Showing posts with label Shahrukh Khan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shahrukh Khan. Show all posts

Thursday, February 11, 2010

My Name Is Khan - Movie Review

Read more! Cast :: Shahrukh Khan ,Kajol,Soniya Jehan,Jimmy Shergill

MY NAME IS KHAN makes two strong statements...

The first: B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (after death) are designations used to label years in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. There's a third designation now - 9/11. Post September 11, the world stands divided. Terrorist outfits continue to strike in the name of religion and the common man, not even remotely associated with these groups, is bearing the brunt. The world is not a safe place anymore.

The second statement: There're two sets of people in this world - the good and the bad. No matter how strong the evil forces are, good always triumphs.

MY NAME IS KHAN mirrors the era we live in. Not a day goes by when you haven't heard/read/watched news of terror attacks and innocents being killed. We live in turbulent times. Also, the movie states - and states very strongly, without mincing words - Not all Muslims are terrorists.

Karan Johar's cinema got more real from KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA onwards. In MY NAME IS KHAN, the storyteller attempts to make a social statement and succeeds completely. At the same time, it takes no sides. If the protagonist says 'My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist', it also exposes those who misadvise the youth with inflammatory and rabble-rousing speeches.

Karan's take on the issue deserves the highest praise, since a subject like this is difficult to attempt. Final word? MY NAME IS KHAN is Karan, SRK and Kajol's best outing to date. Do I need to add anything more?

Rizvan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan)moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother (Jimmy Shergill) and sister-in-law (Sonya Jehan). Rizvan, who has Asperger's syndrome, falls in love with Mandira (Kajol). Despite protests from his brother, they get married and start a small business together. They are happy until September 11, when attitudes towards Muslims undergo a sea-change.

When tragedy strikes, Mandira is devastated and they split. Rizvan is confused and upset that the love of his life has left him. To win her back, he embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across America.

Let me alert you. The story unfolds feverishly from the very start itself. So if you miss a scene or two, chances are you would've missed some vital links in the story. The fact is, there's too much happening in the first half. Although the narrative tends to get leisurely-paced at times, the wheels continue to move from one episode to another.

A number of sequences are endearing. For instance, the romance between SRK and Kajol is subtle, yet charming. But it's SRK's relationship with Kajol and their kid that's one of the best parts of the movie. Your heart bleeds when an accident occurs and their lives are torn apart. Kajol's outburst - first, when her son meets with a catastrophe and second, when she confronts SRK - are truly shattering.

MY NAME IS KHAN's strength lies in the fact that you root for Khan all through. At the same time, you are weighed down when he's in a vulnerable situation, especially when he's labelled a terrorist and thrown behind bars. You don't realize it, but the fact is that you, as a spectator, have already got entwined in Rizvan and Mandira's lives.

There's a slight hitch in the second hour, when SRK returns to Georgia to save a hurricane-ravaged hamlet. Also, the media exercise tends to add to the length of the film. Nonetheless, it's a minor hiccup that doesn't rob the film of its punch.

There's just one word to illustrate Karan's direction - exemplary. One of the finest storytellers of our generation, he deserves brownie points for deviating from 'Karan Johar brand of cinema' and attempting a film that knocks on your heart and stimulates your mind. With MY NAME IS KHAN, Karan takes rapid strides as a storyteller.

Shibani Bathija's screenplay is truly arresting. Shibani and Niranjan Iyengar's dialogues are noteworthy and at times, applaud-worthy. Ravi K. Chandran's cinematography is awe-inspiring. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music gels well with the nature of the film.

When a film stars two of the finest talents of the country, you expect nothing but the best. SRK, well, how does one describe his performance? To state that this is his best work so far would be cutting short the praise he truly deserves. In fact, no amount of praise can do sufficient justice to his portrayal of Rizvan Khan , who has Asperger's syndrome. His latest work is several notches above anything he has done before. The only compliment that I can think of is, SRK has a new screen-name now. Raj is passe, Rizvan it is.

Kajol is pure dynamite and casting her for this character was the most appropriate decision. No other actress could've matched SRK in histrionics the way Kajol has. In fact, SRK and Kajol compliment each other wonderfully well and this film only proves it yet again. It's a powerhouse performance from this supremely talented actress.

