We are Family

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Arjun Rampal, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor
Director : Sidharth Malhotra
Music : Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Raju Singh (bg score)

'We are Family' is a hindi movie which is shot entirely in abroad. Though most of the bollywood movies happening in this decade are having NRI stories, here the team behind might highlight the matter that the story is adapted from an english movie named 'Stepmom', done by Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon. 'We are Family' is produced by notable director Karan Johar for Dharma Productions. His favorite actress Kajol, who is too choosy in accepting movies these days, comes in the lead role with Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor. It is directed by debutant Sidharth Malhotra.

Maya (Kajol) and Aman (Arjun Rampal) are couples who got divorced after they realized that they can't continue life smoothly. She is staying away with their three children. Aman brought his girl friend Shreya (Kareena Kapoor) to the house, the environment became unhappy. They were not ready to accept her as they want Aman still in their family. Shreya tries to impress the kids, but failed on some occasions. Since his children were not ready to accept Shreya, Aman decided to leave her. At one stage, Maya requested Shreya to stay with them, thus happens a twist in the story line of 'We are Family'.

The main attraction of the movie is the combination of super heroines Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. Kajol, who has got more emotions to project, did her role well. Arjun Rampal is impressive as always. All the child artists have done exceptionally well. The new director had made the movie in a sentimental background targeting the ladies. Though it felt deliberate in some areas, he has been successful in showing some emotional situations in the later portions (it reminds us of the malayalam movie 'Aakaasadhoothu'). Cinematographer Mohanan has given some colorful visuals. Bg score by Raju Singh is matching the mood. A couple of songs by Shankar Ehsaan Loy felt good.

It looks like the story of 'We are Family' is as it is adapted from the english movie. The twist happening to Kajol's character should have been made as a suspense. The story should have been treated in a different manner, a flashback episode is needed as the climax is shown in such a way. The scenes in which Kareena's role in the family is established and the celebrations done by the members towards the end, are done in a cinematic style. The party dance song in the second half will only be helpful as a promotional package for the movie. The second half is lagging in many portions. The role of new characters as the grown up ladies doesn't felt realistic. The character of Kajol lacks stability, at one point Kareena tells her not be so strict in rules, but it is not shown clearly in the beginning. Kareena Kapoor's character needs maturity in make up towards the end.

'We are Family' is a sentimental movie filled with some extreme emotional situations, especially for ladies. A different style in the making should have made the output, a well accepted one.


Rating : 5.5 / 10

My Name is Khan

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Sharukh Khan, Kajol, Sareena Wahab, Jimmy Shergil
Director : Karan Johar
Music : Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Karan Johar is a notable director in the modern era of bollywood. Though he has given only three films in the last one and half decades, they are all popular enough to place his name on the top of the list of directors. 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Kabhi Kushie Kabhie Gum' and 'Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna' were those projects and he has also produced films like 'Kaal', 'Dostana', 'Kurbaan', 'Wake Up Sid' etc. Now, he has given his favorite on-screen pair, Sharukh Khan and Kajol, another chance in his new project 'My Name is Khan'. It is jointly produced by the hero and the director themselves. After Amir Khan's 'Gajini', wellknown cinematographer Ravi K Chandran's next big project will be 'My Name is Khan'.

The film tells the life of an innocent guy Rizwan Khan (Sharukh Khan), who is suffering from Autism disease. Through his narration, we are shown how he spent his childhood days with his mother (Sareena Wahab). At one stage, she passed away. Khan's elder brother is married and settled in US. As his mother's wish, Khan reaches US. Due to his illness, he is afraid of the crowd gathering, yellow colors, huge sounds etc. As per his brother's wish, he does the job of a sales man. He met Mandira (Kajol), who is working in a beauty parlor. They usually got in touch and gradually they loved each other. She, being a hindu girl is a divorcee and had got a son also. Now Khan also comes to their family and they lived happily. By this time, 9/11 episode happens and it has changed the stable environment in the country and human inequality on the religious basis thus began among certain sections of the people. Mandira's son has also become a victim of such an incident and he is killed. This causes a split between the couple. She is too angry for her husband and asks him to tell the people and the President of United States that he is not a terrorist. With such an intention, Khan left the place and whether he is succeeded in it, is shown in the later portions.

'My Name is Khan' is presented in a big canvas, more than 96% of the film is shot in various parts of US. Thus the director with the help of the experienced cinematographer had tried to give a hollywood feel in the frames. Sharukh Khan, who comes in the lead role, with a man suffering from Autism, gave an excellent performance., which is the career best one for the actor. The director had portrayed his role in a slightly humorous way also. Kajol has also done well and she is charming in her appearance. The boy who did the role of heroine's son is also good.


The first half area concentrates on hero's childhood days and his survival in the abroad region later followed by the romance and family scenes. The second half area is tensed due to the hero's esteemed wish to see the President. Though such an area has got a cinematic touch, since the intention is true and positive, it can be accepted. The scenes inside the mosque, Khan's intimacy with the black lady Mamma, marketing strategies by Khan and the way in which the media taking over the contreversial case are some of the notable scenes. The climax felt a little lengthy also. Director Karan Johar should be appreciated for taking such a realistic theme which has got a world wide market value also. Songs by Shankar Ehsaan Loy goes with the mood, their bg score is also good.


'My Name is Khan' is different from the director's previous films with the same hero. The film has got an international theme with a message, supported by an excellent performance from the lead actor.


Rating : 8 / 10