Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Paresh Rawal, Ajay Devgan, Konkanasen Sharma
Director : Ashwini Dheer
Music : Pritam

The release of some of the hindi films in this period with around 1000s of prints globally, shows the increased popularity and the scope of business happening in the entertainment media; Now international banners have started investing in the bollywood area. A film with the pakka hindi title, 'Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge ?' is being produced by none other than Warner Bros. Don't forget that they have given many big films including 'Harry Potter', 'The Lord of the Rings' etc.

Director Ashwini Dheer, who came from the mini screen is relatively a new name in the industry. He has written the film 'Krazzy 4' and has directed a film named 'One Two Three'. Ajay Devgan has done many action oriented roles in the first decade of his career, but films like 'Golmaal' series and 'All the Best', changed his serious image. Konkanasen Sharma is one such kind of actress who can handle any type of roles, films like 'Page 3', 'Mr and Mrs Iyer', 'Wake Up Sid' etc. are good examples. Paresh Rawal, who is also a notable character actor in bollywood these days, comes in the role of "Athithi" in the film.

The story is about a married couple (Ajay Devgan and Konkanasen Sharma), who lives with their kid in Mumbai. Ajay is a struggling writer, who is working on his first film script and Konkana is working in a private firm. One day, a distant relative (Paresh Rawal) of Ajay reaches their apartment. The guest stayed with them for a couple of days and later it was known that he is having no plans to leave them in the near future. The family is fed up, as they don't like the strict and unwanted habits followed by "Athithi" on the food, cleaning and other related purposes. Ajay tried his best to get the Athithi departed, but most of the time it ended in failure. Whether Ajay succeeded in keeping the uninvited guest out of their family, is shown in the climax of 'Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?'.

Though the film is filled with many realistic situations that created humor, some of the areas like the hotel raid and the associated incidents should have been avoided. The 'farting' of the Athithi character is repeated many times, which can lead to restlessness. The bombing scene at the shooting spot is an area where you are having an ultimate humor. The climax is also done well. Cinematography by Azeem Bajaj is good. Paresh Rawal is excellent in the lead role, like wise Ajay Devgan and Konkanasen Sharma also did well.


'Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge?' is a simple family subject without much gimmicks, hence it is a watchable one.


Rating : 7 / 10

Wake Up Sid

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Ranbhir Kapoor, Konkana Sen Sharma, Anupam Kher
Direction : Ayan Mukherjee
Producer : Karan Johar
Music : Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Amit Trivedi

Right from the mid 19th century, bollywood has been ruled by the Kapoor family. It starts from Prithviraj Kapoor to the well known show-man Raj Kapoor and later came the era of Shashi Kapoor followed by Rishi Kapoor and now the younger member of the family, Ranbhir Kapoor has also started acting since last 2 years. Born as the son of notable star couple, Rishi Kapoor - Neetu Singh, he has started acting through Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Sawariya', then came 'Bachna Ye Haseeno' and now he is starred opposite Konkana Sen Sharma ('Page 3', 'Traffic Signal', 'Mr & Mrs Iyer', 'Aaja Nachle' fame) in 'Wake Up Sid'. It is directed by debutant Ayan Mukherjee and produced by notable director Karan Johar.


Ranbhir Kapoor comes in the role of a student who is not at all serious in his studies. He has to pay the price for his careless attitude. Though he is born in a rich family, his father (Anupam Kher) doesn't like his son 's irresponsible behaviour. Due to this, the son quarells with his father and leaves the house. In the mean while, he meets the heroine (Konkana), who reaches Mumbai in search of a job. Leaving his own house, he decides to stay with her. She helps her in getting a job and also in moulding his character. Anyway in the end, as it has to be, it is a contrasting change happens in his life.


The attitude of bollywood films has canged a lot in the last 10 years. This fact has been discussed by us several times before. Though there are romantic films still releasing, they are giving some variety subjects also through many new directors like Ramgopal Varma, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ashuthosh Gowariker etc. 'Wake Up Sid' is one such film where the treatment holds the main factor. Konkana Sen Sahrma and Ranbhir Kapoor who did the pivotal roles have given an excellent performance. The situations and the dialogues used in the film are natural. The way in which hero's classmates are shown, the scene in which the hero tells his love and also the portrayal of matured character of the heroine etc are some examples. (...but I doubt the genuinity in the situation where the hero and the heroine stays together in a room for a long time...!!!). Anyway in the end, one might feel that the hero's character has got shades from the real life.


The hero's role, here and there resembles Hrithik Roshan's first half character in 'Lakshya'. The songs given by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are not upto the mark; but we doesn't feel it while watching the movie. Anil Mehta, the senior cinematographer behind films like 'Lagaan', 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna', 'Veer Zaara' etc had given colorful frames.


In my review of 'Sawariya' I told that my comments on the new hero will be given once I watch his future projects only. After 'Wake Up Sid', I felt that Ranbhir Kapoor has also got the talent to acheive a position in a place where his father once ruled.


'Wake Up Sid' is not extra ordinary; but the difference in treatment made it good and it is a relief from the usual bollywood love / masala formula.


Rating : 8 / 10