the angst of many such women with aplomb. She is cute (as the role demands), confident and has evolved as an actor. She has worked hard on her body language and this shows in every scene, unlike in films like BACHANA AE HASEENO. Ram Kapoor as the khadoos boss is a powerful performer. Nor frills, just solid performance. Special mention to Vivaan Bhathena too, who fits into his role as the playboy-cum-office bully. KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK is an emotional journey with the principal character. You feel his pain when he is down, celebrate his success when he takes charge of his life and love with him when he romances Shonali. Even when the final card is revealed in the end, you once again feel his pain. It's all in the mind, you see and Farhan brilliantly guides you on to this wonderful journey immensely helped by Vijay Lalwani. This is not candyfloss cinema. It will find its audience in those wanting to get involved.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

TEEN PATTI MOVIE REVIEW


TEEN PATTI is a cat and mouse game. What begins as a simple exercise to experiment with the theory of probability with real cash in gambling dens, takes a complex and deadly turn with greed taking the upper hand. Director Leena Yadav has scored high on casting with not a character out of place. Even though Mahesh Manjrekar, Tinnu Anand, Jackie Shroff and Shakti Kapoor appear in just two scenes, their characters leave a mark and are an intricate part of the plot. Also, Leena has used the final of the inaugural T-20 World Cup between India and Pakistan to telling effect. As Shakti Kapoor is gambling on the card table, his eyes are constantly on the television set as he monitors Pakistan chasing down India's total. With 5 balls to go and 12 runs to get for Pakistan, he changes his bets and places his money on Pakistan winning. We all know how Misbah-Ul-Haq holed out to Sreesanth at short fine leg. As the catch is pouched, he loses his card game as well! Brilliant. We have seen cricket matches as props within scenes, but this one is just too cool! It's moment like these that keeps you glued to the screen. TEEN PATTI is riveting and extremely well paced. Professor Venkat Subramaniam (Amitabh Bachchan) has cracked a theory that could redefine the laws of probability. He tries it out with a card game with a fellow professor and four students and hits bulls-eye. Professor Shantanu Biswas (R Madhavan) who has loan sharks knocking on his doors to pay off their dues sees this as an opportunity to amass quick money. He lures Venkat to try out his theory in real gambling dens. From here, their life spirals out of control as a blackmailer takes centre stage. Slickly shot, the film moves at a rapid pace keeping you guessing as to who the blackmailer could be. Venkat wants to call off the bluff, but by now, the students and Shantanu are overtaken by greed.

Dhruv Ganesh, Siddharth Kher, Vaibhav Talwar and Shraddha Kapoor who play the students caught in this game of greed are all excellent. Dhruv as Bikram, the student who needs money to fund his education plays his complex part with ease. Siddharth as Sid carries off the Johnny Depp look as well as his character effortlessly. However, it is Shraddha Kapoor, who makes her debut that steals the thunder. Confident and natural, she flits between the characters Aparna and Zeenat as though she is 20 films old. I last saw such brilliance in Farhan Akhtar the actor. Yes, Shakti Kapoor's daughter is a class apart and has announced her arrival with a bang. Amitabh has used his vast experience to let the kids hog the limelight by strategically taking the back seat. The film moves sharply between London and India and this is where Sir Ben Kingsly has been used as Perci Trachtenberg, the magician who Professor Venkat idolized. Screenplay, Dialogues and costume deserve special mention as also the music by Salim- Suleiman. The track Neeyat has been powerfully choreographed. Watch it for its casting, a young set of actors who deliver and a script that captivates. TEEN PATTI; ready for the deal?

