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Reviews
Anjaam (1994)
Powerful
I didn't like this film initially, because it IS rather violent in the second half. The only thing I did like from the start was the "Badi Mushkil Hai" song, which is absolutely great. And the unpredictable ending. I didn't like it per se, story-wise, just the fact that there are all these twists. I was kinda hoping for redemption and stuff... though I knew that it would have been implausible after everything that had happened.
I re-watched the film and it strangely grew on me. It's now among my favorites because of its complexity. It's really interesting from the psychological point of view. Did Vijay love Shivani or was it pure whim? I think the latter... Was Vijay really nuts and psychotic or just spoiled rotten? Shivani insists that he's just an idiot but Shahrukh definitely played him as not quite normal. How is it that he manages to evoke sympathy even for such a diabolical character? Was Shivani at least partly to be blamed for what happened to her? I'd never think so (the "blame the victim" attitude) but the lyrics in the "Chane Ke Khet Mein" song are a bit strange. And then those words she says to her sister at the beginning of the film: "Don't blame the fate. Sometimes a person can lose their life because of one wrong step". (don't remember the correct phrasing) I basically think it was the combination of unfortunate circumstances and her "no-nonsense, stand up for oneself" character.
The film is full of foreshadowing, subtext, and I liked its stance on the position of women.
So... SRK is brilliant, Madhuri is brilliant, songs are great, there aren't many unnecessary scenes (I actually love Johnny Lever here, ... singing "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein" from Baazigar). It's a really interesting and powerful movie.
Josh (2000)
Love it a lot
I really liked Josh. There's not a boring minute in it.
Shahrukh as Max is extremely charismatic and sexy. Aish is very nice in the role of an ordinary girl with minimum make-up. Chandrachur Singh's character, Rahul, was a great contrast to Max's predatory nature, providing the moral for the story, and Chandrachur fits the role to perfection with his kind and intelligent face. The characters of Rosanna and her pudgy boyfriend also added to the story. To cut it short, I loved all the characters and loved the setting.
I'd say the film has its own atmosphere and just transports you into this provincial city of Vasco where the two gangs, Eagles and Bicchoos (Scorpions) are vying for domination. It's all very colorful since it's in Goa and the songs are great. So I highly recommend it -- you'll not be bored.
Ram Jaane (1995)
Great movie, actually
Surprisingly, it's become one of my favorites. Yes, it's really quite uneven and over-the-top in places but it has this very human core and philosophy that won me over... I cried quite a bit. Ram Jaane is not afraid of death... at all. And that's why he evokes so much pity.
I thought Shahrukh really shined in this one. I too thought at first that he was overacting, but really, it's the character. He's supposed to be like this... Quite unhinged... a bit loud, a bit over-the-top and all over the place. But also carefree, simple, lovable, soft and smiling. And why not? Why always think in stereotypes based on Hollywood films that such a character should be more restrained and cool? I thought SRK created a really unique and memorable character. As he always does. All his "baddies" are different. Watch "Josh" for the "cool" one.
Ram Jaane is a whole other story... SRK was plain brilliant in some scenes... many scenes. For example, the one where he learns that Bela loves Murli and not him, and asks Bela what it is that Murli has and he doesn't, and turns away hiding tears.
Juhi is very beautiful and charming as usual. Since I've recently watched quite a few of her and SRK's films and really loved them ("Yes Boss" being the favorite), Juhi is fast becoming one of my favorite actresses, along with Rani, Kajol and Madhuri.
Vivek Mushran as Murli was perfect. I really liked his character.
And last but not least -- the music is great. I listen to the songs quite often and like them all: Ram Jaane, Chori Chori Chal O Gori, Ala la la long Pehla Love Song, and Phenk Hawa Ek Chumma Mein. They may not seem great at first but after a listening to them a few times they really grew on me.
All in all, technically speaking, this film is not a masterpiece but since it's really endeared itself to my heart, I'd give it 9/10. For SRK's acting, for the story, for the music, and for the scorching chemistry with Juhi. I'd choose this over many SRK hits that are better known, like Don or Kal Ho Naa Ho or Mohabbatein or Dil To Pagal Hai or whatever.
