Rangeela
Reviewed 10th Aug. 2007
I didn't remember anything about this film so when I watched it yesterday it was as though I was watching a new film (though it is in every way very 90's of course haha)!
Ram Gopal Varma is an interesting director and I usually enjoy his films, though rarely do I love them. Rangeela has it's moments. It's a very interesting concept but the screenplay is a slight let down. In fact there are a number of let downs... I had grown up being told that this movie is a classic so I was personally disappointed because I didn't consider what I saw to be classic-material personally...
Downsides:
* Urmila's performance. She's usually brilliant in her RGV movies but this is definitely an exception, according to me. She acted a bit too over the top.
* The music! This is meant to be a legendary album but I personally really hate the songs. The music is too loud and the singing to low - I personally feel it's nothing more but a headache album. The only song I really like is 'Tanha Tanha'.
* Screenplay...gets slow at times and the editing also as there could've easily been some scenes chopped off for better of the film.
^^ All those downsides out of the way, it's still a good film. It didn't live up to the expectations I had formed over the years, but nonetheless it was very good.
Jackie Shroff churned out a decent performance, though the role did not demand much. Same goes for Gulshan Grover.
Urmila Matondkar disappointed me as I stated above in the 'downsides' section. Though I must say that she was good in some scenes. She looked pretty and Manish did a very good job with her outfits. And though I found her very annoying I have to admit that even I wouldn't think of a better casted person in the role of Mili from the actresses available in the 90's - Urmila was an amazing dancer and her innocence was very warm! So yes she didn't impress me but at the same she was probably the best suited to the role compared to her contemporaries.
The scene stealer was by far and without doubt Aamir Khan! He was completely natural and shone in the role of Munna - the role was certainly tailor-made for him and I can't imagine any other actor having pulled it off. Actually, till date for me Sanju Baba was Munna Bhai, but now Aamir has put me in a bit of a fix haha 'coz he was a perfect Munna Bhai! Very natural performance, extremely likable as always!
Overall, Rangeela is a good movie in general from RGV's camp, but it had potential to be better!
Friday, 31 August 2007
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
The Legend Of Bhagat Singh [2002]
The Legend Of Bhagat Singh
Reviewed 29.08.2007
When this film released, just over five years ago, I was totally against watching it for various reasons: [1] I was a huge fan of 23rd March 1931 Shaheed (the Deol's version) and had a grudge of sorts against Raj Kumar Santoshi [RKS] for playing dirty with the Deol's, [2] I hated the soundtrack with a passion, [3] Though even then I was a huge fan of Ajay Devgan, I felt he was a completely incorrect casting for the role of Bhagat Singh, especially when I had heard him (attempt to) scream 'Inquilab Zindabad' in the promo - I felt he sounded like a mouse.
Now, five years is a long time! So when I saw the DVD on sale in a store a couple of months back, I decided it was worth buying (because it was so cheap - in a 3 for £10 deal). And then eventually I got around to watching it earlier this week.
The film is a brilliant attempt at trying to tell the true story of Bhagat Singh and the history of India at that time. With so many cinematic adaptations on this piece of history, it's impossible not to compare the films with each other! The two films I will compare it to are 23rd March 1931 Shaheed [Guddu Dhanoa, 2002] and Rang De Basanti [Rakeysh Mehra, 2006]. In comparison to the Guddu Dhanoa film, The Legend Of Bhagat Singh [TLOBS] is far superior in most aspects - and this statement comes from a huge fan of Dhanoa’s version. Where Dhanoa’s version fails, RKS excels. The technical aspects in TLOBS is evidently better and TLOBS also appears as the more intelligently scripted and historically correct version – especially as Bhagat Singh’s own brother had guided RKS. However there is one department in which Dhanoa’s version is far greater, and that is the soundtrack (which I will comment on in more detail later)! Now coming to Rang De Basanti, which deals with the subject in an entirely different way as compared to the two Bhagat Singh films, I would say that Rang De Basanti arguably is a better film then TLOBS. Rakeysh Mehra cleverly incorporates the history of Indian independence, without becoming to lecture-type and wannabe-studious about it. TLOBS is definitely like a history lesson but that doesn’t necessarily stand as a negative point against the film, because I’d say it’s a history lesson every Indian should go through the process of watching!
My only problems with the film are [1] the soundtrack and [2] a small part of the film that I found unconvincing. I’ll talk about these first, so I can get them out of the way:
Though a brilliant film, TLOBS does have its downsides. The most irritating one, according to me, being the soundtrack by A R Rahman. Though here I would add that the background score of the film is definitely praiseworthy, the actual soundtrack was so disappointing and out of context – an absolute disappointment from someone like A R Rahman who is so highly rated! Not even a single song on the album consists of Punjabi-flavour and none of the singers sing in a way believable that Bhagat Singh may have sang, making it hard to digest that these songs could have existed in that time. The instruments used also seem out of place considering the time the film is set in, in fact the songs sound extremely modern. This is the one department that Guddu Dhanoa’s version, with music by Anand Raaj Anand, scores over Raj Kumar Santoshi.
The only other disappointment in the film was the scene in which we see Mannewali and Bhagat actually speaking! That was incredibly surprising. Would a couple in a village of Punjab, and that too in the 1920s/30s actually speak to each other before marriage like that? Again, this is another part that I preferred in Dhanoa’s version where Bhagat spoke to his parents about his commitment, rather then to the girl. Also, I was happy in Dhanoa’s version that Bhagat was not shown shying away and giggling at the mention of his could-be- fiancé when with his friends. I felt RKS was trying to give too much importance to the fiancé-angle just for some commercial acceptance from the audience!