The film boasts of a number of capable actors, but the ones who leave a rock-solid impact are - in this order - Zarina Wahab, Sonya Jehan, Jimmy Shergill, Arjun Mathur, Parvin Dabas and Arif Zakaria. Sugandha Garg is confident. Navneet Nishan supports well. Vinay Pathak leaves a mark in a brief role. Tanay Chheda (young SRK) and Yuvaan Makaar (SRK and Kajol's son Sameer) are excellent. The American actors, especially the kid who plays Sameer's friend, deserves mention.

On the whole, MY NAME IS KHAN is a fascinating love story, has an angle of religion and a world-shaking incident as a backdrop. It not only entertains, but also mesmerises, enthrals and captivates the viewer in those 2.40 hours. At the same time, a film like MY NAME IS KHAN is sure to have a far-reaching influence due to its noble theme. I strongly advocate, don't miss this one!

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Saturday, January 9, 2010

Dulha Mil Gaya - Movie Review

Read more! Cast:: Fardeen Khan,Sushmita Sen,Shahrukh Khan,Mohir Chadda,Tara Sharma,Johny Lever,Bina Kak,Suchitra Pillai,Viveck Vaswani,Howard Rosemeyer,Parikshat Sahni,Anushka Manchanda

DULHA MIL GAYA is a mix of films. Like they say in filmi lingo, it's old wine in new bottle. So what? How different can a love story be, since this genre has been done to death in Bollywood? Point noted, but the narrative ought to be engaging if it has to strike a chord and that's where DULHA MIL GAYA falters.

Merely assembling A-listers and filming the movie at panoramic locations isn't enough. The film ought to have meat and that's missing here.

Let me elaborate. Debutante director Mudassar Aziz, who has also penned the script, borrows from the past, going for the tried-and-tested stuff, but the narrative, already low on fuel, comes to a grinding halt by the time it reaches its finale.

Donsai [Fardeen Khan], a young commitment-phobic debonair, is petrified with terms like marriage and long-term relationships. Samarpreet [Ishita Sharma] is a quintessential Punjabi girl, for whom relationships are to be cherished.

Shimmer [Sushmita Sen] is a diva from the world of glamour for whom love and relationships aren't important in life as independence and success are. Pawan Raj Gandhi/PRG [Shah Rukh Khan] is a suave multi-millionaire whose heart still remains larger than his bank balance and for whom winning love is the only victory there is.

When paths cross for these four characters, they not only land up influencing each other with their outlook on relationships, but also get influenced themselves and learn a whole new meaning of the term.

Something that got ignited with D.D.L.J. continues to shimmer to this date. Our stories continue to travel from firangi land to the fields of Punjab. DULHA MIL GAYA too does that [initially], beforeMY FAIR LADY and RAB NE BANA DI JODI take over.

To give the credit where it's due, DULHA MIL GAYA has some interesting moments, but the problem is they are few and far between. One expects things to perk up when SRK's character is introduced [in the post-interval portions], but your hopes go crashing as nothing worthy of note occurs.

The writing has gaping flaws, which are difficult to absorb after a point. The girl travels all the way from Punjab to Trinidad and Tobago, but not once do her concerned parents call to enquire how she is. Strangely, even the girl doesn't feel the need to inform them. If that's not enough, Sushmita takes upon herself to tame Fardeen, giving you the impression that she thinks from her heart. But when it comes to her relationship with Shah Rukh, she behaves in a rather odd manner. SRK, on the other hand, seems completely besotted by her, even though she never reciprocates his feelings. Hence, her somersault in the end - just because Ishita has given her some bhashan - doesn't look convincing.

Mudassar Aziz's direction is a shade better than his writing. And that's not saying much. Given the fact that newer stories are being attempted in these fast-changing times and in view of the fact that he had some of the best talents on board, Mudassar should've seized the opportunity and told a refreshingly different and absorbing tale. But he doesn't. Sure, a few sequences are clever and smart, but that's not enough.

The music is of a mixed variety. 'Akela Dil' is groovy, while the title track is strictly okay. Cinematography is appealing.

