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Love almighty, it's a crazy world!
MAIN PREM KI
DIWANI HOON
At Shiela and other theatres
HUGE CANVAS, arresting choreography, catchy numbers, fairy tale locales, designer wear, a good-looking cast, and no great storyline: that's what Rajshri Productions' films always bestow on their loyal audiences and manage to garner votes in their favour. This time too, with Sooraj R. Barjatya's labour of love spanning four years of vigorous shooting in New Zealand and Mauritius - after all, fairy tales cannot be picturised in Mumbai's by-lanes! - the end product is awesome. Its peppy, it's atttractive, it's gala and it even triggers some thinking.
Here, the ravishing, enviable beauty, Kareena Kapoor or Sanjana - yes, she is at her beautiful best in the film - is "papa ki pari", the apple of her father's eye and a rebellious yet loving daughter to her mother. Papa is played by scene-stealer Pankaj Kapoor while Himani Shivpuri plays a typical, orthodox mother for whom a girl's duty is to submit to her parent's desire. In a case of mistaken identity, she is made to fall for Prem - Hritik Roshan - by her parents. She is supposed to marry him because he belongs to her cast, is rich and `khandani' - the quintessential eligible bachelor. Prem, the Development Manager from the U.S. has come to Sundar Nagar, where the family lives, to inspect a site for `Prem Group of Companies' for his boss, guide, friend and philosopher - Abhishek Bachchan - whose name is also Prem. She, despite "different tastes" of the boy eventually starts loving him, for he possesses a golden heart and loves her deeply. When the real Prem arrives, her mother asks her to forget `nakli Prem' and go for `asli Prem' and forgive the parents' fault of mistaken identity.
The denouement is in traditional Bollywood style. With costumes and life styles, temporarily foot-tapping numbers by Anu Malik, the film tries to cater to metropolitan tastes. Kareena is brilliant while Hritik and Abhishek are usual, performance wise. The film is meant for those who love fairy tale locations, pulsating, vibrant choreography, adventure sports, designer wear - and don't forget digital animation - for those who prefer passion over pedigree, who can watch their daughter dancing semi-clad in college functions and those who are willing to give an audience to the young generations' expression! The times, they are changing. And then again, in Bollywood, some things never seem to change. Keep this dichotomy in mind when you try this new candy floss from the house of Rajshri.
88 ANTOP HILL
At Regal and other theatres
WE SAW the Ashok Kumar, Madhubala starrer "Mahal", a murder mystery in the late 1940s. In early reels, it was spine chilling though the last reels proved to be dragging. "Howrah Bridge" in late 1950s, "Achanak" in early 1970s and "Raaz" recently - gripping they all were, and ran to full houses for many weeks. All these films proved to be a fresh diversion from the usual mushy, sobbing family films. Kushan Nandy, the son of the famed Pritish Nandy probably tried to rewrite the rules this year with his "88 Antop Hill", his debut directorial venture, but alas! He falls flat despite two brilliant performers in the form of Rahul Dev and Atul Kulkarni. The murder mystery turns out to be a major show of special effects and screaming sounds that irritate more than they horrify.
The title of the film is the murder spot where Pratyush, a bank officer played by Atul Kulkarni, reaches to save a friend on his hoax call. The place is a hub for prostitutes. Here he meets Teesta - Shweta Menon who is murdered brutally. To escape blame he runs from the place and finally manages to nab the culprit, but inspector Arvind Khanvilkar, an honest cop proves him wrong. Violence, killing, love, passion, all are there in good measure but to what result? As in all murder mysteries, the saving grace is the unexpected ending. The only problem is that one starts to pine for the end, not due to inability to support the suspense but due to lack of quality in the making of the film.
The story quickly shifts gears resulting in loss of the focus. Rahul Dev is the saving grace of the film as he also steals the show from one and all. Atul is good. Shewta's porn touch to the film is no selling point, Jasmine's dialogue delivery is pathetic and Rajesh Roy's music is forgettable.
Watch the film if you love gruelling, shrill sounds to wake yourself up, go if you think there is nothing better to do in life.
BRUCE ALMIGHTY
At Satyam and other theatres
THINK WHAT you would do if given the seat of ultimate power - to manage the whole world. Bruce gets just that chance in this Tom Shadyac directed film. He turns God for some time. More power, more responsibility, it is not easy to manage the world. That's the moral of the film. But while he's discovering this truth, he has lots of fun and provides plenty of hearty humour for the audience. Jim Carrey as Bruce Nolan the TV reporter, plays his role with characteristic aplomb. Jennifer Aniston as Grace, the love interest is good and the actual God is played by Morgan Freeman. Tom Shadyac creates some catchy, realistic scenes within a thin storyline and manages to deliver a strong moral message without preaching.
RANA A. SIDDIQUI
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