Director Raj Kumar Santoshi does a brilliant job in extracting some fantastic performances from his cast.
As Bhagat Singh Ajay Devgan does not leave any scope to better the performance – he is perfect! I will not go drawing comparisons between his portrayal and Bobby Deol’s, because I felt Bobby too was absolutely perfect (and had the advantage of actually resembling Bhagat Singh)! Even though I’ve never been disappointed by Ajay’s performances, I still for some reason had my reservations about seeing him portray this role. Thankfully though, I was proven wrong and Ajay once again excels and churns out a fantastically natural and convincing performance.
All the other actors excel too. Sushant Singh is amazing and D.Santosh leaves a huge impact as Rajguru! Akhilendra Mishra delivers a natural performance, and in fact all the other actors portraying the roles of freedom fighters also make a good impression with their performances. Amrita Rao has no true purpose and stands around in the background of many frames, acting like a mere plank! Last but not least, Raj Babbar & Farida Jailal are in full form as always.
Overall, Raj Kumar Santoshi delivers a brilliant film, as he most often does. I’m glad I finally got around to watching it and I would recommend it to the other few people who’ve yet to see it also! If I were rating the film out of 10 I’d give it a 8, I would easily have given it a 9 but the soundtrack is so disappointing (I actually felt like puking whenever the songs came, and surely that’s not a good thing in a patriotic musical where the songs should make you feel all emotional etc), so yeah I’ll stick with 8/10 – fantastic film!
Reviewed 29.08.2007
When this film released, just over five years ago, I was totally against watching it for various reasons: [1] I was a huge fan of 23rd March 1931 Shaheed (the Deol's version) and had a grudge of sorts against Raj Kumar Santoshi [RKS] for playing dirty with the Deol's, [2] I hated the soundtrack with a passion, [3] Though even then I was a huge fan of Ajay Devgan, I felt he was a completely incorrect casting for the role of Bhagat Singh, especially when I had heard him (attempt to) scream 'Inquilab Zindabad' in the promo - I felt he sounded like a mouse.
Now, five years is a long time! So when I saw the DVD on sale in a store a couple of months back, I decided it was worth buying (because it was so cheap - in a 3 for £10 deal). And then eventually I got around to watching it earlier this week.
The film is a brilliant attempt at trying to tell the true story of Bhagat Singh and the history of India at that time. With so many cinematic adaptations on this piece of history, it's impossible not to compare the films with each other! The two films I will compare it to are 23rd March 1931 Shaheed [Guddu Dhanoa, 2002] and Rang De Basanti [Rakeysh Mehra, 2006]. In comparison to the Guddu Dhanoa film, The Legend Of Bhagat Singh [TLOBS] is far superior in most aspects - and this statement comes from a huge fan of Dhanoa’s version. Where Dhanoa’s version fails, RKS excels. The technical aspects in TLOBS is evidently better and TLOBS also appears as the more intelligently scripted and historically correct version – especially as Bhagat Singh’s own brother had guided RKS. However there is one department in which Dhanoa’s version is far greater, and that is the soundtrack (which I will comment on in more detail later)! Now coming to Rang De Basanti, which deals with the subject in an entirely different way as compared to the two Bhagat Singh films, I would say that Rang De Basanti arguably is a better film then TLOBS. Rakeysh Mehra cleverly incorporates the history of Indian independence, without becoming to lecture-type and wannabe-studious about it. TLOBS is definitely like a history lesson but that doesn’t necessarily stand as a negative point against the film, because I’d say it’s a history lesson every Indian should go through the process of watching!
My only problems with the film are [1] the soundtrack and [2] a small part of the film that I found unconvincing. I’ll talk about these first, so I can get them out of the way:
Though a brilliant film, TLOBS does have its downsides. The most irritating one, according to me, being the soundtrack by A R Rahman. Though here I would add that the background score of the film is definitely praiseworthy, the actual soundtrack was so disappointing and out of context – an absolute disappointment from someone like A R Rahman who is so highly rated! Not even a single song on the album consists of Punjabi-flavour and none of the singers sing in a way believable that Bhagat Singh may have sang, making it hard to digest that these songs could have existed in that time. The instruments used also seem out of place considering the time the film is set in, in fact the songs sound extremely modern. This is the one department that Guddu Dhanoa’s version, with music by Anand Raaj Anand, scores over Raj Kumar Santoshi.
The only other disappointment in the film was the scene in which we see Mannewali and Bhagat actually speaking! That was incredibly surprising. Would a couple in a village of Punjab, and that too in the 1920s/30s actually speak to each other before marriage like that? Again, this is another part that I preferred in Dhanoa’s version where Bhagat spoke to his parents about his commitment, rather then to the girl. Also, I was happy in Dhanoa’s version that Bhagat was not shown shying away and giggling at the mention of his could-be- fiancé when with his friends. I felt RKS was trying to give too much importance to the fiancé-angle just for some commercial acceptance from the audience!
Director Raj Kumar Santoshi does a brilliant job in extracting some fantastic performances from his cast.
