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Reviews
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
Mindblowing
I found KANK riveting from the first moment to the last. The theme is one which has been used before in Indian movies but this one makes it seem an entirely new venture. The treatment is fresh and witty. There is a wonderful mix of clever jokes, satire and excellent appropriate dialogue.The script did not have a word out of place. The film took you along on a roller coaster of emotion. The characters were all human and imperfect but with endearing qualities. The situation too understandable but the sympathies were definitely with the lovers.
But the film was much more than the words that I have used. It wrapped the audience in its embrace with its story which unravelled in wit and charm and against a background of New York lovingly portrayed. The train station was a perfect locale though always not always recognisably the Central.
The performances were very good especially Amitabh and Preity Zinta. Abhishek and Rani were good too though Rani cried a bit too much- but that could be Karan's over use of glycerine.
Shah Rukh dominated the film in a brilliant,nuanced, versatile performance given in a very difficult role. He is a cynic and a loser but he keeps the sympathies of the audience and his charm reaches out palpably. It is one of his best performances to date and what more can one say - Shah Rukh at his best is the very best of all. He is the man after one's heart-funny, witty, tragic and heartbreaking.
The music is amazing especially Mitwa movingly picturised on Shah Rukh. This should prove not only a box office super hit but also a herald of the new Indian movies though not many will come close.
Paheli (2005)
A Fairy Tale seductively re-told.
Paheli is a rare film.Its beautifully mounted and photographed with amazing backgrounds and costumes - totally suited to the traditional tale. For me it re-created my sub continental childhood when we were brought up on stories of princesses and Djinns in fantasy palaces-romantic and emotionally satisfying. Some people have criticised the film as being too slow and incredible. Of course it is incredible because it is a fairy tale. But once the imaginative leap has been made and its premise accepted, the film is pure delight.
Shah Rukh Khan in his double role as the accountant to the core husband and the romantic spirit, is charismatic and romantic and riveting. Rani is the perfect beautiful bride, fully integrated into the world in which she lives so much so that she is completely thrown when the surrogate husband gives her the choice of keeping or rejecting him. So its a woman's rights film as well! But I just loved it on its own terms- a beautifully performed, beautifully produced, unusual film for our delectation.
Asoka (2001)
Asoka is the most brilliant Indian film ever-
This film has made the legendary figure of Asoka the Great immediate and personal. Most sub continentals know Asoka as a great but remote figure- after you see this film he is someone you understand , an extra-ordinary human being who achieved greatness by passing through fire. Shahrukh Khan is brilliant. Having seen his Bollywood style movies, this performance astonishes with its assuredness and its depth. It is a film which needs several viewings to fully appreciate it. The comedy bits of the Kalingans can be forgiven. Come on Shahrukh find some other historical roles!
Chalte Chalte (2003)
delicious entertainer
After a long time here is a film which entertains,delights and leaves one gasping at the brilliant acting. There are brief tedious patches when Shahrukh Khan and Rani are not on screen but those are few and far between. The story is very everyday -boy meets girl, falls instantly in love and wooes successfully this girl who is bit out of his world. But the Shahrukh charm is such that one wonders how she could have contemplated even for a week the thought of marrying some other chap even if she knew him from childhood. Delightful wooing scenes, lovely songs, very charming and sexy marriage episodes followed by quarrels. These are so believable that the audience is left gasping at the audacity of the rows. Luckily a happy ending and one is left feeling good and satisfied. I shall be very disappointed if SRK does not win every award for this year's best acting. Cant wait to see other Shahrukh films due this year.
Asoka (2001)
Asoka is the most brilliant Indian film ever-
This film has made the legendary figure of Asoka the Great immediate and personal. Most sub continentals know Asoka as a great but remote figure- after you see this film he is someone you understand , an extra-ordinary human being who achieved greatness by passing through fire. Shahrukh Khan is brilliant. Having seen his Bollywood style movies, this performance astonishes with its assuredness and its depth. It is a film which needs several viewings to fully appreciate it. The comedy bits of the Kalingans can be forgiven. Come on Shahrukh find some other historical roles!
Ram Jaane (1995)
Riveting movie throughout
I missed this film when it first came out and just saw it on DVD. The story line is very depressing though not really removed from reality.There is a great deal of violence and the usual overblown underworld but all that fades with the presence of Shahrukh Khan. In fact the great strength of the movie is the remarkable performance of Shahrukh Khan as the main protagonist. He is believable as a victim of circumstances who retains great moral strength and ability to fight back but also has pathos. He retains audience sympathy throughout. The heroine Juhi Chawla is rather weak. We can understand the obsession and love of the 'hero' for her but cannot make her out at all. We have to take her at her word that she loves Murli the good character and is just pretending love or affection for the hero. But there is no conflict in her emotions or evidence of what she really feels for the Shahrukh character. Is he able to get through to her at all? The ending is unsatisfactory in this regard. A film well worth seeing for the performance of Shahrukh Khan.
Asoka (2001)
Asoka is the most brilliant Indian film ever-
This film has made the legendary figure of Asoka the Great immediate and personal. Most sub continentals know Asoka as a great but remote figure- after you see this film he is someone you understand , an extra-ordinary human being who achieved greatness by passing through fire. Shahrukh Khan is brilliant. Having seen his Bollywood style movies, this performance astonishes with its assuredness and its depth. It is a film which needs several viewings to fully appreciate it. The comedy bits of the Kalingans can be forgiven. Come on Shahrukh find some other historical roles!
The Devil's Own (1997)
This is a moving and absorbing film with a world wide resonance.
The film seems to have given rise to extreme reactions which can be understood given the very controversial subject. But it is a lovely film. It has gorgeous lead actors. Brad Pitt's accent sounds fine to us here in Asia and who cares anyway. His performance was very moving. His character seems perfectly in keeping with the background shown. Harrison Ford is utterly believable. It is a film which will be seen with interest around the world. Congratulations Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford for giving us so much pleasure on the screen.