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Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
The new generation of Bollywood-filmmakers...
Expecting `Kal Ho Naa Ho' (''Tomorrow May Never Come'') being the best movie of the year 2003 gives you certain anticipations that have to be accomplished. One might ask how `Dharma Productions' is again able to live up to the viewer's expectations and with `Kal Ho Naa Ho' I feel they have come up with the best implemented movie so far. Emotional entertainers like `Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and `Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' have given Bollywood another new face but after the release of 2001 critical acclaimed Super-Chill-Hit `Dil Chahta Hai' a new generation of Bollywood-filmmaking has been launched. Farhan Akhtar's imposing storytelling has inspired lots of writers and directors to follow this new created path. Karan Johar (story & screenplay) as well as Nikhil Advani (director) have obeyed successfully this new way or even surpassed it by assembling the typical Karan Johar-touch to it; this film is more than a `Dil Chahta Hai'-copy. But unquestioned it's evident they tried to recreate a `Dil Chahta Hai'-magic with involving Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (Koi Kahe Kehta' DCH & It's Time To Disco' KHNH) to compose the score while Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan (his character Rohit' resembles a lot to Sameer' from DCH) are also part of the main cast.
The story center Naina Catherine Kapur (Preity Zinta) and her family problems which emerge after a tragic incidence. Since this occurrence her life has become cold, grey and dull which is eminent reflected by New York City at winter. Entering Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan) dark clouds seem to allow some sunshine in the lives of the Kapur's. Helping others to solve their problems, face life's little challenges Aman has all the answers. In fact he is the angel the family has prayed for
Although Naina is not willing to let Aman interfere in her problems, his dedication to her family makes her falling in love with him. Hence the smile that has already died has returned on her lips. Due to Aman's secret heart-disease he is not in the position to return his love to her though doesn't want her to become the old grey Naina again. Rohit (Saif Ali Khan), a crony Naina's, who privily has feelings for her, should return Aman's love allusively. According to this Aman is helping Rohit to win Naina's love (great work by Nikhil and Karan with the `Six Day Plan'). As soon as everything seems to have turned out well, Aman's illness has been unintentional revealed
Aman however never dies and stays immortal forever, as the angel who has answered their prayers
Johar's screenplay has been written very well and his mergence between comical and dramatic situations (e.g. the `Sardar'-scene with the two `Bhagat Singhs') is remarkable. The `Ghalat Ghar'-sequence for example exhibits Karan Johar's talent in writing delightful comic scenes. The transitions between these scenes are excellent. During the second half of the film the screenplay looses its pace and it's getting more emotional and dramatic though at parts it ties in with the tempo (introduction of Rohit's parents and Camilla followed by Aman's `Six Day Plan') of the first half. Admittedly the last scene which takes place 20 years later is unessential and examines the viewer's patience. One of the best parts of `Kal Ho Naa Ho' is the dialogues written by Niranjan Iyengar. They are poignant, funny, and therefore very memorable and have been borne excellently by all performers.
Aman Mathur's character is absolutely suitable for Shah Rukh Khan and thus there is no actor in this industry who could have done justice to this role. Yet it's not alike his roles in `Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' or `Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' as his character demanded to be more rude and arrogant. Still he has the charming factor which makes him to be the darling of the public. I would rate this performance among his memorable ones in the league of `Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', `Dil Se..', `Hey!Ram!', `Asoka'
. Saif Ali Khan's appearance resembles a lot to his performance (as mentioned above) in `Dil Chahta Hai'. He is incredibly good in his comic timing and shares a good chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan as these are potentially the best scenes of the picture. Preity Zinta has definitively delivered her best performance as an actress since her debut in Mani Rathnam's `Dil Se
'. She personates Naina Kapur marvellously. Jennifer Kapur has been one of the few characters that were portrayed differently by Jaya Bachchan. Her energy she has put in her role can be noticed clearly and consequently abounds with a great performance. Satish Shah and Lillette Dubey are incredibly funny. Reema Lagoo as Aman's mother leaves an impressing effect. Coming to the point of the execution of the screenplay Nikhil Advani is a great rediscovery for Indian film industry. After Farhan Akhtar in 2001 and Shaad Ali in 2002, it's Nikhil Advani who has joined the new generation of filmmakers. Effects like `Split-screening' or the frames which have been used during the credits weren't utilized yet in Indian cinema consequently. The movie's start is also very incredible and never seen before in Bollywood as the voice-over technique has been used differently. Important characters are introduced getting a whiff of their all-day lives. One is much irritated and overwhelmed by the start that you might miss out some funny dialogues. Just for that reason one has to watch this film twice!