As Bhagat Singh Ajay Devgan does not leave any scope to better the performance – he is perfect! I will not go drawing comparisons between his portrayal and Bobby Deol’s, because I felt Bobby too was absolutely perfect (and had the advantage of actually resembling Bhagat Singh)! Even though I’ve never been disappointed by Ajay’s performances, I still for some reason had my reservations about seeing him portray this role. Thankfully though, I was proven wrong and Ajay once again excels and churns out a fantastically natural and convincing performance.
All the other actors excel too. Sushant Singh is amazing and D.Santosh leaves a huge impact as Rajguru! Akhilendra Mishra delivers a natural performance, and in fact all the other actors portraying the roles of freedom fighters also make a good impression with their performances. Amrita Rao has no true purpose and stands around in the background of many frames, acting like a mere plank! Last but not least, Raj Babbar & Farida Jailal are in full form as always.
Overall, Raj Kumar Santoshi delivers a brilliant film, as he most often does. I’m glad I finally got around to watching it and I would recommend it to the other few people who’ve yet to see it also! If I were rating the film out of 10 I’d give it a 8, I would easily have given it a 9 but the soundtrack is so disappointing (I actually felt like puking whenever the songs came, and surely that’s not a good thing in a patriotic musical where the songs should make you feel all emotional etc), so yeah I’ll stick with 8/10 – fantastic film!
Sadak [1992]
Sadak
Reviewed 15.08.2007
I didn't remember this at all so for me it was like I was watching a new movie. It was good... didn't drag. Nice songs..nice performances all round. Everything was pretty good, I was impressed..Longer review coming soon - Stay tuned.
Reviewed 15.08.2007
I didn't remember this at all so for me it was like I was watching a new movie. It was good... didn't drag. Nice songs..nice performances all round. Everything was pretty good, I was impressed..Longer review coming soon - Stay tuned.
Ek Chalis Ki Last Local [2007]
Ek Chalis Ki Last Local
Reviewed __
Saw it...Liked it! Good film...very interesting story.Neha looked pretty and acted fine.Abhay Deol stole the show as always This man is born to steal shows LOL...He rocked!Quite a good film! Stay tuned for a longer review.
Reviewed __
Saw it...Liked it! Good film...very interesting story.Neha looked pretty and acted fine.Abhay Deol stole the show as always This man is born to steal shows LOL...He rocked!Quite a good film! Stay tuned for a longer review.
The Train [2007]
The Train
Reviewed 13.08.2007
I love Emraan Hashmi's films in general so I felt really happy when my sis bought Awarapan and The Train on DVD even though we hadn't seen them yet -- with Emraan Hashmi you can rely on him that his films will be worth at least one watch (most of the time). The Train is not an exceptional film, it's not extraordinary. However, it's a good way to pass time and the concept was very good. I have seen Derailed when I was in college but as with most Hollywood movies I remember jack-all about it, so I cannot compare or comment on the issue of it being inspired or what not!
As far as the music goes, I'm not a huge fan of the soundtrack, it's OK but it's not really up to the standards I have from an Emraan Hashmi movie (but then again why should it be haha he's an actor, not a music director LOL)!
Emraan Hashmi delivers yet another natural performance. He handled the role with a lot of maturity. Sayali is a pretty girl but in her close-up shots one wishes her make up artiste had at least tried a bit harder! Acting-wise she wasn't outstanding, but still did an impressive job. Geeta Basra is an insult to British fans of Hindi Cinema. I remember she once said she wants to be the next Madhuri Dixit... All I can say is girl pull your pretty little socks up (rather then pulling your skirt up) next time. Her make up was horrifying and her dubbing was just terrible!
I was very disappointed by one of my favourite designers (Vikram Phadnis). The clothes were very pretty but at times did not keep in tune with the film or characterisation.
Overall, The Train is a decent film. I don't see myself watching it repeatedly but perhaps after a couple of years I will pick up the DVD from my shelf and give it another watch haha... It's fine but I hoped for better!
Reviewed 13.08.2007
I love Emraan Hashmi's films in general so I felt really happy when my sis bought Awarapan and The Train on DVD even though we hadn't seen them yet -- with Emraan Hashmi you can rely on him that his films will be worth at least one watch (most of the time). The Train is not an exceptional film, it's not extraordinary. However, it's a good way to pass time and the concept was very good. I have seen Derailed when I was in college but as with most Hollywood movies I remember jack-all about it, so I cannot compare or comment on the issue of it being inspired or what not!
As far as the music goes, I'm not a huge fan of the soundtrack, it's OK but it's not really up to the standards I have from an Emraan Hashmi movie (but then again why should it be haha he's an actor, not a music director LOL)!
Emraan Hashmi delivers yet another natural performance. He handled the role with a lot of maturity. Sayali is a pretty girl but in her close-up shots one wishes her make up artiste had at least tried a bit harder! Acting-wise she wasn't outstanding, but still did an impressive job. Geeta Basra is an insult to British fans of Hindi Cinema. I remember she once said she wants to be the next Madhuri Dixit... All I can say is girl pull your pretty little socks up (rather then pulling your skirt up) next time. Her make up was horrifying and her dubbing was just terrible!
I was very disappointed by one of my favourite designers (Vikram Phadnis). The clothes were very pretty but at times did not keep in tune with the film or characterisation.
Overall, The Train is a decent film. I don't see myself watching it repeatedly but perhaps after a couple of years I will pick up the DVD from my shelf and give it another watch haha... It's fine but I hoped for better!
