Dabangg

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Vinod Khanna, Sonu Sood, Sonakshi Sinha, Dimple Kapadia
Director : Abhinav Kashyap
Music : Sajid Wajid, Sandeep Shirodkar (bg score)

Different from the romantic image, Salman Khan has done a police officer's role in his new movie, 'Dabangg'. As his previous movie 'Veer' didn't collected big at the box office, he wants to repeat the action formula once again after 'Wanted' (remake of telugu - tamil hit 'Pokkiri'). Abhinav Kashyap, brother of notable writer -director Anuraag Kashyap ('Dev D', 'Black Friday' fame), is the debutant director of the movie and it is produced by hero's brother, Arbaaz Khan. Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of yesteryear actor Shathrukhnan Sinha, comes as the new heroine of the movie.

The story happens in Uttar Pradesh, where Chumbul Pandey (Salman Khan), the fearless cop lives. His childhood days were not so interesting. When his father died, mother (Dimple Kapadia) marries another person (Vinod Khanna) and they had got a son named Makhi (Arbaaz Khan). Chulbul was not ready to accept his stepfather and half brother, their attitude in return were also similar. Chulbul meets Rajo (Sonakshi Sinha), love at first sight happens. After the mother's death, Chulbul marries Rajo, he also breaks up his relation with other family members. The highly influential politician (Sonu Sood), who wanted to destroy Chulbul make friendship with Makhi. The cause of death of his mother was revealed in the end and how Chulbul takes the revenge happens in the climax of 'Dabangg'.

Salman Khan, with a thin mustache, did well in the police officer's role. His character with a funny attitude has got the shades of an honest officer and a corrupted one at some occasions. Sonakshi Sinha has performed well in her debut chance. Sonu Sood, who is seen as a villain in many telugu and few tamil movies, is good as a villain; But he does not have the enough maturity for this role. Dimple Kapadia, is not best fit for a lovable old mother's role.

The police story told in 'Dabangg' is a repetitive thing only. But it is filled with some catchy action sequences. S.Vijayan, who had choreographed the fast punches in the movie 'Pokkiri' in all its versions along with many telugu projects, had marked his presence here. The fight scene at the railway station needs special mention. Cinematographer Mahesh Limaye, who worked for Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Corporate', 'Fashion' and 'Traffic Signal' has done his job well, so as editor Pranav Dhiwar. Music director duo Sajid Wajid's songs goes with the visuals, but they are not so best to be remembered.


'Dabangg' is an action masala told many times before. A hard core fan of Salman Khan can watch this one.


Rating : 5.5 / 10

Veer

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Salman Khan, Mithun Chakravarthy, Jackie Sheroff, Sohail Khan, Zarine Khan
Director : Anil Sharma
Music : Sajid-Wajid, Monty (bg score)

Salman Khan's new film, 'Veer' has got a different theme. It is a historical subject that happened in the pre independence period of the later 18th century. The film is directed by Anil Sharma, who gave Sunny Deol films like 'Gaddar', 'Hero', 'Apne' etc. The story of the film is written by Salman Khan. 'Veer', with a big star cast, is produced by Eros International. It is made in a mega budget and has got new face Zarine Khan as the heroine.

The story is about the Pindhari tribe that fought against the British in 1862. The King of Madhavgarh (Jackie Sheroff), join hands with the English to kill many Pindhari soldiers. This provoked their leader Prithvi Singh (Mithun Chakravarthy) who in turn quarreled with the King and cuts his right hand. Prithvi's son Veer (Salman Khan) is bought up as a warrior from his childhood days. When grown up, Veer and his brother (Sohail Khan) were sent to London for their studies, in order to mix up with the British and to know their attitude. Veer gets into an affair with Yasodhara (Zarine Khan), daughter of the King. Veer's brother is beaten up by his lover's brother, who later died during the attack. Veer returns from London, tells about his love. He agreed to kill the King and brought the bride. In the end, the war happens, the King once again plays a fowl play. The British army is beaten by the Pindharis and the King is killed.

'Veer' is a movie that is made in a big canvas. The war scenes done in it are extraordinary. The horse fighting, train robbery etc are done in a realistic way. The visual effects used in it and the helicopter shot camera angles are also excellent. Action coordinator Tinu Varma and cinematographer Gopla Shah needs special mention. Some of the sequences reminds us of the Hollywood movies like 'Gladiator' and 'Troy'. The art direction and the costume designing area stands on the top. The recreation of the old London and the interior designing of palaces are some of the examples. Music directors Sajid-Wajid had given a couple of good melodies. Monty's background score matches the mood well. After 'Gaddar', which discussed the India-Pak relationship, director Anil Sharma had given a movie that can be included in the 'fight for freedom' category of movies.

Salman Khan is excellent in the title role. Mithun Chakravarthy and Jackie Sheroff also did their roles well. The new heroine Zarine Khan resembles Katrina Khaif in some angles, but her performance is average only. Sohail Khan's comedy scenes dilutes the serious environment, which is not good. It is not a supportive phenomenon, to watch Neena Gupta (Veer's mother) dancing with a big group leading by his husband and two sons. Once the story is shifted to London environment, there happens a deviation from the real plot and more importance is given to the romantic scenes.


No need to keep over expectation about 'Veer'. It is a historical film by Salman Khan, which is shown in an action-romantic background.