Anil Mehta, cinematographer from hit-films like `Lagaan', `Saathiya' or `Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', captures views of New York City beautifully. Watch out for the title song! His shots in setting sun are gorgeous.
Editing is superb and contributes to the celerity of the film. A classic way of expressing the character's feelings which has been used mostly in literature in the time of `Storm and Stress' can be retrieved. Before Aman Mathur's entry the story takes place in a cold winter location in New York. It's even snowing but abruptly sun enters when Aman Mathur is introduced to the characters. It's raining when Naina finds out that Aman is married. A heavy wind is blowing when it emerges that Aman is dying and after his demise it's snowing again (20 years further). Concerning the music `Kal Ho Naa Ho' features some fresh catchy numbers. `Pretty woman', a remake of Roy Orbison's song, breathed on with a Bhangra touch has been choreographed well. Very nice song but some parts of the tune has reminded me of an A.R. Rahman Tamil song from a Rajnikanth-Film `Baba' (Tippu Tippu Kumari), also sung by Shankar Mahadevan. `It's Time to Disco' that tries to tie up to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's disco-number from `Dil Chahta Hai' is unnecessary and not much thrilling. `Kuch To Hua Hai' is a lovely song that should illustrate a situation when you are falling in love. It's been shot very charming with New Yorkers involved. `Kal Ho Naa Ho' is an inevitable song which has to be in the movie giving the viewers a break after fast paced scenes and to reflect about the lyrics. A lonesome man in the busiest city of the world telling to live every moment because this could be your last instant, a tomorrow may not be! This song ditto gives you an insight of Aman Mathur's feelings; to be in Rohit's skin for one day
. `Mahi Ve' is a characteristic Karan Johar-song that features about 100 dancers at an Indian function wrapped up with the energy of `Say Shava Shava' and `Bole Chudiyan'. The background score is proper to the situations, the beautiful theme music occurs throughout the film in several different versions.
On the whole `Kal Ho Naa Ho' is a very well-made movie which surfaces at the right time when Bollywood is undergoing a change. This film has assuredly the ability to keep up with big Hollywood movies as it has everything like awesome comedy, great emotions, fantastic performers and a pulchritudinous story that should even be enjoyed by Western viewers. To label this film as a typical Bollywood-kitsch-movie would be a pure underrating. Needless to say this is a Bollywood-film but one of the new generation...
9.5/10
Saathiya (2002)
SAATHIYA OR ALAI PAYUTHEY?
Remakes, remakes and remakes. Some from Hollywood and some from South India. And the results at the box-office are mostly the same. FLOP! But why? Because these remakes can't achieve the status of the original versions (although good story, good performances or good music). Therefore directors are remaking their own films in Hindi but are failing, as well, because there is too much South Indian touch (Nayak Mudhalvan; Rehna Tere Dil Main Minnale; Dil Hi Dil Mein Kadhal Dhinam; Doli Sajake Rakhna Aniathiypravu etc.).
Saathiya, a Mani Ratnam creation, is a great movie. The film's strength is that it is suitable to North Indian milieu but fails to reach the quality that `Alai Payuthey' spread.
So where is its weakness then? Vivek Oberoi? Certainly not! It's a difficult job to top Madhavan's great performance in `Alai Payuthey'. Vivek won where Madhavan failed.
Rani Mukherji then? She portrayed her character, Suhani Sharma, completely different as her counterpart Shalini did in the original version. Both were great and for me difficult to say who was the better one.
So A.R. Rahman? He was the one who gave the wonderful scent to `Alai Payuthey' which you won't forget so easily. The songs and the background score which is filled with soulful tunes are absolutely great. It's one of Rahman's best works and he knows that he can't top it. As a result he didn't bring too many new songs which would destroy his early work. His new songs are nice to hear and fit to the North Indian milieu. The orchestra in the climax where Vivek apologizes to Rani is absolutely mind-blowing.
Gulzar then? I must admit that I don't understand Hindi and not much Tamil (thanks to English-subtitling) but the songs have good meanings and are as good as Vairamuthu's work for `Alai Payuthey'.