Awarapan [2007]
Awarapan
Reviewed 14.08.2007
I'm a huge fan of the Bhatt's and Emraan Hashmi so I was really awaiting Awarapan and had even wanted to see it in the cinema, but was unable to as it released with Apne! The film did not live up to my expectations because the pace was extremely s.l.o.w...! I was disappointed to an extent as I have very high expectations from the Bhatt's. It's a good film but had potential to be a lot better. The screenplay and general pace were the biggest let down's!
The soundtrack is simply outstanding, it's by far one of the best albums this year... Amazing songs! I love 'Mahiya', 'To Phir Aao' & 'Tera Mera Rishta'.
Performances were good overall. Emraan Hashmi yet again proves that he is a complete natural performer. He's a brilliant actor and has everything going for him. Fantastic performance as always! Oh and I loved his hairstyle!
As far as the girls go, Mrinalini Sharma gave a very good performance and looked absolutely gorgeous! I really liked this girl a lot... Absolutely fantastic! Shriya was average. She looked quite bad but performed fine in whatever little she had.
Ashutosh Rana did justice to his role, but I did not like him as much as I have in some of his past films. Salil was very good!
Overall, I find that Awarapan is a good film but it's slightly disappointing coming from the Bhatt's! It has it's moments but could've been a whole load better with a finer screenplay and a better pace! A recommended watch nonetheless. In comparison to this films I've seen this year I'd say it joins Guru...LMKK...JBJ...The Train with a 6/10 rating.
Reviewed 14.08.2007
I'm a huge fan of the Bhatt's and Emraan Hashmi so I was really awaiting Awarapan and had even wanted to see it in the cinema, but was unable to as it released with Apne! The film did not live up to my expectations because the pace was extremely s.l.o.w...! I was disappointed to an extent as I have very high expectations from the Bhatt's. It's a good film but had potential to be a lot better. The screenplay and general pace were the biggest let down's!
The soundtrack is simply outstanding, it's by far one of the best albums this year... Amazing songs! I love 'Mahiya', 'To Phir Aao' & 'Tera Mera Rishta'.
Performances were good overall. Emraan Hashmi yet again proves that he is a complete natural performer. He's a brilliant actor and has everything going for him. Fantastic performance as always! Oh and I loved his hairstyle!
As far as the girls go, Mrinalini Sharma gave a very good performance and looked absolutely gorgeous! I really liked this girl a lot... Absolutely fantastic! Shriya was average. She looked quite bad but performed fine in whatever little she had.
Ashutosh Rana did justice to his role, but I did not like him as much as I have in some of his past films. Salil was very good!
Overall, I find that Awarapan is a good film but it's slightly disappointing coming from the Bhatt's! It has it's moments but could've been a whole load better with a finer screenplay and a better pace! A recommended watch nonetheless. In comparison to this films I've seen this year I'd say it joins Guru...LMKK...JBJ...The Train with a 6/10 rating.
Chak De India [2007]
Chak De India
Reviewed 13.08.2007
The YRF-SRK team has been loved by many over the past 14 years so them teaming up again for ‘Chak De India’ definitely created hype among the audience. Does ‘Chak De India’ live up to the created hype? Most definitely!
The basic story of the film is brilliant. It’s inspiring and such a brilliant concept. The screenplay is perfect too and does complete justice to the great story. When the intermission comes you’re left in surprise as the first half goes by so quickly! And then you suppose that perhaps the second half wont be as fast because it has quite a few hockey matches in it – but I was proven wrong as the second half was just as slick and fast-paced as the first half.
As a high school student I had always enjoyed playing hockey in our PE lessons, but I was never so interested in the sport as to play it further as a passion or join a team etc… And I’ve never in my life seen a hockey match on TV. However, after seeing this film I am just so intrigued by the sport that I am willing to watch all the games that are aired on TV – it just seems so fun! When the film finished and I came home I told my family how I really wished I was trained for a hockey team haha… It was just as fun to watch as football is! And sports incorporated into films as part of the genre has become really exciting to watch… The car racing in ‘TRRP’, the biking in ‘D2’ and now the hockey in ‘CDI’ is always portrayed so brilliantly… Now I really can’t wait to watch ‘Goal’ this winter!
The music by Salim-Sulaiman forms an outstanding soundtrack, with each song being so beautifully composed – the best of the lot easily being the title track itself. The way in which they incorporated the songs in the film as background music was praiseworthy – their placement in the script was perfect!
Director, Shimit Amin excels and churns out a great product. He extracts brilliant performances from his cast and justifies his screenplay with utmost brilliance. Hats off to him for taking on such a beautiful theme and creating such a fantastic movie!
Producers Yash Raj Films are back with a bang this time and if all goes well ‘CDI’ should bring to them their well deserved Box Office and critical acclaim because it’s a perfect film!
The entire cast did a brilliant job with the performances! Great casting results in natural performances all-round!
It’s unfair to let any of the girls go unnoticed because they all did an amazing job and fit their characters so well! But the girls who stood out most were those who portrayed the roles of the very pretty Preeti, the ice-queen Bindia, the cute but feisty Komal, the more subdued but intriguing Vidya and of course the most entertaining of all Balbir!