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

CLICK MOVIE REVIEW


CLICK lacks substance. It also lacks a credible screenplay and script. It's more like a project put together by students for a college project. To top it, the only actor who plays her part with eerie glee is the lady who plays Sneha Ullal's mother. It's one of those films you would want forget in a jiffy, never mind if there have been a couple of electrifying scary scenes. But a few scenes like these does not a horror film make. And director Sangeeth Sivan should know that. Avi (Shreyas Talpade) is a fashion photographer and one fine day, whenever he photographs, a female shape appears in the prints. This happens only after he and his girlfriend Sonia (Sadaa) are involved in a hit-and-run one night after partying with friends. While Sonia wants to get out of the car and check the accident, Avi does not want to risk a chance. So off they drive to safety and into an ordeal that begins to unfold.
If the ghost wants to trouble Avi, why does she do so only after the accident? Why not before? This is very strange because as the story unfolds you learn that the two (ghost and Avi) have a past. Also, very interesting is a scene where one of Avi's friend commits suicide and at the morgue, there are three bodies. All his friends. But according to the scene shown, only one committed suicide! There are also scenes with Chunkey Pandey and Avatar Gill, which borders on insanity.Scenes like these spell doom for this flick named CLICK.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

MY NAME IS KHAN MOVIE REVIEW


Viewed on the basis of the evaluation of Asperger Syndrome, Karan Johar has hit the nail on the head. He has handled Rizvan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) with maturity. To top it, he has used the intelligence of Rizvan to home in on a very touchy topic and has succeeded. Islam is not about Jihad, it is about love and Rizvan in his own locked-in world unlocks the hate within from those around him. Many with Asperger Syndrome also get violent, but Rizvan freaks when he sees the colour yellow and cannot stand loud noise. Shah Rukh Khan has done a complete study of this syndrome and has delivered a terrific performance from frame one. Kajol, I dare say, is the Queen of Bollywood. All this talk of this heroine being the No.1 or No 2 is just mumbo jumbo when you see this talent explode on screen. Just natural. Pure bliss. We need to see more of you on screen, Kajol.
Karan Johar is known for his tearjerkers and he sticks to his format this time, too. But he also addresses an important issue, one that is tearing the world apart. His handling of scenes is very mature and real. The interaction between young Rizvan with his mother (Zarina Wahab) and his younger brother Zakir is poignant. Zarina's obsessive focus on Rizwan drives Zakir to the wall. The crack is easy to see; his hatred for his brother easy to accept. Rizvan, in one touching moment tells his brother that at least he is able to express his sadness through tears... as for him, it's a frustrating process all bottled within. Wanting to live his mother's dreams to lead a normal life, Rizvan leaves for America to live with his brother and wife. There, he assists his brother in selling his beauty products and meets Mandira (Kajol), already married with a six-year-old son. Their romance, which leads to marriage, is very well captured. She is a Hindu. He a Muslim. She adopts his surname and then 9/11 happens which radically changes the way the world sees Muslims, especially Americans. Tragedy strikes this happy family and Rizvan is on a journey travelling across the US to meet the president to tell him, 'My name is Khan, and I'm not a terrorist.' It is this obsessive or repetitive routine, which is the central theme of the film. He does meet the President and manages to change the views of many along the way. Karan and SRK have done what they had to for the viewers and peace at large; but in the real world, can love actually be given a chance? A beautiful movie with a beautiful message not to forget powerful performances from the jodi that stormed the screens13 years ago with DDLJ. Jimmy Sheirgill is once again proving to be a powerhouse performer. Soniya Jehan and Tannay Cheddha as the young Rizvan are fabulous. Zarina Wahab captivates with her emotions for both her sons. Yuvaan Makaar as Kajol's son is a confident actor. Go watch it. Karan has crafted a beautiful film, while SRK has authored a marketing strategy that will be hard for even Aamir Khan to beat!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