Sushmita excels in a role that demands her to be hoity-toity. She enacts her part effortlessly. One wishes to see her more often on the big screen! Fardeen does a good job, especially towards the end when he's about to confess something vital to Ishita. Ishita delivers a sincere performance. It's a pity that a superstar like Shah Rukh is terribly wasted in an inconsequential role. It may not go down well with his fans.

Mohit Chadha has screen presence, but gets no scope. Johny Lever is wasted. Ditto for Tara Sharma. Suchitra Pillai and Howard Rosemeyer are passable. Parikshit Sahni, Bina Kak and Viveck Vaswani are as usual.

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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

My Name Is Khan - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Shahrukh Khan ,Kajol,Soniya Jehan,Jimmy Shergill

Sufi being the flavor of most Muslim centric movies Dharma Productions My Name is Khan - a movie based on Muslims in the US sticks to it. The lyrics, vocals and the music blend perfectly to give some good Sufi tunes and with Sufi tunes you seldom go wrong with the listener. SEL do throw in some well disguised rock elements throughout, hence making their presence go unnoticed.

My Name Is Khan is Karan Johar’s latest flick starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. With this movie Karan Johar has bought back one of the most favorite on-screen Bollywood couples, of course King Khan and Kajol. My Name Is Khan has already made it to the news with it’s expensive worldwide rights being sold for a whopping amount. The music for My Name Is Khan has been composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, another Karan Johar favorite since Kal Ho Na Ho I believe. The My Name Is Khan promo was aired simultaneously on all Star network channels across the nation. The film is set to release worldwide come February 2010. For now let’s take a look at how the film’s soundtrack sounds like.

All Karan Johar movies have a special something in their soundtracks. Karan, I believe, understands how important a Bollywood soundtrack is and each time he personally makes sure there’s something in it for the millions of Bollywood lovers out there. In Bollywood if you’ll watch a movie or not, a lot of that also depends on how the particular movie’s soundtrack turns out. There have been times when simply good music took me to a theater to watch a crappy movie. Then there have been times when I made myself skip a movie due to a poor soundtrack. Does My Name Is Khan live up to the hype?

Sajda
The soundtrack begins with Sajda featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Richa Sharma and Shakar Mahadevan. Now those are three very powerful names on a song’s credit listing. Sajda has a qawali feel to it. The music has Shankar Ehsaan Loy written all over it. It’s simple yet effective. And so are the lyrics. A pretty decent enough start to My Name Is Khan’s soundtrack. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan makes it all worthwhile for me!

Noor-E-Khuda
The second song Noor-E-Khuda has been sung by Shankar Mahadevan, Adnan Sami and Shreya Goshal. They’ve got some good money spent on good singers. Karan Johar knows how important a Bollywood soundtrack is. Noor-E-Khuda is a slow, serious track with a motivational touch to it. I can almost imagine Shah Rukh crying all over the screen on this track. Eeew! Another decent enough track, you’ll love it the second time you listen to it.

Tere Naina
Just when I thought they were done with the big names, here comes Shafqat Amanat Ali with Tere Naina. Tere Naina is a soft romantic song that might be pictured on Shah Rukh and Kajol. A lot of their fans are really looking forward to it. Tere Naina’s got that qawali touch to it as well. The music is simple again and so are the lyrics. Right from the first track I can make out the extensive use of the tabla, claps and harmonium. This one passes the test as well!

Allah Hi Rahem
Allah Hi Rahem has been sung by Rashid Khan. Ustad Rashid Khan you mean? Well well well! My Name Is Khan’s soundtrack is gotta be a special one. Nothing commercial in it as yet. Zilch! Don’t look for a It’s Time to Disco here, Shankar Ehsaan Loy have dedicated the music right to the film’s core values and topics. Allah Hi Rahem touches your heart in a way. It’s a brilliant sufi track.

Khan Theme
Oh well it’s a theme what can I say? *giggling*

Rang De
Oh wait! Here’s a commercial track. Rang De, sung by Shankar Mahadevan, is the only track on the heavier side of commercialism. Rang De is a song that asks for peace all over. I however feel it’s a pretty ordinary track. The only loose string in the entire My Name Is Khan soundtrack. The track may appeal to a few of you but I think after such a good soundtrack this is just not acceptable.

