With eager and excitement I went to view Karan Johar's next production, I HATE LUV STORY's that opened in USA two days before in India and I was elated to be one among the few to watch it first in the world. So, does this Sonam Kapoor - Imraan Khan starrer lives up to its expectations? Well, partly yes and partly no. This Punit Malhotra directed young candyfloss venture tries hard to be different but resorts to cliche proceedings in the post interval portions. The first half starts on a very fresh note and it appeals to you what director conveys through mockery of Bollywood love stories. Once the camera shifts to second half, it follows a mundane plot with how Imraan realizes his love for Sonam. At a point, it looks like a mixture of various other rom-coms such as Hum Tum, Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Naa, etc. It could have been a cult rom-com movie provided the execution could have been better. Music by Vishal Shekhar, Sonam Kapoor and Imraan Khan are the highlights of the movie that on the whole makes for a decent one time fare.
Bachna Ae Haseeno marks the arrival of Ranbir Kapoor in a glam avtaar where he is cast opposite the three young ladies – Minisha Lamba, Bipasha Basu and Deepika Padukone. It is the Yash Raj tag associated with the movie that prompted me to catch the paid preview of the film on Thursday night. However, due to traffic problem in Delhi I could not somehow make it for the premiere show. In a desperation to see this Yashraj flick I satisfied myself by watching the movie yesterday evening itself. Now, lets come to the analysis of the movie.
This movie is special for various reasons. First, the movie is expected to give Ranbir a hit which his first film failed to deliver. Secondly, the movie brings together Ranbir-Deepika for the first time after they declared their romance as public. Thirdly, it has the backing of the premier production house (Yash Raj Films) that desperately is in a search of a hit to revive its status (though their last venture “Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic” flopped despite being a good movie). Lastly but not the least, it has been directed by Siddarth Raj Anand of “ Salaam Namaste” and “Tara Rum Pum” fame whose films always have certain amount of freshness in the treatment of the subject.
The movie speaks about the story of Ranbir Kapoor aka Raj who is a big flirt and meets three different girls during his journey from 18 years to 30 years of age. The first two girls love him and want to marry him but he dumps them. The third girl whom he intends to marry though loves him but shows him the door when he proposes to her. So, he now decides to return to the first two girls to apologise to them for his misgivings. In a nutshell, how the three different ladyloves teach him a little about love and life in their own ways is what the story all about.
Bachna Ae Haseeno starts on a fresh note. The movie boasts of some sweet and interesting moments.The director handles the romantic and emotional scenes quite well. Of all the three love stories, the story with Minisha Lamba is the best. The story with Bipasha Basu appeals in the first half but post-interval the path she takes to teach Ranbir a lesson seems weird. The third story with Deepika Padukone fails to impress much. In all, Bachna Ae Haseeno is strictly a one-time watch only. Now, lets move on to the performances and other aspects of the movie.
The movie truly belongs to Ranbir who carries the entire film on his shoulders with an extreme ease. Ranbir is definitely an actor to watch out for -be it for his performance, his shaking moves or his looks. He is simply marvelous. The movie proves that he can do wonders in conventional hero roles too. Minisha Lamba looks cute and sweet. The role suits her image well. Bipasha Basu handles her part quite well and there is no denying the fact that she looks hot and sizzling. As far as Deepika is concerned, her role is not etched out too well. Though she looks beautiful in some sequences but one asks for some more footage in her role. Kunal Kapoor in a special appearance looks handsome in the get-up of a Sardar and delivers an efficient performance. Hiten Paintal as Ranbir’s friend shows talent.
The director Siddarth Raj Anand treats the subject in a fresh manner and is able to extract fine performances from his actors. The cinematography is first-rate. The visuals are quite captivating. Vishal-Shekhar’s music is good. Of the songs, the Title track, Khuda Jaane and Lucky Boy have been shot quite well. The choreography of the Title song is eye-catching. On the whole, Bachna Ae Haseeno is a light entertainer that deserves a one time watch. Go and watch out for Ranbir!
JAANE TU YAA JAANE NAA... - a complete entertainer !
What to expect from a movie starring fresh faces and having the tag of Aamir Khan Productions associated with it? Obviously, a brilliant entertainer that must make the crowds, especially the youth throng to the cinema hall. At least I had such hopes before seeing the movie. The movie truly lives up to such expectations and even far above them. It strongly deserves a watch - not one but several times. The movie is in all a full light and youthful entertainer.
The movie tells a simple story of a group of friends and a couple in love but does not admit it. Though such a tale has been witnessed umpteenth times in the Indian Cinema but it is the fresh and novel treatment and execution of the plot that makes it stand apart. The movie has a youthful theme that makes you retrograde to the college days. The movie is shot in a realistic manner and the audience is able to connect with each and every character. The bonding among the friends is well shown. It is difficult to mention a single scene that works as the movie mesmerises you in its entirety. The climax though may seem Bollywoodish but it still brings smile on your face due to the distinct way it has been shot.
The debutante director Abbas Tyrewala has shot the movie quite well. He has the markings of a fine story-teller. Each and every character in the movie is worth mentioning. Imraan Khan is sure going to win accolades for a truly efficient and charming first time performance. Genelia D'Souza is lovable and suits her role perfectly. She sparkles the screen with her spontaneous expressions and the boys are surely going to fell in love with her. Prateek Babber (Son of Raj-Babbar and Smita Patil) gives an efficient performance as Genelia's brother. Manjari Phadnis (as Imraan's fiance) acts naturally.
