Golmaal 3

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Ajay Devgan, Mithun Chakravarthy, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Thushar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Khemu, Johny Lever, Ratna Pathak Shah
Director : Rohit Shetty
Music : Pritam, Sanjoy Chowdhary (bg score)

It is time for a comedy sequel. 'Golmaal Returns' came after two years from the successful 'Golmaal', now the same team had come up with another part 'Golmaal 3'. Almost all the actors who came in the last movie are maintained with the senior actor Mithun Chakravarthy and Kunal Khemu ('Kalyug', '99' fame) being the new comers. Rohit Shetty, who had directed the previous versions along with other movies like 'All The Best', 'Sunday' etc is the director of 'Golmaal 3'. He had decided to enter the list of comedy creators like David Dhavan and Priyadarshan. Pritam is the music director, Dudley is the cinematographer. The shooting of the movie took place at the coastal areas of Goa.

The story mainly focuses on two groups lead by Pritam (Mithun Chakravarthy) and Geetha (Ratna Pathak Shah). Both of them were lovers once, their marriage didn't happened as the lady's father (Prem Chopra) objected it. Pritam and Geetha are now the guardian of the three members each. Arshad Warsi, Thushar Kapoor and Kunal Khemu are in the first family so as Ajay Devgan, Shreyas Talpade and Kareena Kapoor belongs to the second group. Those members always hated each other. Pritam and Geetha met after a long gap; As per the help of Dabbu (Kareena Kapoor), they decided to get married. Without informing others, how they got into the family life and the after effects of such a thing is told in the later protions of 'Golmaal 3'.

Like the previous versions, here also the director had given importance for out and out comedy situations. There is laughing chances in almost every scenes. The flash back scenes of Mithun Chakravarthy accompanied by the songs from 'Disco Dancer', the revenge happening between the two groups, the opponent group afraid of the finger breaking habit by Ajay Devgan, the step brothers fought each other in the house through actions, attack episodes on Mithun Chakravarthy, the actions of Shreyas Talpade and Thushaar Kapoor, the quotes given by Kunal Khemu, teaser episode on the police inspector, Johny Lever's 'Ghajini' syndrome etc are some of the areas that creates comedy. The chasing scenes are filled with some un realistic shots.

Pritam had given some peppy numbers. Bg score by Sanjoy Chowdhary is good. Songs are shown colorfully. Action scene is also neatly done, filled with some unlimited slow motions. Cinematography by Dudley is colorful. Steven H. Bernard is the editor. Ajay Devgan is a rough and tough guy. Arshad Warsi and Kunal Khemu have done the role with ease. The talking style of Thushar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade creates laughter. Mithun Chakrabarthy in his serious role creates humor. Kareena Kapoor and Ratna Pathak Shah (w/o Nasarudeen Shah, 'Jaane Tu Yaa Jaane Naa' fame) have also done well.


If you want unlimited fun without looking for the logic, you can watch the comedy entertainer 'Golmaal 3'.


Rating : 6.5 / 10

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

Milenge Milenge

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Satish Shah, Aarti Chabria
Director : Satish Kaushik
Music : Himesh Reshammiya, Sanjay Chowdhary (bg score)

'Jab We Met', acted by Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor is one of the best hindi movies that got released in the last 10 years. The off screen affair and separation between stars has always been a talk of the town, when we take the case of bollywood. Thus 'Milenge Milenge' has also been a matter of such discussion forums, the reason is mentioned above. Shahid and Kareena are the main participants here. They are acting together after a short gap. Such things have never attracted me. Even in the middle of memories of 'Jab We Met', the main factor that pulled me back is the director of this movie. Satish Kaushik, an actor also, had given directed movies like 'Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja', 'Prem', 'Hum Aap Ke Dil Mein Rahte Hai', Tere Naam', 'Karzzz' etc. 'Milenge Milenge', produced by Roop Ki Rani's husband Boney Kapoor is a late release, after being rested for many months.

Priya (Kareena Kapoor), is ambitious and she wants her partner to be a gentle man without any bad habits like smoking, drinking etc. When she met an astrologer (Kiron Kher), the latter tells that Priya is going to meet her partner within a week and that too in Bangkok, at a sea shore. She is being selected along with his friends from the college, to visit Bangkok. Immy (Shahid Kapoor), a rich guy with all the bad habits is enjoying the life and he also reached Bangkok with his friends. One day, he accidentally went through Priya's personal diary and decided to act like a good man. Soon they became closer to each other, without her notice Immy continued the habits of smoking and drinking. Priya found her diary's photo copy from Immy's room and thus became the reason for them to be got separated. He begged for pardon by telling that he will be changing his habit. He assumes that all that happened between them is due to faith and destiny. Priya took a 50 rupee currency and wrote Immy's name and phone number on it. She bought a book from the stall for that money. On the second page of the book, she has written her name and number and sold it at another place. Now, she tells that if destiny wants a re-union between two, then fate will bring those two properties back to them. What happens to their relationship is told in the later areas of 'Milenge Milenge'.

