Love Aaj Kal - Mineral Water in soft drink package!

After 'Socha Na Tha', 'Jab We Met', Imtiaz Ali delivers yet another master piece with his latest stint 'Love Aaj Kal'. Its nothing other than director's ability to package same old love story in such a refreshing way that inspite its predictability, it keeps you engaged. With the ideas like Break up parties & Saif playing past of Rishi Kapoor, Imtiaz shows that there so much more to explore in age-old plot.

Story Plot:
Hmm.. There is nothing much to tell actually. Its again one girl, one boy struggles to understand their stand on their relationship. There is an impressive comparison between the current generation with some 25 years back generation. Jai, played by Saif & Meera, Played by Deepika, both break up happily (!) realising that their both goals & priorities doesn't match. As they get on with their individual lives, they start to realise its not easy to get rid of their relationship so easily. It might look very clumsy but the dialogues, screen play and wonderful acting makes the movie so special, it brings a touch of sensitivity to it.

Strengths:
1. Saif Ali Khan, has come with one if his finest performances of his career. The one scene where he yells at Deepika at how he is feeling about her marriage, he does an amazing multiple switch of emotions. Lovely to watch.

2. Imtiaz direction, I have said enough about it already.

Weakness:
1. Music could have been better. Just couple of songs are hummable not memorable.
2. Story - old wine new bottle.

If I don't spare couple of lines to Deepika, I can not stop writing. In all my previous reviews, I mentioned her just as an eye candy but this time she has learnt acting! Finally she has a role where there are few lines to deliver and she has done it in a mature way. Harleen kaur, another lead character (I do not her real name yet!), has less to showcase her talent but does justice to her role in whatever subtle scope she has.

At the end, its a refreshing and must watch movie. With not so good movies around it must make lot of bucks at box office. With his wonderful scripting and dialogues, adding enough drama,sensitivity and twist, Imtiaz Ali yet again wins the heart with his Hinglish title movie. Though another love story, packaging is what makes it so special. Without second thought in the mind its an easily 7/10 on my meter. Please watch and have fun.

Delhi 6 - A Visual treat & A Creative feast

I am not the greatest fan of Rang de Basanti, and I believe in that movie there were far too many deaths. But having said that if Rakeysh had allowed one more death in Delhi 6 then this would have been one of my all time favorites. Lets leave this thought here, but Delhi 6 is a movie with a life in it. A very well made movie, has its own flaws but has a soul as well.

Story Plot:
Roshan, played by Abhishek Bachchan returns from America to Delhi to fulfill his sick grand mother's (Waheeda Rehman) last wish of visiting Delhi. That's it. From there on the story completely revolves around a bunch of very interesting characters, their mentality, Problems, Fun, Celebration and so on. Very heart warming journey including the main character Mr.Kala bandar. The fun takes an ugly turn in second half leading to communal violence. Now the so-far-united people and their stands on this issue is what the second part portrays.
Strength:
1. The concept, creativity and the screenplay.
2. Bunch of wonderful characters.
3. A. R. Rahman's perfect score.
Weakness:
Not many actually, but to name a few -
1. Cliched Hindi film Climax, especially last couple of minutes.
2. Monologues delivered by actors in second half to force this as a message movie.
3. Inconsistent accent by Abhishek Bachchan. He has a western accent while speaking English but where as his Hindi is 'Mashalla! quite fluent'

All songs are not only great to listen but also visual treatment to all songs is just out of this world. No doubt 'Masakkali' leads the pack but the under dog song 'Dil mera...' is just too high at creativity. Sonam Kapoor, though not much scope in the movie but she is more than eye candy. Abhishek Bachchan is as usual good with his acting but other cameo roles like Atul Kulkarni, Divya Dutta, etc. are incredibly well casted! The director has complete control over the script and delivers a masterstroke with Delhi 6. Its maturity and skill of director who handles the delicate subjects with a touch of humour. Undoubtedly, one of the finest movies seen in last couple of years, and easily scores 8/10 on my scoring chart. If you need a company to watch this movie, I would like to accompany you, for the second time!

Slumdog Millionaire - Riding high on its undeserving hype!

Movies must be either entertaining or enlightening. If you can mix both then hats off to you. Slumdog, tries to do both but not good enough. On entertainment aspect you have some heart-winning performances and exceptional direction but on enlightening front, the story draws attention of ugly face of India and leaves it there. I would rather prefer movies like Swades, Rang de Basanti, Lagaan which apart from focusing on problems, makes an attempt to give some sort of way out where as 'Slumdog..' not only shows India's ugly face but also in an offending manner!!



Its Indian media's dilemma whether to appreciate the movie which is recognised at global level or to criticise! But Indian media has chosen the safe route by backing this movie which is not a great movie at any day. The message is simple - We are not ready to take on the Hollywood!



This paragraph is dedicated to Mr.Rahman. Sorry, not to appreciate but to feel sorry for him. If you list all his albums, 'Slumdog..' must be listed at bottom five. But here you go, awards and nominations are showering on him for this movie. This is indigestible! In fact I can only laugh at it. But I am trying to digest this by thinking that this is tribute to all his other albums where he might have really deserved.


But before I conclude, I must admit, the subject, the direction and the narration of the movie is pretty good. In fact no harm in watching once. The only problem is the attention, the hype its getting is something which it doesn't deserve. Yes, our country have problems. Which country does not? But that doesn't mean someone just point fingers and laugh at problems. The scene where 'Real India..' is being compared for backstabbing and robbery is just unforgivable!

Since I neither came out the movie hall feeling good nor enlightened but I am still going with 6/10 for this movie because it does have some of the moments to watch out.