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01 - Sajda@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Monday, December 14, 2009

Dulha Mil Gaya - Music Review

Read more! Cast:: Fardeen Khan,Sushmita Sen,Shahrukh Khan,Mohir Chadda,Tara Sharma,Johny Lever,Bina Kak,Suchitra Pillai,Viveck Vaswani,Howard Rosemeyer,Parikshat Sahni,Anushka Manchanda

Dulha Mil Gaya Music Album is surprisingly a super hit album with not even a single dull track. Features the major acclaimed singers including Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghosal, Daler Mehndi and many others. Each song is equally good and the lyrics are worked upon well, although some songs might remind you of something similar heard before. But neverthless, the music directors - Lalit Pandit deserve special recognition.

This one is a voluminous album and the first track to come is 'Akela Dil' that has a groove similar to that of 'Gela Gela Dil Gela Gela' (Aitraaz). An unmistakable calypso rhythm is on the fore front here too, given the fact that the film is set in the Caribbean. Adnan Sami gets into an intoxicated and relaxed mood as per the demand of the situation and gets his own lazy style in place to sing 'Akela Dil' that has Anushka Manchanda giving able support. This is a kind of track that should add on to the visual appeal of the film. It's 'remix version' adds on the zing and should find a place in the clubs and discotheques.

Shiri farhad tu meri shiri is sung by the energetic Neeraj Shridhar but even he cannot salvage this banal song. Next, please!

Dulha mil gaya has shades of Mar jaani and is a watered-down version of that song. If you were wondering where Daler Mehndi was all along, he is back and infuses an unmatched energy into this song. It is catchy and can become quite popular especially because of the wedding season. It isn’t a memorable track, however!

Dilrubaon ke jalwe is a qawalli and an attempt to recreate SRK and Sush’s chemistry from Tumse milke from Main Hoon Na. You don’t want to stick around till it is over.

1. Akela Dil
The album opens with Akela dil sung by Anushka and Adnan Sami, both wasted in the tuneless, wannabe hip-hop track that goes on forever. Everything in the song seems forced! The incessant clapping, guitar tunes and ‘nanana’ get on your nerves.A song by Adnan Sami, very similar to one of the songs from the film ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ in terms of music and the way he sang it. But still very entertaining.

2. Aaja Aaja Mera Ranjhna
Aaja mera ranjhana is your typical 90's wedding song. You can even imagine the red and gold costumes everyone will wear and their dance moves. It brings back memories of Saajan ji ghar aaye from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Listen to that instead.

3. Magar Meri Jaan
Magar meri jaan sounds like something you’ve heard before which is why it is tolerable. It tries too hard to be upbeat and rapturous. Song features Sonu Nigam, with that said the song already claims to be a hit. The slow notes are mesmerizing as compared to main stanza (mukhra) of this song which is just OK. Salsa themed ‘Magar Meri Jaan’ is contemporary time pass song. Anushka Manchanda, the singer does an exceptional job.

4. Tu Jo Jaan Le
Tu jo jaan le is the standard Sonu Nigam song. The piano and guitars are pretty good and Sonutakes the song a few notches higher.

5. Rang Diya Dil
Rang diya dil is the kind of Amrita Rao would be part of. Imagine a girl waiting in the village for her lover and praying to the moon. So it is typical and very 90's. We have heard this type of songs, way too many times in the times but no credits snatched from the singer Shreya Ghosal. Her voice adds a wonderful feel to this song.

6. Dulha Mil Gaya
Daler Mehndi is back with another super hit. Lyrics seems to be out, straight from his heart. Total dance party track.

7. Dilrubaon Ke Jalwe
The effort that went to this song is tremendous. All thanks to lyrics writer and singers for giving us a classic qawwali themed song.

8. Shiri Farhad Tu Meri Shiri
Not want to criticize this song about being another duplicate. But the resemblance cannot be ignored.

Remixes
Out of the 3 Remixes only the ‘Dilrubaon Ke Jalwe’ looks genuinely worked upon. Rest are just fast paced songs with non matching music.


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01 - Akela Dil - Dulha Mil Gaya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com






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