The review will be incomplete without mentioning about the music of the film. The music is peppy, melodious and energetic reestablishing the fact that A.R.Rahman is a master music composer. No comparisons here! Each and every track is worth mentioning and music is already in the top of the charts. Cinematography, Screenplay and Dialogues are first-rate. To sum up, Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Naa works for various reasons and is definitely going to be liked immensely by the youth. Considering the fact that the movie has taken a bumper opening at the ticket window, Aamir Khan has one more feather to the list of his successful home productions- Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par. Don't miss it!
I went for the paid preview of "Love Story 2050" the last night. As such I did not have any huge expectations from this Harman Baweja - Priyanka Chopra starrer promoted as a sci-fi love story. Since I am a movie fanatic, it was not the movie but the excitement to see the movie just a day before its release that pulled me towards the cinema hall to watch this movie. When I entered the auditorium, a few questions came across my mind :
Will the movie be at least worth a watch?
Will this movie give its debutante the success that Hrithik’s first movie gave it to him?
Will the movie be able to withstand the competition from “Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Naa" releasing the same day?
Will the movie be able to break the norm in Bollywood as being the first Indian sci-fi love story?
Well, the answers to all such queries are provided here in my review but I would not reveal the story as there is none to conceal also.
The movie starts on a slow and dull note but slowly gains momentum as the romance starts burgeoning between Harman and Priyanka. Though the treatment of the romance is not different from that in other love stories but the light moments in the initial reels makes one show some liking towards the movie. Introduction scene of Boman Irani (the scientist who creates the “TIME MACHINE” that makes it possible to peep into the past and the future) and the scenes following it make you curious as what is going to take place next. But the liking for the movie starts vanishing into air the moment Priyanka Chopra dies and the movie traverses from 2008 to 2050 (no prizes for guessing how but due to the Time Machine). At this point of time, one does not feel sympathetic towards the lovers - separated by destiny. Overall, the first half of the movie is strictly okay.
The movie loses its sheer momentum and pace after the interval. The second half of the movie is a huge letdown. The director (Harry Baweja) attempts to create Mumbai 2050 in the most advanced and modern way (that it has robots overtaking the man power, the girls looking more like witches than being normal persons, all the vehicles flying in the air, etc.) but he fails to create an impact. The director tried to focus too much on special effects (they are not great that makes you ga-ga over them) that the script takes a backseat. The movie becomes just an ordinary love story sans any emotions and it hardly offers anything to impress. One waits eagerly for the movie to end.Contrary to the title of the movie, the first half of the movie (shown in 2008) is bearable but your forbearance is put to test through the second half (shown in 2050). Now, lets look into the other departments of the movie.
Harman Baweja – the lead actor shows promise in his first venture. He has a charming screen presence and does a good job. He displays great dancing skills too. He is expected to deliver much better performances in his forthcoming movies ( “Whats my Rashi?” to be directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and another one with Sanjay Leela Bhansali). Priyanka Chopra suits her part but she could have been given a much better scope to showcase her talent. The chemistry between the lead couple starts building up in the first hour but looses all the spark post the interval. Boman Irani is satisfactory. Archana Puran Singh is lovable. The music of the movie (by Anu Malik) is a big disappointment. It lacks the top of the charts quality. Background score fails to entice. Cinematography is perfect. In a nutshell, the movie rests on a wafer-thin and puerile plot that would make difficult for it to find a place in the audience’s hearts. It faces a tough competition from the Aamir Khan produced “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na” and would have to struggle hard at the box office even to be a decent earner.
Before I start sharing my views about this movie, I would like to make it clear that I would not deal with the story of the movie as in other reviews. I will just present my own perception about the movie.
Considering the fact that I am a big Yashrajfilms fan, the excitement in me to see this movie was obvious. This was despite the fact that the past few releases of the Yashraj Productions were complete failures (Read : Tashan, Aaja Nachle, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom though I liked Aaja Nachle the sole reason being "Madhuri Dixit"). Since I immensely loved the Kunal Kohli directed "Hum Tum", I entered the cinema hall expecting a similar feel good movie from him. I went with a group of friends who were not quite willing to see the movie as they thought it will be a major letdown like the past few Yashrajfilms. But I kept my hopes from Kunal Kohli and Yashrajfilms intact.
Thankfully, the movie turned out to be exactly what I expected and saved me from the critical comments from my friends who have thought of boycotting the Yashrajfilms after watching the terrible "TASHAN". Though the movie was not publicised to a great extent and there was not much hype associated with the film, it is worth a watch. TPTM is a simple story handled in an efficient manner by the director Kunal Kohli.A bit of light and a little of emotional moments makes the audience hook to the screen. It is not a great but a feel good cinema that makes you come out of the auditorium elated at the end.
The movie rests on the shoulders of its lead actors- Rani Mukherjee (plays an angel) and Saif Ali Khan and the four kids. Rani and Saif display a nice chemistry. The four kids especially the one who plays 'Iqbal'- a sikh boy, give adorable and cute performances. Amisha Patel in a special appearance though looks stupid but sizzles in her "Lazy Lamhe" attire. Shankar Ehsaan Loy's music though does not leave one spellbound but the track "Pyar Ke Liye" deserves special mention. Screenplay and cinematography seem appropriate. The climax though predictable is treated in a slightly different manner. Overlooking the minor glitches here and there, the movie turns out to be an enjoyable fair for the family and friends especially the kids. Finally, the movie brings back the magic of Yashrajfilms. Though it may not be a huge opener at the box office, it is expected to grow with strong word of mouth giving Yashrajfilms and Rani Mukherjee a much needed hit as well as ending the dry spell in the Hindi Film Industry. Go for it!