Now coming on to the King of all hearts, the King of all actors… the best forever and always – Shah Rukh Khan. As expected the King Khan once more delivers the finest performance and stuns with his natural performance as Kabir Khan. It’s very tough for any member of the audience to critically analyse such a perfect actors performance – he can never go wrong so it’s only expected that he churns out not just his best but the best! His chemistry with all the young girls was outstanding and I think the fact that he was working with new co-stars added a fresher feel to his performance. I really don’t know how to express his brilliance as a performer, or how I can justify with mere words just how great he was in this performance… so all I can say is that here is a man who is for me the finest actor that ever lived, and this in my opinion is one of his most outstanding performance of his career, so you can do the maths about just how amazing he is in ‘Chak De India’!
Overall: ‘Chak De India’ is by far the best Hindi film of 2007 and I recommend it to each individual. A film about sportsmanship, spirit, teamwork and determination – it’s a must see for everyone! 10/10 !
Reviewed 13.08.2007
The YRF-SRK team has been loved by many over the past 14 years so them teaming up again for ‘Chak De India’ definitely created hype among the audience. Does ‘Chak De India’ live up to the created hype? Most definitely!
The basic story of the film is brilliant. It’s inspiring and such a brilliant concept. The screenplay is perfect too and does complete justice to the great story. When the intermission comes you’re left in surprise as the first half goes by so quickly! And then you suppose that perhaps the second half wont be as fast because it has quite a few hockey matches in it – but I was proven wrong as the second half was just as slick and fast-paced as the first half.
As a high school student I had always enjoyed playing hockey in our PE lessons, but I was never so interested in the sport as to play it further as a passion or join a team etc… And I’ve never in my life seen a hockey match on TV. However, after seeing this film I am just so intrigued by the sport that I am willing to watch all the games that are aired on TV – it just seems so fun! When the film finished and I came home I told my family how I really wished I was trained for a hockey team haha… It was just as fun to watch as football is! And sports incorporated into films as part of the genre has become really exciting to watch… The car racing in ‘TRRP’, the biking in ‘D2’ and now the hockey in ‘CDI’ is always portrayed so brilliantly… Now I really can’t wait to watch ‘Goal’ this winter!
The music by Salim-Sulaiman forms an outstanding soundtrack, with each song being so beautifully composed – the best of the lot easily being the title track itself. The way in which they incorporated the songs in the film as background music was praiseworthy – their placement in the script was perfect!
Director, Shimit Amin excels and churns out a great product. He extracts brilliant performances from his cast and justifies his screenplay with utmost brilliance. Hats off to him for taking on such a beautiful theme and creating such a fantastic movie!
Producers Yash Raj Films are back with a bang this time and if all goes well ‘CDI’ should bring to them their well deserved Box Office and critical acclaim because it’s a perfect film!
The entire cast did a brilliant job with the performances! Great casting results in natural performances all-round!
It’s unfair to let any of the girls go unnoticed because they all did an amazing job and fit their characters so well! But the girls who stood out most were those who portrayed the roles of the very pretty Preeti, the ice-queen Bindia, the cute but feisty Komal, the more subdued but intriguing Vidya and of course the most entertaining of all Balbir!
Now coming on to the King of all hearts, the King of all actors… the best forever and always – Shah Rukh Khan. As expected the King Khan once more delivers the finest performance and stuns with his natural performance as Kabir Khan. It’s very tough for any member of the audience to critically analyse such a perfect actors performance – he can never go wrong so it’s only expected that he churns out not just his best but the best! His chemistry with all the young girls was outstanding and I think the fact that he was working with new co-stars added a fresher feel to his performance. I really don’t know how to express his brilliance as a performer, or how I can justify with mere words just how great he was in this performance… so all I can say is that here is a man who is for me the finest actor that ever lived, and this in my opinion is one of his most outstanding performance of his career, so you can do the maths about just how amazing he is in ‘Chak De India’!
Overall: ‘Chak De India’ is by far the best Hindi film of 2007 and I recommend it to each individual. A film about sportsmanship, spirit, teamwork and determination – it’s a must see for everyone! 10/10 !
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Fiza [2000]
Fiza
Reviewed 31 July 2007
I bought the DVD on the weekend so got a chance of watching it after almost 7 years hehe...been a long time. Wow... Wow... WOW! What an amazing and powerful film! It truly leaves an impact of sorts... The characters are all really well written.
Karisma Kapoor is simply outstanding. She's so natural!! She breathes such innocence into her performance, however she never once appears weak - she's so strong. A Great character and an amazing performance... truly, hats off to Karisma for pulling this off so beautifully. She looked gorgeous, performed like a dreaaaam and I just have to add that her dancing in 'Main Naachu Bin Paayal' is one of the best actress-dances I've seen in my liiifetime..She's just amazing, this girl rocks!
Hrithik Roshan was too good to be true. For a newcomer to have churned out such a stunning performance in a tough role like Amaan...I really don't know what to say! He looked gorgeous too and him & Karisma really looked like bro-sis! His performance was just as good Karisma's!
Jaya Bachchan was good too, though she tended to go overboard at times...but overall it's a very good performance...though nothing will change my view tht Jaya Bhaduri was 1000x better then Jaya Bachchan!
Songs are fabulous...Anu Malik is simply a genius!
Overall I really really really love this movie...Not once did I get bored. It's absolutely AMAZING!
