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Reviews
Dev (2004)
Interesting and relatively engaging
This film exemplified the acting talents of Amitabh Bacchan. As he's aged his roles have been more of a dramatic nature and I think that this role in particular shows his talent and skill as a cinematic artist. Kareena Kapoor was another highlight. She looked beautiful in her plain clothing and makeup, a nice change indeed. Amir Khan doesn't seem to be as emotionally engaging with the audience and the limited scenes with Jaya Bacchan is just disappointing. She lights up the scene when she is in the room, and there just isn't enough of her to make a completely believable character. The musical numbers seem gratuitous and out of place in this dramatic context and it would have worked better had they been removed completely. This is still a very good film exploring ethic conflict in India post-partition, but just does not have the strength and impact of Bombay (1995).
Vaastu Shastra (2004)
Not bad at all
I went into this film completely expecting it to be terrible. I have to admit, I thought it to be rather good. A few of the sound effects were overused (slamming door, laughing child) but I was clutching my puppy at the conclusion. To me, the tone was very akin to The Ring. Just, unsettling, in that certain way. The acting was good and even the little boy was very talented in his role. I didn't find it particularly predictable and as a Bollywood fan I am pleased to see the genre of Indian film expanding past the romantic comedy/musical genre. Surprisingly, this film was sans musical numbers, which, I think made it all the more ominous. I recommend this for foreign film fans and horror aficionados.
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha (2004)
Very poor
This movie started off with a bang. Preity Zinta was her usual self, commanding the attention of the audience every time that she is on the screen. Salman Khan just didn't have the charm he had in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. He appeared too busy showing off his muscles than actually attempting to make the audience believe he was capable of a loving relationship. Even worse was Bhoomika Chawla. Where did this girl come from and why has Bollywood allowed her to be on screen? She cannot act, she has no presence, and just stands there like a swollen lipped scarecrow. I think the film would have been saveable had a decent second actress been cast (imagine Kajol or Rani Mukherjee). Then at least the interesting nature of the plot could be carried out. But, alas, once Preity left the film there was nothing left for the audience to be entertained with. Poor music and dance numbers as well and extremely week supporting cast.
Dil Se.. (1998)
Very engaging
Shah Rukh was wonderful in this excellent display of Bollywood dramatics. While the film is lighter on musical and dance numbers than most Hindi films, it is richer in substance and drama. I wasn't as impressed with Manisha Koirala, who was the weak part in the film. I wish that someone with more experience had been cast, someone who could steal the screen like Shah Rukh. Preity Zinta was quite good in her role as a quirky/dingy second. All in all I liked this movie and it had me until the end, wondering, hoping, and caring about the characters and where the plot was going. It is still a love story like most films from India, but there is so much more to it than the courtship between a man and a woman. Another plus was the inclusion of Bhutanese culture and the exploration of the ethnic conflicts in and around the Indian nation.
Hum Tum (2004)
Disappointing
I was quite disappointed in this film. Between the good reviews and the presence of Rani Mukherjee I expected a much stronger and more interesting film. Alas, it was cliché', predictable, lifeless, and dull. Even the song and dance sequences couldn't save this monumental flop. The music was very uninteresting for bollywood and the choreography for the dances was just plain awful. The only really interesting parts included the cartoon characters and they were good for a laugh, especially when they would poke fun at Titanic. I almost think this film would have worked better with just cartoon characters because the actors selected for this just didn't pull it off.
Asoka (2001)
Impressive
This film is not intended to be derogatory towards Buddhists, but does indeed enact the historical beginnings of Buddhism. King Ashoka was a vicious warrior before he was shown the 8-fold path but his conversion did not occur until much blood was spilled in his land. It is unfortunate that other viewers have a skewed version of the conception of Buddhism and take this film to be negative. Nevertheless, I was impressed at the historical accuracy, the strength of the acting, and the vividness in the vision of the director. He chooses very unique positions to shoot the scenes and uses stop-time in very emotionally effective manners. I recommend this film not only for the story but for the visual elements and as an example of an Indian film that offers more than just song and dance.
Main Hoon Na (2004)
Uninspiring story but good dancing
Even Shah Rukh couldn't save this overdone plot less fiasco. The film smacks of a modern version of one of those Amitabh Bachchan action "hits" from the 70s, one of the really bad forgettable ones that is. The story is weak and all but Shah Rukh really need more acting lessons, particularly his new female counterpart. Kareena Kapoor would have been better in this role as she at least might have brought some life into this lifeless character. Anyway, there are no surprises and it is easy to guess the trajectory of the story from the beginning. The one positive point I will say is the main dance number at the conclusion is fantastic and it is obvious Ms. Khan put most of her effort into choreography and not directing a movie with much substance. If she continues in Bollywood and can manage to combine a fantastic story with her dance numbers, she will indeed create a winner. But, alas, Main Hoon Na is not that winner. Let this one go by.
Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Very very.....something
I have to say that I agree with most of the comments of the previous reviewer. It is one of the most emotional Bollywood films I've ever seen. I wept like a small child and even felt compelled to write this review, my first.
Kal Ho Naa Ho is really Shah Rukh at his finest. I notice that Kareena Kapoor was originally offered the role of Naina and I must say that I am glad she asked for too much money because Preity Zinta completely changed my impression of her with this film. She displayed much acting talent in a complex role and is no longer "the annoying girl from the Liril ads" to me.
This is very much like an Indian remake of "Autumn in New York", though, and despite knowing this I was not prepared for the conclusion. If you just like singing, dancing and happy Bollywood I'm not sure this one is for you. But, if you are looking for a plot and character-driven Indian film, I completely recommend this one. Get a nice warm blanket and a box of tissues ready though.