Perhaps Shah Rukh Khan and Tabu? Shah Rukh Khan is fantastic in his 10 minutes and portrayed the role differently as Arwind Swamy did. Tabu is unfortunately not as good as Khushboo who has done a superb job in Tamil.
But where is then the problem? It's certainly unfair to compare a youngster's work like Shaad Ali's with that one of a genius like Mani Ratnam's. Ali's direction is very good and is the best debutant director since Farhan Akhtar for Dil Chahta Hai. But small scenes which might be unnecessary are missing to achieve a very good quality. For example, in Saathiya `Aditya' has no one whom he can tell all his sorrows and lands up as a depressed husband. `Karthik' in Alai Payuthey talks with his Malayalee neighbour/houseowner (in Hindi Tinnu Anand) about love, marriage etc. and gets new hopes to set a new beginning in his marriage. The climax also in Tamil which has a more realistic look is better than in Hindi which is too filmy despite Vivek's performance and Rahman's orchestra. A clear parallel between Shah Rukh Khan/Tabu and Vivek Oberoi/Rani Mukherji could not been attained, as well.
But Ali has given the film a more youthful look than Mr Ratnam has done (more hanging out with friends, parties etc.) and like mentioned before, a suitable film to North Indian audiences and it is a film that is worth watching (though not as good as `Alai Payuthey').
Alai Payuthey 9.5/10; Saathiya 8.5/10
Asoka (2001)
A Majestic Epic On The Scale Of Gladiator and Braveheart
It is not only one of the best movies of the year, it is probably one of the best movies which has ever been produced in India. Definite a film every Indian has to be proud of because with this picture (and of course with 'Lagaan') India can lose their bad image in Hollywood.
It is a big film with great music(Anu Malik and Sandeep Chowta-Background Score), an inimitable cinematography and beautiful sets (Sabu Cyril). Santhosh Sivan's direction is also very good and I liked the ending very much. But I think the weak point is Shah Rukh Khan. I am not saying that he has given an awful performance, no, he really did a good job turning from good 'Asoka' to evil 'Asoka'(I liked his performance in this movie). The problem, I see, is that we don't see King Asoka, we only see Shah Rukh on screen who is playing King Asoka. I think actors like Kamala Haasan(watch his perfomance in 'Hindustani' and 'Hey Ram!'), Amitabh Bachchan(in his younger years) or Mammooty(South Indian Superstar, Winner of five National Awards(!!)) would have done a superb performance, in my opinion. The audience don't want to see Shah Rukh in these kind of roles(Tell me one Action-Hit-Film, except 'Koyla', SRK starrs in!), they love him in 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge','Dil To Pagal Hai','Kuch Kuch Hota Hai','Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' etc.. That could be one of the reasons why Asoka failed at the box-office in India. Kareena(Karriena?) Kapoor has given a very good performance. She really deserves an award for it. Other actors like Rahul Dev, Ajith Kumar etc. were good, as well, but I think Johny Lever's character was unimportant for the film. I also don't have to talk about the realization of the war scenes at the climax. They deserve a 10 out of 10(Super Sham Kaushal!) It is a great film that would have chances to be nominated for an Oscar but 'Lagaan' was better again ;-).
Pushpaka Vimana (1987)
Great Comedy, Great Kamal Haasan, Great Film
This is the best comedy-film I've seen ever(Hollywood and Bollywood). This film deserves an award and Kamal Haasan, as well, who acted great for me. The story, I think, is easy to understand for everybody everywhere. A must to see!!!!
Mard (1985)
Excellent
This movie is really great. It is a picture where Amitabh can show that he is very good in Action Movies , too. The performance he shows is great (which one isn't it?). The theme of this film is good, as well. A movie for Amitabh Fans who also loves his Action movies. Just watch it and make your own picture of the film.
Thalavattam (1986)
One of Mohanlal best performances
One of Mohanlal best performances as an actor. Those films made him to a superstar in India, especially in Kerala. This film by Pryadarshan shows that Mohanlal is a very talented actor. The film is a proof that he can put comedy and seriousness in one character. In this movie Mohanlal plays a mad person who is taken to a mental institution. There he gets to know a young doctor, played by Karthika, who does know why he becomes mad. Thus she feels sympathy for him and a little romance has started. But her father (Soomen) who is the medical superintendent of the institution is against that, because her marriage with Hari (Mukesh) is planed. One day Vinod becomes like a normal ordinary person, but Savrithia's father has a dirty plan... A must to see for every Mohanlal fan.