Reviewed 31 July 2007
I bought the DVD on the weekend so got a chance of watching it after almost 7 years hehe...been a long time. Wow... Wow... WOW! What an amazing and powerful film! It truly leaves an impact of sorts... The characters are all really well written.
Karisma Kapoor is simply outstanding. She's so natural!! She breathes such innocence into her performance, however she never once appears weak - she's so strong. A Great character and an amazing performance... truly, hats off to Karisma for pulling this off so beautifully. She looked gorgeous, performed like a dreaaaam and I just have to add that her dancing in 'Main Naachu Bin Paayal' is one of the best actress-dances I've seen in my liiifetime..She's just amazing, this girl rocks!
Hrithik Roshan was too good to be true. For a newcomer to have churned out such a stunning performance in a tough role like Amaan...I really don't know what to say! He looked gorgeous too and him & Karisma really looked like bro-sis! His performance was just as good Karisma's!
Jaya Bachchan was good too, though she tended to go overboard at times...but overall it's a very good performance...though nothing will change my view tht Jaya Bhaduri was 1000x better then Jaya Bachchan!
Songs are fabulous...Anu Malik is simply a genius!
Overall I really really really love this movie...Not once did I get bored. It's absolutely AMAZING!
Damini [1993]
Damini
Reviewed 02 August 2007
Wow!!! I didn't remember anything about this film so it was a treat watching it last night. What a fantastic movie!! Everything about it was brilliant. It's a very long film and yet never dragged and I didn't hit the skip button at any given point. The story was great and so was the screenplay. The climax of the film was brilliant but I think the judge got a bit filmi hehe they could've toned down his dialogues the slightest bit at least to make it a bit more real!
Meenakshi Sheshadri was simply outstanding!! I cannot believe that she did not win any awards for this? I haven't seen much of her as an actress to be honest but this was a very natural and convincing performance, and that too in such a tough role. I was really really really impressed by her. She did a great job! Sunny Deol is an absolute scene-stealer! His role is really short in terms of length but the power and strength it holds makes it one of the best roles an actor could wish for and Sunny's mannerisms, dialogue delivery and emotions are spot on perfect. A really natural performance and very much worthy of the award(s) he won. Loved his dialogues... be it 'dhai kilo ka haath' or 'tareeq pe tareeq'..fab dialogues!!
Rishi Kapoor didn't have much to do but did extremely well in whatever he had, as he is as we all know a brilliant and natural performer. Amrish Puri was fantastic. His eyes have so much fire in them!! It was awesome to see him and Sunny confront each other as they both have such strength in them hehe
Aamir Khan was a huuuge surprise to see, I never had a clue that he had this item song/special appearance in this film????! I was really taken aback. But he danced very well!! Songs were nice too! I love the whole 'Damini Damini Damini O Meri Damini' theme.
Overall the film is simply rocking...I loved it so much. Will be watching it lots more in the future I feel because it's a film of courage, belief and honesty, and it's made with that same honesty is projects making it no wonder why it's such a good film.
Reviewed 02 August 2007
Wow!!! I didn't remember anything about this film so it was a treat watching it last night. What a fantastic movie!! Everything about it was brilliant. It's a very long film and yet never dragged and I didn't hit the skip button at any given point. The story was great and so was the screenplay. The climax of the film was brilliant but I think the judge got a bit filmi hehe they could've toned down his dialogues the slightest bit at least to make it a bit more real!
Meenakshi Sheshadri was simply outstanding!! I cannot believe that she did not win any awards for this? I haven't seen much of her as an actress to be honest but this was a very natural and convincing performance, and that too in such a tough role. I was really really really impressed by her. She did a great job! Sunny Deol is an absolute scene-stealer! His role is really short in terms of length but the power and strength it holds makes it one of the best roles an actor could wish for and Sunny's mannerisms, dialogue delivery and emotions are spot on perfect. A really natural performance and very much worthy of the award(s) he won. Loved his dialogues... be it 'dhai kilo ka haath' or 'tareeq pe tareeq'..fab dialogues!!
Rishi Kapoor didn't have much to do but did extremely well in whatever he had, as he is as we all know a brilliant and natural performer. Amrish Puri was fantastic. His eyes have so much fire in them!! It was awesome to see him and Sunny confront each other as they both have such strength in them hehe
Aamir Khan was a huuuge surprise to see, I never had a clue that he had this item song/special appearance in this film????! I was really taken aback. But he danced very well!! Songs were nice too! I love the whole 'Damini Damini Damini O Meri Damini' theme.
Overall the film is simply rocking...I loved it so much. Will be watching it lots more in the future I feel because it's a film of courage, belief and honesty, and it's made with that same honesty is projects making it no wonder why it's such a good film.
Mili [1975]
Mili
Reviewed: August 03 2007
After waiting to see this movie for years I finally got the DVD a month or so back and watched it last night. Chupke Chupke has been one of my all time favourite movies ever since I first saw it... Among Hrishikesh's other films I adore Guddi which I also saw just recently (it's a classic all the way)! The other two films I've seen made by him are Anand and Jhoot Bole Kauwa Kaate, both of which I don't think are classics like the others but they're still quite good. Anyway, so I've been trying to work my way through all of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's cinema and Mili was another step forward for me.
What did I think of it? I simply loved it! Here is a film that I wont forget any time soon, it truly leaves a deep impact with the viewer.