When the heroine wrote something on the currency, suddenly I came to know that it is not a fresh idea. The same situation has happened in the 2003 tamil movie 'J J', directed by Saran starring Madhavan, Pooja and Nisha Kothari. Now it is known that both these were taken from the English movie, 'Serendipity'. Cinematographer S.Sriram, who worked with the same director before in 'Tere Sang' and 'Tere Naam', has not given extraordinary visuals to be mentioned. He has also done a malayalam movie 'Thanmathra'. Songs by Himesh Reshammiya, with the nasal tone, are not the best. The songs are also happening in unwanted situations.

As expected, Satish Kushik has presented the movie is a very ordinary way only. Lengthy shots and non realistic situations had made the movie a boring one. We can't request big from from such a poor story. The way in which the astrologer tells about heroine's partner doesn't look realistic. The hero and his friends doing the female make up is shown 1000 times before. The actors who did the role of hero's companions has not delivered their best. The thief running with the book is a childish thing. The journey done by the hero and heroine to find their lovers is a wastage of time. The relationship between the father and the hero doesn't felt serious. Without a commendable situation in it, it is not easy to analyze the performance of Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in 'Milenge Milenge'.

No need to waste your precious time watching a boring movie like 'Milenge Milenge'.


Rating : 4 / 10

3 Idiots

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Amir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Bomman Irani, Kareena Kapoor
Director : Rajkumar Hirani
Music : Shanthanu Moitra


The most distinguished bollywood actor in the last 10years, in terms of selecting variety themes for his projects and also creating success from it is none other than Amir Khan. Nobody will argue in this matter. It is relevant when we take the examples of projects like 'Sarfarosh', '1947 - Earth', 'Lagaan', 'Dil Chahtha Hai', 'Mangal Pandey', 'Rang De Basanthi', 'Fanaa', 'Tare Zameen Par'(director also) and 'Ghajini'. Now Amir Khan's new project has got a different title, '3 Idiots'.

'3 Idiots' has also got successful names to project on the technical side. The team who had given films like 'Munna Bhai MBBS' & 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', Rajkumar Hirani (director) and Vidhu Vinod Chopra (producer) join once again for this film. Abhijit Joshi who was there in the last movie is the co-script writer along with the director. '3 Idiots', distributed by Big Pictures, is adapted from a novel named 'Five Point Someone' by Chetan Bhagat.

The film tells the story of three friends, Racho (Amir Khan), Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi) who were room mates while studying in ICE Institution, Delhi. All of them were fed up by the vigorous training there and the extra pressure and stress given by the Principal (Bomman Irani). Racho doesn't like the spoon feeding type of coaching and the style of by-hearting prevailed there. He always supported the practical knowledge and was against giving extra pressure on the students. His theory is that a student should be given the right to select his future.

Raju, who belongs to a poor family reached there to study and to get a job, so that he can fulfill his family's interests and Farhan joined the college as per his father's wish as he was not allowed to choose his ambitious way. As a companion, Racho has inspired others to choose their own way. In between he was also black marked by the principal for questioning his style and extra disciplinary methods. He meets the latter's daughter (Kareena Kapoor) in a wedding ceremony and she was soon impressed by his behavior. What happens to their college life, their friendship, their ambitions, their love, their career etc are shown in the later portions of '3 Idiots'.

The film gives a message by questioning the educational system exists in our country. The central character done by Amir Khan gives inspiration for those who are interested in practical knowledge and thus to achieve greater heights. The friendship between those three are portrayed well. The romance episode given here also felt realistic. The so called brilliant student named 'Silencer', who doesn't even know how to speak the national language is a real example we can witness in our school/college days. The humor is neatly handled by the director here. The black and white shade given for the Raju's family scenes is the best example.

All the actors have done exceptionally well, especially Amir Khan who did the central character is very athletic and lovable. His body language suits well for an engineering student. Cinematography by CK Muraleedharan, songs and bg score by Shanthanu Moitra etc also goes with the mood.

The Head of the Institution role handled by Bomman Irani had got the shades of his role from the movie 'Munna Bhai MBBS'. The scene where the pregnancy handled by the doctor through web cam felt cinematic, but it is also acceptable as we are living in the modern technical era and no body can guarantee that a movie should be 100% realistic. The coincidence thing happened in the climax area and hospital scenes are other examples.


'3 Idiots' is an entertainer made humorously in the backdrop of an educational institution and at the same time it gives a message for all ambitious people...


Rating : 9 / 10 (revised)

Kurbaan

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Ompuri, Kareena Kapoor, Dia Mirza
Director : Rensil D'silva
Music : Salim Sulaiman


Karan Johar is a big name in the bollywood industry. He has directed films like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Kabhi Khushu Kabhi Ghum' and 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and he is also the producer of films like 'Kaal', 'Kal Ho Na Ho', 'Dostana', 'Wake Up Sid' and now 'Kurbaan'. The producer has written the story of the film also and the script writer - director is a new name in the field, Rensil D'silva (He has shared credits of screen play writing in films like 'Luck' and 'Rang De Basanthi').