ISHQIYA MOVIE REVIEW


Vidya Balan has drummed up a delectable performance in ISHQIYA. She's the widow whose life has suddenly exploded from its shell; a lover; a woman who misses those 'tender' moments and one who is out to exact revenge. A bundle of contradictions who has a deadly secret up her sleeve. You can't help but fall in love with her character, Krishna Verma, delivered with intense finesse. Arshad Warsi is back in the 'circuit' with his powerhouse performance as Babban. A goon, with lust in his eyes who realizes what it is to be in love when he meets Krishna. He also learns the meaning of betrayal when Krishna trains the gun on him. A performance delivered with the accuracy of a lunatic. Naseeruddin Shah as Khalujaan puts life in the character of a pure romantic caught in the cesspool of crime. His careful romancing of Krishna is a pure delight. He draws you to his plight with his reaction when he learns his nephew, Babban, has already scored with her.
So, who's the one Krishna truly loves. Or does she love at all? She's this mysterious woman around whom the movie is cleverly woven. The movie begins with a bang opening with tender moments between Krishna and her husband who is a terror in his village. Verma is an ace at kidnapping business tycoons in Gorakhpur and demanding ransom. She wants him to surrender. He loves his clan more than he loves his wife. There's a blast in their home and she is widowed. Or is she? Khalujaan and Babban are two thieves working for Mushtaq, a don with a soft heart but a tough exterior. At first instance, you fall in love with these two characters with their quirky traits. They loot their boss and are on the run. They land in Gorakhpur to seek shelter in the house of Verma, their old friend. Instead, they meet his wife Krishna. Here is where the cat and mouse game begins. Khalujaan is fond of Krishna and she even responds, but Babban, has other plans where Krishna is concerned.
So, who's the one Krishna truly loves. Or does she love at all? She's this mysterious woman around whom the movie is cleverly woven. The movie begins with a bang opening with tender moments between Krishna and her husband who is a terror in his village. Verma is an ace at kidnapping business tycoons in Gorakhpur and demanding ransom. She wants him to surrender. He loves his clan more than he loves his wife. There's a blast in their home and she is widowed. Or is she? Khalujaan and Babban are two thieves working for Mushtaq, a don with a soft heart but a tough exterior. At first instance, you fall in love with these two characters with their quirky traits. They loot their boss and are on the run. They land in Gorakhpur to seek shelter in the house of Verma, their old friend. Instead, they meet his wife Krishna. Here is where the cat and mouse game begins. Khalujaan is fond of Krishna and she even responds, but Babban, has other plans where Krishna is concerned.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

VEER MOVIE REVIEW



It takes a brave man to say he'll take the flak if a film fails, and in the same breath mention that it would be to everyone's credit if it succeeds. This is precisely what Salman Khan has gone on record to say about his recent release VEER, the story of which is credited to him as well. It also takes a brave man to dream of a magnum opus such as this. The period, the drama, the grandiose feel of it all and the amount of money pumped in, reportedly Rs 50 Cr.

Set in the 19th century, this period drama is no classic epic, but it has the trappings to keep you glued to your seat. Yes, there are loopholes in the screenplay and script and some silly moments as well, but once you see the brave attempt by the makers you cannot but laud it. Only thing, they could have been more careful about the costumes worn by the lead actors. Difficult yes, but if enough research was done and as much importance given to it as the fight sequences, it could well have been another GADAR. The story told is about Pindaris, a group of tribals, who were true to their word, and who preferred death to betrayal. It's their fight to unite India, to fight the British who ruled then. A very interesting plot thought of by Salman, who plays VEER. The film also has interesting twists even though 'Boy meets girl from enemy camp' remains the central theme. It moves away from the staid formula of parents opposing and lovers uniting against all odds.

Here, Veer wins the heart if his girl in enemy camp and also convinces his tribe to look beyond to the larger picture; that of uniting India in its fight for freedom rather than fighting against one Royal family to exact revenge. The plot has its heart in the right place. Salman Khan as Veer is dashing and dynamic. He takes off from where he left in WANTED and LONDON DREAMS. His raw star power is full on display. Mithun Chakraborty is as solid as ever. Ditto Jackie Shroff. Much has been made of Newcomer Zarine Khan's resemblance to Katrina Kaif. According to me, the girl is a spitting image (healthier version) of Jacqueline Fernandez, who recently debuted in ALADIN.