The story is simply fantastic. So real, simple and about human life like all of H.M's films. Screenplay is tight and gripping - after Guddi this is another film from H.M which did not drag in the least bit and kept me glued to the screen in each and every frame! It finishes so quickly (just a 2 hour film) and you wish it had gone on for a bit more. The end of the film deserves a special mention here because it took me by complete surprise. We're left wondering what happened next... In today's day and age we'd probably have a sequel thrown upon us haha but I think the cliffhanger we're left with is perfect...
Kal Ho Naa Ho? People say Karan Johar was inspired by Anand while writing his KHNH, and though I do see parts of Anand in KHNH, I would actually go as far as saying KHNH may be 30% similar to Anandbut it's actually something like 50-60% similar to Mili! I'm really surprised that Mili's name never appeared as an influence to KHNH in any of its reviews!! Hrishikesh Mukherjee had his Mili - and there Karan Johar found his Aman. Dying day by day, knowing of his/her illness but still going strong and keeping that smile fixed on his/her face. Making others around him/her smile and laugh and live life to the fullest. If Karan wrote Naina Catherine Kapur - Hrishikesh Mukherjee had already written Shekhar! Depressed and living a cynical life due to the situation one has been left in thanks to his/her father's doings. Someone finally comes into his/her life to bring happiness and a reason to live - teaching him/her how to smile!
Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Mili is a fight of human spirit. It's a pure evergreen classic and I know I will watch this film more and more over the years, it outstanding cinema at its best.
Performances by each and every actor are perfect and natural!
Jaya Bhaduri Honestly, what can I say? Every single time I see a movie of Jaya Bhaduri, I just wonder what happened to her?! Such a beautiful and natural actress... Jaya Bachchan is not a patch on Jaya Bhaduri - and I honestly don't feel anyone will go against my saying this. She was such a natural actress... she portrayed the role with such simplicity, such sweetness and she just oozed of reality - there wasn't a single moment she went overboard, there never is in any of her older performances that I've seen. Definitely, without any doubt, a performance of a lifetime!
Amitabh Bachchan Wow. The power in his eyes...the depression, the cynical attitude...everything was projected with utmost perfection! Of course, there isnt' really a surprise there because Amitabh was, is and always will be one of the most brilliant actors our cinema has ever and will ever see. His character had so many layers for him to dig his teeth into as an actor and he did a brilliant job, his performance as Shekhar was outstanding!
Ashok Kumar was outstanding as the father. He had so many fantastic scenes but the two that really took the cake were [1] when the doctor tells him that Mili's nearing her last days and [2] the night when Mili goes to him and says she wants to sleep with him 'coz she's not slept for days. A really amazing performance.
Aruna Irani looked so young and beautiful! She portrayed her role naturally. It seems like H.M was a big fan of Asrani hehe... he was really funny in his guest appearance - his scene was hilarious!
Great entertainment value, heart-touching story and a gripping screenplay makes me recommend Mili to each and every one of you out there who has not experienced her - because she'll really make you smile and make you cry!
Reviewed: August 03 2007
After waiting to see this movie for years I finally got the DVD a month or so back and watched it last night. Chupke Chupke has been one of my all time favourite movies ever since I first saw it... Among Hrishikesh's other films I adore Guddi which I also saw just recently (it's a classic all the way)! The other two films I've seen made by him are Anand and Jhoot Bole Kauwa Kaate, both of which I don't think are classics like the others but they're still quite good. Anyway, so I've been trying to work my way through all of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's cinema and Mili was another step forward for me.
What did I think of it? I simply loved it! Here is a film that I wont forget any time soon, it truly leaves a deep impact with the viewer.
The story is simply fantastic. So real, simple and about human life like all of H.M's films. Screenplay is tight and gripping - after Guddi this is another film from H.M which did not drag in the least bit and kept me glued to the screen in each and every frame! It finishes so quickly (just a 2 hour film) and you wish it had gone on for a bit more. The end of the film deserves a special mention here because it took me by complete surprise. We're left wondering what happened next... In today's day and age we'd probably have a sequel thrown upon us haha but I think the cliffhanger we're left with is perfect...
Kal Ho Naa Ho? People say Karan Johar was inspired by Anand while writing his KHNH, and though I do see parts of Anand in KHNH, I would actually go as far as saying KHNH may be 30% similar to Anandbut it's actually something like 50-60% similar to Mili! I'm really surprised that Mili's name never appeared as an influence to KHNH in any of its reviews!! Hrishikesh Mukherjee had his Mili - and there Karan Johar found his Aman. Dying day by day, knowing of his/her illness but still going strong and keeping that smile fixed on his/her face. Making others around him/her smile and laugh and live life to the fullest. If Karan wrote Naina Catherine Kapur - Hrishikesh Mukherjee had already written Shekhar! Depressed and living a cynical life due to the situation one has been left in thanks to his/her father's doings. Someone finally comes into his/her life to bring happiness and a reason to live - teaching him/her how to smile!
Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Mili is a fight of human spirit. It's a pure evergreen classic and I know I will watch this film more and more over the years, it outstanding cinema at its best.
Performances by each and every actor are perfect and natural!
Jaya Bhaduri Honestly, what can I say? Every single time I see a movie of Jaya Bhaduri, I just wonder what happened to her?! Such a beautiful and natural actress... Jaya Bachchan is not a patch on Jaya Bhaduri - and I honestly don't feel anyone will go against my saying this. She was such a natural actress... she portrayed the role with such simplicity, such sweetness and she just oozed of reality - there wasn't a single moment she went overboard, there never is in any of her older performances that I've seen. Definitely, without any doubt, a performance of a lifetime!