The film deals with the issue of international terrorism and its influence on the society. Ehsan Khan (Saif ) is a professor in the Delhi University where Avanthika (Kareena) also does the same profession. They loved each other and married. Both of them reached US, when she gets a job in an University there. He also gets a part-time tutor's job. They stays in a locality where the majority are muslims.

Once, a girl from their neighborhood, came to Avanthika asking for help telling that her life is in danger. As per her request, she passes the message to a news reporter (Dia) and her colleague (Vivek). The unstable surroundings gave some fowl smell to Avantika and she accidentally came to know about the illegal activities going on there. How she manages to get out of the trap, what happens to her husband, how the journalist helps them are all shown in the later portions.


The film is presented well by the new director. The colorful visuals by the cinematographer Hemant Chathurvedi ('Company', 'Maqbool' and 'Dus Kahaniya' fame) helped to give a serious mood. Salim-Sulaiman had given an excellent background score, 'sukranallah...' song is also notable. All the artists have done their roles well. The scene at the lecture hall where Vivek Oberoi open up, is interesting.


The hero's character is a suspense, but the circumstances around him gives us a clue about it in the earlier portions itself. The scenes involving FBI officials should have been done more seriously. The anti climax portions including the train scenes are ok. As an extension to the climax, what will be happening to such a new born baby should have been mentioned. The resemblance of the tamil film 'Kuruthippunal' by Kamalhassan (adapted from 'Drohkaal' in hindi) is there in few scenes.


The theme of 'Kurbaan' is very relevant in the current era; you can watch it once.


Rating : 7.5 / 10

Kambakht Ishq

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Aftab Shivadasani, Amrita Arora, Sylvester Stallone (guest)
Direction : Sabbir Khan

Music : Anu Malik, Salim - Sulaiman

The name of this new hindi film by Akshay Kumar originated from the first line of a hit song from the film ‘Pyar Tune Kya Kiya’ (Fardeen Khan-Urmila starrer produced by Ramgopal Varma in 2001). Right from his debut in the early 90’s, the 80+ films year old actor, who is also a martial arts expert has grown through films like ‘Khiladi’, ‘Mohra’, ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’, ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’, ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Ajnabee’, ‘Garam Masala’, ‘Namasthey London’, ‘Singh is King’ etc. Though the majority of them were action oriented roles, in the last 4-5years, Akshay kumar has started giving importance to comedy subjects also. ‘Kambakht Ishq’ is directed by debutant Sabbir Khan, who was working in the field as assistant director since last 14years.

In the last years, bollywood has changed a lot in many aspects especially on the technical side. Even then they are giving films like ‘A Wednesday’, ‘Lagaan’, Chak de India’ etc along with ‘Dhoom’, ‘Bhoot’, ‘Kabhi Alvida na Kehna’etc. Another important change is in the environment of story telling. The majority of the film happens in US or UK or any other country abroad. In the 60% of the films relasing here, we can’t spot out a single scene containing visuals from our country. (Personally, I am against such an attitude of the film makers, but looking on the commercial side I will prefer to be silent). Since, hindi films have got a global audience, Eros International has released ‘Kambakht Ishq’ overseas also. The film fully shot in US, has got casting of Sylvester Stallone. The intention was clear.

Viraj (Akshay) is working as dupe for Hollywood actors in action sequences. His young brother (Aftab) who also works in the same field decides to get married. This is not supported by Viraj. On the other side the proposed girl (Amrita Arora) has got a friend (Kareena) who also opposes the marriage. She tried to separate the couple blaming the stability of their job as dupes. Irritated at this, the hero advises his brother not to break up their family relation. When Viraj met with an accident, heroine who is a doctor conducts the surgery. When gone through the X-ray, she came to know that before stitching, by mistake she left her watch inside hero’s stomach. Without telling this, she started in front of him as if she loves him. When her intention of doing surgery again becomes successful, she reveals that she don’t like him. Anyway after few dramatic situations, heroine begs the hero for love in the climax and what to do, he agrees…!

Have you heard the story before? It was only at the interval time only that I identified that this film is the remake of a Kamalhassan-Simran film in the early 2000period, ‘Pammal K Sambandham’. Only thing they have done is the change of location and addition of more glamour scenes. Universal Studios in Hollywood forms the main location here. The actions scenes directed by foreign technicians are shown as a part of the hero’s profession as dupe in films. Stallone comes in two scenes, his climax fight and the shot in which he tells the word “Kambakht Ishq…” felt cinematic. The way in which the alarm rings inside the hero’s body and its impact is not realistic. Javed Jafri’s character also felt intolerable sometimes. The single comedy scene given for Boman Irani is also repetitive. The film sounds high technically. Cinematography by Vikas Shivraman is notable. Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor have done well.

The original version of this film was a flop. Here they managed to recreate it through ‘Kambakht Ishq’ to a certain extend. But, we can’t promote it as the best.

Rating : 6 / 10