English Babu Desi Mem (1996)
Touching movie
OK, so I heard this film mentioned as not one of the best in Shahrukh's filmography but quite unexpectedly, I enjoyed it. It starts a bit unevenly, takes some time to finally get to the story but then the story unfolds quite smoothly.
The best things about this movie are Sonali Bendre and the boy. Well, and Shahrukh, of course, but Sonali and the boy are sort of the focus of the story. Sonali is very beautiful and can really emote quite well. She is very charming and likable, as is her character. The boy was adorable and moved me to tears in a couple of scenes.
Yes, one reason for which I liked this film was that it was actually very touching and heartfelt in several scenes. It's a wee bit naive and innocent but I like that. Most of all, it's simple and honest. Anyway, one thing this film is not -- it's not boring, which is what I hate most of all in a movie. The story is quite solid, there are drama and conflict, which to me seemed realistic enough. There are flaws, of course, but, really, I had expected something much worse.
Shahrukh doesn't do all that much (except being great as usual) but he definitely added to the poignancy of the situation. His interaction with the boy was very cute and touching and I probably wouldn't feel half so much if it weren't for him. As a matter of fact, I only watched it as part of going through SRK's filmography.
Yes Boss (1997)
Adorable
I just love it. It's funny and feel-good, but also very touching, heartwarming and heartfelt in quite a few scenes. Lots of close-ups, which is nice. I loved the scene where Rahul and Seema sit on the porch and the tipsy Seema inadvertently jabs Rahul in the eye and then blows softly at his face to relieve his pain. It's so sweet -- those close-ups of them, and you see that she starts to realize her love for him. Aziz Mirza has become one of my favorite directors because of these sweet touches, romantic and realistic at the same time, that he puts in his films. And there are other such lovely scenes sprinkled throughout the movie.
The ending is just hilarious, I appreciated it a lot. And what can be better than a wet, sweaty, bloody SRK fighting for his love? In the "fluffy romantic comedy with a message" category I'd give it a 10, and I only gave it 9 because I didn't like the first half when I watched it for the first time. Somehow, it seemed a bit boring. But then things picked up in the second half and I loved the ending as I said. When I watched the movie for the second time, I loved all of it, every single scene. I've got this problem -- I usually don't notice the music the first time round. And because Hindi is not my native language I couldn't understand what they were singing about, so the music numbers seemed a bit boring at first. Then I listened to the songs again, checked out the lyrics and translations on the net and I absolutely love all of them now, particularly Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaaon, Ek Din Aap, Chand Taare, well, really, all of them! They just lift my mood invariably.
I find I really like SRK's 90-s films, though I was very wary of them at first. Though not as slick and glossy as those of the 2000s, those films had a sort of innocence and a lot of heart to them. Or it's just my nostalgia and shahrukhism, I really don't know.
Chalte Chalte (2003)
Beautiful mix of romance and drama
I absolutely adore this movie! I've noticed that films produced by Shah Rukh himself tend to end up in my TOP-10 list -- Asoka, Main Hoon Na. And the same happened with Chalte Chalte -- it's definitely one of my favorites now, right up there with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and DDLJ, if not better.
I really love the SRK--Rani jodi. They both gave great performances and looked really convincing and sweet as a couple. I was so rooting for Raj and Priya to be happy and together in this film that the viewing turned into a very emotional experience for me, which I didn't expect at all, having read some rather lukewarm reviews.
Rani looks absolutely stunning (well, as usual) and very feminine. Shah Rukh oozes charm and charisma in a really complex role. I personally just loved his character -- with all his flaws and insecurities. Together they are just way too cute.
I liked how realistic and unpretentious this film was, liked the drama in the second half, loved the music and all the songs. They are all outstanding.
Overall, I think it was a very well made film that really endeared itself to my heart. Not one boring scene (except for the very beginning -- I really thought that subplot could have been done away with), and Johnny Lever was great -- hilarious in most scenes (in an unusual role), serious and adding to the drama in others.
I'm just grateful that this film exists.