Amitabh Bachchan Wow. The power in his eyes...the depression, the cynical attitude...everything was projected with utmost perfection! Of course, there isnt' really a surprise there because Amitabh was, is and always will be one of the most brilliant actors our cinema has ever and will ever see. His character had so many layers for him to dig his teeth into as an actor and he did a brilliant job, his performance as Shekhar was outstanding!
Ashok Kumar was outstanding as the father. He had so many fantastic scenes but the two that really took the cake were [1] when the doctor tells him that Mili's nearing her last days and [2] the night when Mili goes to him and says she wants to sleep with him 'coz she's not slept for days. A really amazing performance.
Aruna Irani looked so young and beautiful! She portrayed her role naturally. It seems like H.M was a big fan of Asrani hehe... he was really funny in his guest appearance - his scene was hilarious!
Great entertainment value, heart-touching story and a gripping screenplay makes me recommend Mili to each and every one of you out there who has not experienced her - because she'll really make you smile and make you cry!
Khiladi [1992]
Khiladi
Reviewed: 08 August 2007
I had seen Khiladi a few times when I was younger but I didn't remember it much at all. I bought the DVD a few months back and finally got round to (re)watching it today. In my eyes Abbas-Mustan have never made a bad film. They've had films which are weaker in comparison to their others (e.g. 36 China Town) but even they've not been 'bad cinema'. Though supposedly they had directed three movies in the 80s, Khiladi (1992) was their first film to grab the tag of being a 'Blockbuster'.
Movie Preview: Raj [A.K] and Boney [D.T] are college friends who enjoy betting with each other, and Raj being the king in the field of betting doesn't know how to lose. Raj falls in love with Neelam [A.J] at first sight. The friends enjoy their college days to the fullest and are forever pulling pranks on people and betting with each other, but the problem arises when they go a tad bit too far with these innocent games, only to result in the murder of the fourth member in their group of friends - Sheetal [Sabeeha]. Everything begins to go down the drain and Raj, Boney & Neelam are faced with the toughest circumstances as they have to try and hide Sheetal's death because they know all evidence of the murder points to them!
The music of the film, composed by legendary duo Jatin-Lalit, consists of tracks which live on to be evergreen even today. Almost each of the songs was a blockbuster success.
Among the performances it's undoubtedly Akshay Kumar who steals the show. His performance is natural as ever and he looks extremely adorable too!
Deepak Tijori too leaves an impact in his parallel role. A natural performance and he excels throughout but leaves the best impression through his comic scenes.
Ayesha Jhulka impresses. She looks cute and performs very well in whatever she has to do. Sabeeha is someone I have not really seen much work of at all, but she was really good in this film and looked very pretty!
The usually sidelined Shakti Kapoor gets a good deal and justifies his role very well. It's surprising and yet so wonderful to see him in a non-perverted and instead rather sober role. Johnny Lever is good as always.
Director-duo Abbas-Mustan have always impressed me and this is no exception. Even though it's been 15 years since the release of Khiladi, the film is fresh and exciting to watch even today - thanks to the directorial brilliance of the Burmawalla brothers.
Reviewed: 08 August 2007
I had seen Khiladi a few times when I was younger but I didn't remember it much at all. I bought the DVD a few months back and finally got round to (re)watching it today. In my eyes Abbas-Mustan have never made a bad film. They've had films which are weaker in comparison to their others (e.g. 36 China Town) but even they've not been 'bad cinema'. Though supposedly they had directed three movies in the 80s, Khiladi (1992) was their first film to grab the tag of being a 'Blockbuster'.
Movie Preview: Raj [A.K] and Boney [D.T] are college friends who enjoy betting with each other, and Raj being the king in the field of betting doesn't know how to lose. Raj falls in love with Neelam [A.J] at first sight. The friends enjoy their college days to the fullest and are forever pulling pranks on people and betting with each other, but the problem arises when they go a tad bit too far with these innocent games, only to result in the murder of the fourth member in their group of friends - Sheetal [Sabeeha]. Everything begins to go down the drain and Raj, Boney & Neelam are faced with the toughest circumstances as they have to try and hide Sheetal's death because they know all evidence of the murder points to them!
The music of the film, composed by legendary duo Jatin-Lalit, consists of tracks which live on to be evergreen even today. Almost each of the songs was a blockbuster success.
Among the performances it's undoubtedly Akshay Kumar who steals the show. His performance is natural as ever and he looks extremely adorable too!
Deepak Tijori too leaves an impact in his parallel role. A natural performance and he excels throughout but leaves the best impression through his comic scenes.
Ayesha Jhulka impresses. She looks cute and performs very well in whatever she has to do. Sabeeha is someone I have not really seen much work of at all, but she was really good in this film and looked very pretty!
The usually sidelined Shakti Kapoor gets a good deal and justifies his role very well. It's surprising and yet so wonderful to see him in a non-perverted and instead rather sober role. Johnny Lever is good as always.
Director-duo Abbas-Mustan have always impressed me and this is no exception. Even though it's been 15 years since the release of Khiladi, the film is fresh and exciting to watch even today - thanks to the directorial brilliance of the Burmawalla brothers.
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