Someone has rightly said, ''Let the attempt be a failure, but let there be no failure to attempt.'' Like a true Veer, Salman has taken a gamble, it's now left to be seen how the audience reacts to this fight to get the British out of India. Somehow, I get this feeling that the dice is loaded in favour of Veer Salman!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

CHANCE PE DANCE MOVIE REVIEW



You chance upon a crowded dance in a film as the end credit rolls. Here, director Ken Ghosh opens with a dance and also ends with another. Not a bad way to begin a dance film.

CHANCE PE DANCE gives you a funky, Hollywood feel as the two main characters; Shahid Kapur and Genelia D'Souza are introduced. Its breezy flow, a funky and cool Shahid and 'cute chemistry' between the two add to the bliss. However, Ken is not able to maintain the momentum throughout. What must be said to his credit, however, is that he keeps the feel of the film on beat; soft and mushy. Though the end is predictable, it leaves you with a feel-good message... "Never quit, success is round the corner."

KHOYA KHOYA CHAND, LUCK BY CHANCE and now CHANCE PE DANCE have one thing in common - the Bollywood struggle. It's like watching NEW YORK and then viewing KURBAAN. Mercifully, CHANCE PE DANCE has it fundamentals in place and does not make an ass of its script.

Shahid is a struggler from Delhi who has been making the rounds of auditions in Mumbai for over three years, waiting for that one, elusive break that will propel him to stardom. As usual, there are heartaches all along the way. He is signed on for a huge project and before shooting can begin; he realizes that big money has been pumped in by a corporate house, which want to make their hunt on for a star a national debate. The director (Mohnish Behl), who was so impressed by Shahid, can do nothing in front of the money he has seen. However, if Shahid wants to be the star, he can participate, which he refuses.

He bumps into Genelia D'Souza, a choreographer, at a previous audition and both hit it off. While Mohnish Behl has signed Genelia as a choreographer, for the said project, she opts out and then urges Shahid to participate.

Meanwhile, Shahid has been thrown out of his rented apartment because he has failed to pay his rent, while his friend turned out to be a parasite. He ends up living in his second-hand car and lands a job as a dance teacher in a school, where he incidentally, does all his 'morning duties' as well!

Shahid puts in a sincere and honest performance. Genelia, restrains herself, intently keeping her role under Shahid's shadow. A very mature move. This girl is slowly climbing the popularity charts.

For a dance movie though, the dances could have been more bombastic. Honestly, this is just about OK stuff. Nothing stunning or "WOW". All Ghosh had to do was take a Chance on Dance! He doesn't. Remember Flash Dance and Dirty Dancing? They all worked because of the super chemistry between the lead players and stunning dances. There could have been one, if not two between Shahid and Genelia. Their pairing is perfect.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE MOVIE REVIEW



Everything in this movie happens in the first 10 and the last 15 minutes. Like for instance, Abhay (Uday Chopra) who plays a geek is silently in love with Alisha (Priyanka Chopra) the hottest girl in his University. He even saves her from near death and she does not even know who it was that saved her, nor cares to find out. It had to suit the plot, which had to drag.

Seven years later, Abhay is still in love with Alisha. He has also developed a software that will unite all other softwares. He gets an offer from Varun (Dino Morea) who ends up stealing his software from his laptop while at a coffee shop. This same software is now being launched by Pinnacle in Singapore and Varun is the one who has sold it to them. Geek decides to go to Singapore in search of the thief and ends up being nanny to Alisha's six-year-old daughter. It had to suit the plot, which had to drag.

Yes, Alisha is now married and divorced. Of course, she does not know who Abhay is. All Abhay has to do is tell her about the software because, incidentally Alisha, works at Pinnacle. No, he does not and you kick your leg in disgust. It had to suit the plot, which had to drag.