Rating : 6.5 / 10

London Dreams

Medium : Hindi

Starring : Ajay Devgan, Salman Khan, Asin, Ompuri

Direction : Vipul Amrutlal Shah

Music : Shankar Ehsaan Loy

After the super hit film, 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', bollywood stars Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan teamed up againthrough 'London Dreams' directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah ('Aankhen', 'Waqt' and 'Namasthey London' fame). After being introduced as a second heroine through an average film like 'Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka', Asin had grown up through films like 'M.Kumaran S/o Mahalakshmi', 'Gajini', 'Pokkiri' etc reached hindi through telugu. Her first hindi film was a remake subject ('Gajini) with Amir Khan. She repeated almost her same style of performance in the remade film also. Since it became a hit, she got a chance in the multi cast project; also the heroine's character being a native of tamilnadu, might be the another reason for her to get the lead role.

'London Dreams' tells the story of two friends (Ajay and Salman). Among them Ajay is too ambitious to become a singer in the younger days itself. But his father didn't allow him to sing. After the demise of his father, son reached London, traveled here and there, finally when grown up, he becomes a street singer. He got two companions to play the instruments. His friend at the village is spending an unstable life. By the time, Ajay becomes a popular singer in abroad. He has got the heroine to perform in his troupe. As per his friend's request, he also reached London. Realizing his friend's talent in singing, Ajay asks him to join the troupe. The new star soon dominates the troupe leader. Thus he soon becomes a hero there. Though Ajay loved the girl who works with her, he kept silent about this. But his friend, who is the new member, soon gets into affair with her. After losing the lover and fame; Ajay's jealousy started to work and what he does to overcome this, happens later.

Whatever things that the director had tried to discuss here like the friendship, love, hatred, jealousy, fame etc lacks detailing. The bond of friendship between two heroes are not shown clearly, the way in which Ajay becomes popular is cinematic, we don't know the reason for the heroine being attracted to the new friend, even though Ajay gave her a break. The anti climax scenes happening in the stage looks like a drama scene. Also the happy ending for the film is childishness. (I never expected such things from a director who gave a different film like 'Aankhen').

Music is by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy; they gave some peppy numbers which is not memorable, but it felt didn't bad. Ajay's body language didn't suits a singer, but he managed well in serious situations. Salman's role has got a comic shade, which he did well. Asin looked non confident in most of the scenes including the songs. Let us wait till her next project to give more comments.

The title of the film 'London Dreams' is big; but the content doesn't impress you to think like that...

Rating : 5.5 / 10

Wanted

Medium : Hindi
Starring : Salman Khan, Ayisha Takia, Prakshraj
Direction : Prabhudeva
Music : Sajid Wajid, Salim Sulaiman

Hope you know about the versatility of notable south indian choreographer/actor Prabhudeva. Came to the cinefield as a dance assistant to his father, veteran choreographer Sundaram, in the late 80s (through 'Agninakhsatram', Idayam', 'Vetivizha' etc), he has grown through the ages. Later he became independent like his father and then started acting (through 'Kathalan', 'Indu', 'Mr.Romeo' etc). Some of his films were hits, but the majority didn't do well. Anyway he has not left the choreography job in this time. It was evident in songs like "main aisa kyo hoon...", "baba kichi thaa..." etc.

Almost 3 years before, this man has has tried his luck on the direction side. His debute telugu project 'Nuvvasthionthe Ninnoduthana'( by Sidharth & Trisha and the original version of 'Something Something Unakkum Enakkum' by Jayam Ravi & Trisha) was a massive hit. Later came 'Pournami with Prabhas & Trisha, which was a periodical subject that got critical acclamation. Then only he has done a project in his own language. They were 'Pokkiri' (remake of telugu hit with the same name bu Mahesh Babu & Ileana, directed by Puri Jagannath) and 'Villu'(remake of Bobby Deol's 'Soldier'). His first film with Vijay was a success, but the second one bombed.


Now, when notable producer in bollywood, Boney Kapoor (brother of Anil Kapoor & bollywood queen Sridevi's husband) decided to remake 'Pokkiri' with Salman Khan, he decided to put the same Prabhudeva on the direction side. Camera is handled by the same Neerav Shah; S.Sriram ('Thanmathra' fame) is also there in his absence. The main attraction will be stunt master Vijayan, who did excellent action scenes in other versions. Music is by Sajid Wajid, background score is by Salim Sulaiman. Ayisha Takia, comes in place of Asin. The most important man to work in all versions is none other than Prakashraj, who has entered bollywood through this film. Thus we are having two big remakes releasing in the same week; One from hindi to tamil ('Unnaippol Oruvan' and the other one, 'Wanted' happened vice versa.


'Wanted' tells the story of underworld gangs. Even the introduction scene of the hero followed by song is shown as it is. It has got short appearances of Anil Kapoor and Govinda along with the director himself. Prakashraj, who plays the don has performed in his style and he even dubbed in his voice. Salman has got a different character when compared to the roles he has done in the recent past. His romance and his combination scenes with the heroine, Ayisha Takia is also notable. Salman has done fast action scenes (credit goes to Vijayan).


The songs are not good. Being a choreographer also, the director should have been more careful while selecting and approving songs (if he got a voice in it !). The new face comedian who comes in place of Vadivelu has not performed well. Thus the friendship scenes and the comedy areas cannot be compared with the original versions. We have to wait and see whether bollywood welcome more subjects from south as it happened for 'Gajini'.


'Wanted' has got a different action role by Salman Khan. This film is not a big thing when bollywood is considered; but if you have not seen the original versions, then you can try this once.

Rating : 7.5 / 10