Socha na tha (2005) - movie review

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Peanuts! That's probably what I could expect from a commonplace title like this one. I'd not even seen the trailer. And that could possibly skew my judgment either way. The cast was ordinary at the most. First timer Abhay Deol with two-films old Ayesha Takia. Dim prospects!

The movie proved me wrong and how. My thoughts resonated strongly with the title after watching the film. Finally an original, worth-a-watch script from our very own Bollywood. Courtesy debutante Imtiaz Ali (responsible for the direction, story, screenplay and dialogues). He proved he's here to stay. [Jab We Met (2007) only reinstated my belief in him].

SNT is an engaging love story of Viren (Abhay) and Aditi (Ayesha) who are introduced to each other through their families. Their families have met each other, gotten the kundalis (horoscopes) matched. Viren likes Aditi, but wouldn't marry her, he confides. He's been seeing Karen for three years now. The aftereffects of their conversation are d-e-a-d-l-y. The two families are up against each other. A war (well, almost!) is declared! Strangely enough, things are different for Viren and Aditi. Without giving away more, I'll say go watch it.

Something I look forward to in a film is a good story, executed well, with characters I can relate to. SNT has it all. The good part is it's not another hackneyed love story. Be it the not-so-perfect boyfriend Viren proposing (read: forced to) his girlfriend in the middle of a hundred odd people or Viren and Aditi's conversation in the middle of the night, away in Goa, where they discuss all things random -- their first meeting, ex-bfs, gfs, striptease -- at ease. Their chemistry speaks for itself and louder than words can express.

 Those who have seen it know what I mean, those who haven't, don't miss it! 

Saathiya (2002) - movie review

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This one's very close to my heart and will always be. What works from the beginning till the end is the chemistry Adi (Vivek Oberoi) and Suhana (Rani Mukherji) share. It's realistic, it's relatable. Adi, Suhana are passionate, crazy lovers and that shows, every time they exchange a dialogue or even just a smile! Their story is not without their share of misunderstandings and fights but at the end of it all, they know they can't live without each other.

Saathiya is a very basic love story but it's the treatment (courtesy director Shaad Ali) that makes you want to watch the film again and again. It's love at first sight for Adi, who meets Suhana at a wedding. The lover boy does all he can to patao (woo) her, following her everywhere. Strong and determined Suhana (a medical student) is all too occupied in her studies to even give it a thought! She refuses to believe his version of the (love) story. For her, it's anything but love. But Adi is more than well-versed with the tricks of the trade ;)

 I'll count this among Rani Mukherji's best performances. I also enjoyed watching her in Bunty aur Babli, Hum Tum, Tara Rum Pum, Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Dil Bole Hadippa. She may not have the looks but is one of the best actors in the industry today. Vivek Oberoi broke his stereotypical Chandu image (of Company) with this film. He charms with his puppy-dog eyes and smile. Sit back and enjoy this bittersweet love story and don't forget to grab the popcorn :) Coincidently, the film completes its eight years today. It released Dec 20, 2002.
[Titbit - Vivek will be seen next in Bloody Paki, directed by Shaad Ali and produced by Mani Ratnam].

Band Baaja Baraat (2010) - movie review

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Stepped out of the theatre an hour back. Couldn't resist writing this one. BBB is 140 minutes well spent. 
The newbie Ranveer Singh is brilliant as Bittoo. [Near-ugly looking, but does give a glance of Ranbir Kapoor - especially his hairdo! Anyone?]. His angrezi is as good as his sense of binnuss. (He means business ;) The dud wants to make it to the top. But how? That's when he bumps into Anushka aka Shruti Kakkar, who is driven, amtibious and has a plan.   

I loved Ranvir for his raw coquettish ways but Anushka totally took me by surprise in this one. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi did little for me to take note of her as an actor but she totally rocked my boat in BBB! Together they make an entertaining pair. 
What works besides a strong script is a gripping screenplay (courtesy Habib Faisal - who also has to his credit films like Do Dooni Chaar, Salaam Namaste). 
Also, it isn't very often you come across Bollywood filming sensual scenes with ease. Band Baaja... achieves it all too comfortably and convincingly. 
Overall, BBB wondrously recreates the magic of Dilli - the shaadis, the people, the culture, the language, the food. Everything about it. From Janakpuri to Sainak Farms, dilliwallas sure can't afford to miss this one.

Music by Salim-Sulemaan scores big time, helping the film forward. Aivee Aivee is scattered in bits and parts throughout the movie but you'll love it everytime it plays. Thumbs down to the last track Dum Mast. Slackens the pace of the otherwise racy film.
Overall, I'm sure the directors and actors have had as much fun making the film as the audiences had, watching it.


This post is an entry to the Reel-Life Bloggers contest organized by wogma.com andreviewgang.com

Phas Gaye re Obama (2010) - movie review

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Brilliant concept royally rogered!
The last 10 minutes leave you with a smile. But that's all. PGRO unfolds really slow. You almost want to tear your hair off as it moves on and y(awn)! Thanks to the director, the two hours seem like eternity. He has an interesting (and different) story to tell but fails miserably in its execution.

While characters like Anni (a local gangster who only dreams of going to Amrika), bhaisaab, the head of the gang (played by Sanjay Mishra), NRI Om Shastri (played by Rajat Kapoor), absorb you (almost!), others like our female Gabbar Singh (Neha Dhupia) and her quirky gang, are hard to swallow.

Plot - Om Shastri beaten down by the recession, comes to India to sell his ancestral home, so he can pay off his debt. The film takes you through the mess, he gets caught in, while trying to sell the haveli. Bhai saab, jinhe "apna career banana hai, gentry mein jana hai" [wants to make a career, lead a hi-fi life] does all he can to kidnap Om Shashtri, (for whom he's been waiting for the last 7 years) and extract some ransom, only to find that Mr. NRI is all broke. Bhai saab's dreams are just about to shatter before Mr Shastri comes to his rescue with a brilliant idea! The film is not without laughs but moves at snail pace. Critics will love it, but I doubt the audience will, as much. You might just want to wait for the DVD!