In between, geek plays nanny to Alisha's daughter, who then fixes the two for a date. Varun, too is chasing Alisha, rather desperately. He comes out looking like a psycho in search of a cheap thrill not some sophisticated marketing executive who is out to make a billion bucks. It had to suit the plot, which had to drag.

Finally, yes finally, geek corners Varun. The marketing dude offers him 50,000 dollars to go back to India, Geek promises to expose him, which he does in the end. Yes, Alisha too realizes that it is Geek that had saved her life, thanks to her daughter's school play, which had a KARZ-like song.

If you ask me, this movie actually repackages Uday Chopra and the dude does a decent job. He stays in character and actually manages to get on your nerves. Priyanka's role has no strength. Her character falls flat in many places but Priyanka the actor stays firm. The credit says, Dino Morea's is a special appearance, while on screen he actually has a parallel role.

The movie tries to focus on whether love depends on looks and Abhay manages to prove his point when he takes Alisha out in the open dressed as a geek.

What really went wrong is that the script had no meat. With just a geek as a character and stolen software as a prop, you don't really care after a point because the director gives Abhay enough opportunities to say what he wants. He does not. How you wish the movie was just 25 minutes long.

There are times you even feel that this movie has a ROADSIDE ROMEO hangover. Incidentally, Jugal Hansraj has directed both.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

DULHA MIL GAYA MOVIE REVIEW






Lotus, Jasmine, Jigar, Bozo, Bonsai and Shimmer. These are no names of racehorses. These are names of characters in the film DULHA MIL GAYA. With names like these, you can imagine what the film slotted as romance/comedy will be like. It is sad that we end last year with a bang with 3 IDIOTS and then have to begin with something as idiotic as this. I mean, it is not even a movie. The only time it feels like one is when Shah Rukh Khan makes his guest appearance.

Rest of the time you have to grin and bear it. Imagine at the start of the film you are treated to a dialogue like this. Sushmita Sen (Shimmer) asks Jigar, a DJ who is also a friend, if he wants a lift home. Jigar says, "No fine, I'm thanks." The rest of the dialogues pretty much fit in this mould.

In all her roles so far, Sushmita Sen is Sushmita Sen. You don't see any character on screen. You just see the diva that she is. Mercifully, here she plays a top model. It's her attitude that always comes across, never her acting.

The story goes thus. Shimmer is a much sought after model in the West Indies. She has Lotus her chef and Jasmine her 'girl Friday' always at hand. Not to forget Bozo her pup who is involved in every decision making. Fardeen (Bonsai) is a rich Casanova who will never marry. Shimmer is his best friend. He flies down to Punjab because there is a clause in his father's will which says he should marry Samarpreet (Ishita Sharma) and if he fails to do so or divorces within 10 years the entire property worth billions of dollars will go to some fishing company. So Bonsai flies down to Punjab and marries Samarpreet. Next day he is back in Trinidad, alone. A few months later, Samarpreet is on her way to Trinidad to track her missing husband. She gets thrown out of Bonsai's palatial mansion when there is a party going on, is knocked down by a speeding car, wakes up at Shimmer's home and turns into Samara to woo Bonsai back. Meanwhile SRK is waiting for Shimmer to say yes to him. This is the romance in the story. As for the comedy, it began with the first dialogue!

Ishita made her mark two years ago with LOINS OF PUNJAB and followed it up with DIL DOSTI ETC. This time she gets a bigger canvas to show her talent.
If only the makers had consulted Bozo before making this movie!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

RAAT GAYI BAAT GAYI MOVIE REVIEW



One very drunk night, eight pegs down the throat and next morning, the previous night's shenanigan is a blur. What really happened? Did he really cheat on his wife? This is the dilemma faced by Rahul (Rajat Kapoor) as he wakes up groggy and tries to piece together the party that rocked.

To make matters worse, his wife Mitali (Iravita Harshe), who too was at the party, is distant and upset. 'Men are dogs,' she barks to her friend, which confuses the plot further. So what really happened? Does she know more that what Rahul knows or does Rahul have to find Sonia (Neha Dhupia), the girl he was pursuing at the party to know the truth?

Director Saurabh Shukla ventures on this very hilarious journey as he helps Rahul piece his worst nightmare together. Helping him are his friends Saxena (Dalip Tahil) and Amit (Vinay Pathak). Cleverly woven in flashback with some crisp editing, Shukla manages a decent comic thriller, the end that cannot be told here for fear of spoiling the sting in the tale.

Rajat as the Casanova husband dons another hat and comes up trumps. Iravati Harshe as the confused wife who seems to know the truth is excellent. Dalip and 'Dasvidaniya Pathak' are to the mark while Navnit Nishan as Dalip's loud 'over-the-top' wife is endearing. It is only as the film comes to a close that you see the quality of her character.


Neha Dhupia is slowly but steadily climbing the ladder of success with one solid performance after another. After DE DANA DAN where she played the cool hooker, she has another similar role where she does full justice. Tone, tenor and temperament... just perfect.

The story is simple but the end, when it unravels, will have you believing in love even more.

The night's over, but the memories linger.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

3 IDIOTS MOVIE REVIEW



It has to be the most idiotic start to such a fascinating movie. You wonder where the movie is heading to when an aircraft returns to base after a passenger suffers a heart attack in the feeblest performance ever. But Rajkumar Hirani soon gets his act and cast together to deliver a stunning product. Education is not about success; it's about pursuing excellence and doing what you are passionate about. In the end, success will chase you. This oft-repeated dialogue is beautifully portrayed in the last frame. I have never laughed so hard before leaving a theatre. Hirani actually manages to show success chasing you. Hilarious. Bhaiyya, All is well!

Take a bow Mr Hirani. 3 IDIOTS is a fantastic film, one that every parent, teacher and most importantly students will dig into. Like the jaadu ki jhappi in Munnabhai MBBS, 'All Is Well', will soon be a craze across the nation. Hirani this time looks at the education system. The staid, mechanical ways in which education is imparted where students are like machines. The setting is a prestigious engineering college and at the centre of it all is Aamir Khan, a genius student who likes to see some fun injected in the lectures.

Hirani touches on student suicides; parents pushing students into a field they are not keen on; students silently trying to excel in something they are not passionate about; overzealous students who learn by rote without knowing the meaning of what is going into their head, and also human emotions of how when a friend fails, you feel sad but when the same friend tops in college, jealousy takes hold. All these aspects and more are beautifully woven into the screenplay to sock you right under your chin without sounding preachy. There is a twist too, to spice up things at the interval.

To get to the story, Farhan Qureshi (R Madhavan) Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi) and Rancho (Aamir Khan) are three inseparable buddies. The film starts with Farhan and Raju getting some info on Rancho who has gone missing after their graduation. It's been (5-10) years now. It then moves to flashback. Where did Rancho disappear? Who was he really and what is he up to now? These questions keep you intrigued throughout the movie.

Lyricist Swanand Kirkire needs special mention. His line from the hit song All Is Well: 'Murgi kya jaane ande ka kya hoga, life milegi ya tawe pe fry hoga...' and other songs are quite a revelation. The music by Shantanu Moitra is excellent and dialogues by Hirani and Abhijit Joshi very inspiring. Although Hirani does not take pains to establish the friendship between the three, you overlook that fact because there is lot of meat in the screenplay. The film has been inspired from Chetan Bhagat's novel Five Point Someone.


Now, for the performances. Santa Khan has done it again. Three Christmas hits in a row: TAARE ZAMEEN PAR, GHAJNI and now 3 IDIOTS. It's sad, that like Santa, Aamir comes only once a year. But like excited kids, Aamir has created an air of expectancy for his audience for his next visit. Ho Ho Ho... he is surely going to have Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra jingle all the way to the bank.

To knock off almost 20 years and pass off as a 24-year-old is a herculean task, one, which the diminutive Khan does with aplomb. Watch him to believe it. I mean, you do not see any persona of the Aamir of old in any angle, in any shot, in any dialogue delivery. A complete, brand new Aamir. You look for flaws but find none. Truly, a mark of a genius. The odd way in which he walks with his feet slightly apart is a delight.

Sharman Joshi is excellent too. Madhavan could have taken his role more seriously and tried to fit in as a college student. Kareena, though does not have much of a role makes an impact while Mona Singh who makes her big screen debut does not get enough scope to show her talent. The one who steals the show with Aamir is Omi, the over zealous student who mugs his way to the top. This character is simply hilarious. In fact, it's a serious focus on how most students actually are today.

Boman Irani as the college head for once is not loud and over-the-top. A clever make-up and twist of the tongue is what sets him apart from his other roles, which have become monotonous.

There are many scenes that will grip you and others that will have you laughing silly. Like the last scene and the scene at Teacher's Day when Rancho changes the script.

Go watch it... I'd say please watch it... The duo of Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani now has Santa Khan for company.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

ROCKET SINGH MOVIE REVIEW



Two years after delivering a hit on the hockey fields with CHAK DE INDIA, Shimit Amin returns, this time with business as the field of play. Yet again, he delivers a product with finesse. ROCKET SINGH appeals, endears, and warms the cockles of one's heart.

Ranbir Kapoor is in that phase of his innings right now, where he can do no wrong. He is, in sporting parlance, what you call 'in the Zone'. Anything he does just shines. He has that uncanny knack of 'becoming' the character, body language and all... He is such a joy to watch.

Ranbir is Harpeet Singh Bedi, a youngster who just manages to scrape through his B.Com exams and one who is not interested in CAT. He wants to work as a salesman. He lands a job as a trainee at AYS Computers and within a few days is blasted for being a 'Mahatma in the jungle.' He complains against an employee of a firm who buys bulk orders from AYS because he is asking for his 'Cut'.

AYS boss and their sales manager see red. He is insulted and asked to make just 'cold calls' from his desk. Things take a turn for the worse when he is humiliated further by his boss. This, when all he wanted to do was tell his boss that he was using his office space to start his own company, Rocket Sales Corp.

Slowly he wins the hearts of four of his colleagues including the Sales Manager to buck up his sales order, which by now is on the upswing. Rocket Sales Corp steals the orders right from AYS's noses. They offer round-the-clock service and at a very competitive rate with minimal profit margins. Flustered, his boss offers to buy his company for Rs 60 lakhs. This call is made from within the same office and his boss does not know whom he is speaking with. To cut the long story short, their game is up when the boss makes a call to the MD of Rocket sales and finds that the phone rings in his own office.

Harpreet is forced to sign on a document, which waives off his right as an owner. But, this is not a win for his boss as he soon realizes that none of Rocket Sales' clients are now willing to do business with AYS even though both the companies have merged. And therein lies the business fundas of Rocket Sales Corp.

Shimit takes a neutral view of the business field and lays bare the employee-boss relationship as well as the 'percentage party' where the customer is the scapegoat. In the final analysis, as Harpreet tells his boss, it is not about driving your employees nuts to achieve sales target but by understanding them.

Shazahn Padamsee who makes her debut has the talent to come through. However, she has to work hard on her dialogue delivery and body language. Ditto Gauahar Khan who too makes her debut. Prem Chopra as Ranbir's grandfather finally gets a role of substance, suited to his age and he does a wonderful job. A complete shift from the crass acts he has been made to do of late. The Sales Manager shines through, as well as the guy who assembles computers. Both characters are cleverly crafted.

Dunno if ticket sales for this film will rocket, but I strongly recommend ROCKET SINGH

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments