Review

At one point in Aa Dekhen Zara, someone declares “camera plus photo equals future plus daulat.” That might be true of the characters in the film, especially of Ray, a wildlife photographer who inherits a camera that can photograph the future. But for us viewers, camera plus photo equals only staggering boredom.

The film, directed and written by debutant Jehangir Surti, begins on a promising note. Ray, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh, is struggling to make ends meet when his grandfather dies, leaving him a non-descript looking camera. But Ray soon discovers that the camera has mysterious powers. It predicts the future, including Ray’s impending death. 

It’s a snazzy concept and for the first twenty minutes or so, Surti builds up the suspense nicely. But then inexplicably, the script written by Shirshak Anand and Shantanu Ray, goes south with a ferocious speed. 

Sophie Chaudhary shows up with very few clothes and bee-stung lips that seem to have a life of their own; Rahul Dev starts shooting at anything that moves; and the glorious Bipasha Basu, usually a fitting femme fatale, wears inexplicably unattractive clothes and a glum expression that only lets up when she does a bewildering item number in a Bangkok Bar called, believe it or not, The Cheap Charlie Club.

Aa Dekhen Zara is painfully inconsistent and doesn’t stay true to even its own warped logic. At one point, a photograph shows Ray that he will be pursued on a flight by sharp shooter Rahul Dev and yet when Ray spots him, he seems totally surprised. 

Neil Mukesh has a strangely inert presence. Even though people are dropping like flies around him, he seems largely unmoved. The lack of chemistry between him and Basu doesn’t help the film either. 

Surti tries to impart a sense of urgency by giving us a count down to the climax but by then you are beyond caring. What could have been a fun popcorn movie is a thriller without thrills. See it if you must.

Click Here to see the Trailer.

Source: NDTV Movies

For Disney’s first co-venture in India, Salim-Suleiman’s peppy score works largely, but isn’t in the exceptional Yash Raj league.

Animation movies usually have fun, character-based numbers which appeal across ages.

For that quotient check out Cool, cool on which Saif Ali Khan raps and Javed Jafferi does break into a South Indian accent.

Apni bhi dum is listenable too. Main hoon Romeo is the big ticket number, never mind if it reminds you of the Neal n Nikki’s title track. The album is a decent buy that’s it. Continue

Expectations from a soundtrack belonging to a Karan Johar film are straight forward – It has to be nothing but superb. With the kind of music that his films have boasted over the years (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Kaal, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), there is no reason why Dostana should be any different. Add to it names like Vishal and Shekhar who truly understand the pulse of today’s youth and you know that this Abhishek Bachchan-Priyanka Chopra-John Abraham starrer would boast of an entertaining soundtrack all the way.

After listening to Dostana, you know that it is not just entertaining in get-set-rocking mode. Instead it also has its moments, especially when it comes to the soft numbers (there are three of them) and this is exactly where the core strength of Dostana lies. The album has a mix of everything – from dance number to softer tracks – all of it ensuring that Vishal-Shekhar have yet another successful album up their sleeves after Bachna Ae Haseeno, Tashan and Om Shanti Om.

A love song with some unconventional lyrics by Anvita Dutt Guptan, ‘Jaane Kyun‘ is an excellent track that gives Dostana a kick start. If the catchy tune isn’t good enough, it is the singer who comes behind the mike for this youthful track, who surprises the most. He is none other than Vishal Dadlani himself who shows an entirely different facet of his personality. He is confident enough to entrust himself with the responsibility of going solo for this flagship number of Dostana and doesn’t make one feel that any other singer would have done a better job with ‘Jaane Kyun‘. A fun number which would find immense popularity all over.

A track which requires just one hearing to be classified as a chartbuster being brought to you on a platter is ‘Desi Girl‘. Want some ‘get-on-the-dance-floors’ beats? Vishal & Shekhar get it for you. Need some catchy lyrics to get on your lips instantly? Lyricist Kumaar does the job right for you. Expect the singers to get some powerful energy in their vocals? Shankar Mahadevan and Sunidhi Chauhan along with Vishal Dadlani can always be entrusted to do that. And if you thought that the feel of ‘Deewangee’ (Om Shanti Om) couldn’t ever be matched again, then choreographer Farah Khan is just a call away. Overall, a complete package deal where absolutely nothing goes wrong!

A quintessential Punjabi dance number as far as the tune and arrangements are concerned, ‘Maa Da Laadla‘ is the next to come. However, it is the lyrics by Kumaar which makes the number special as there is a lot being conveyed in this hardcore Punjabi number. If one diverts attention away from the racy tune of this number (which is bound to make its presence felt in the discotheques and clubs) and instead delve deep into the lyrics, you would realize that ‘Maa Ka Laadla‘, which has singer Saleem at the helm, is one fun number which would aid the film’s narrative in a big way. Watch out for this one!

Next comes the much hyped item number in Dostana which features Shilpa Shetty jiving along with Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham on the Miami beach. Titled ‘Shut Up & Bounce‘, the song may sound like a routine/typical dance number but that doesn’t come in the way of the potential it holds as far becoming popular in days to come. With Sunidhi Chauhan leading from the front and Vishal Dadlani providing additional vocals, ‘Shut Up & Bounce‘ written by Anvita is all set to be an eye candy all the way, courtesy Miss Shetty and other bevy of beauties expected to dominate the frames captured on the Miami beach.

Vishal and Shekhar reserve the best for the end with two extremely soothing numbers bringing Dostana to an end. First to come is ‘Khabar Nahi‘ which is just the kind that you wish to put in a repeat mode, switch off the lights, close your eyes and expect the song to make you go for that peaceful sleep. If Vishal excelled as a singer in ‘Jaane Kyun‘, one has to hear him in ‘Khabar Nahi‘ where is quite good yet again. A beautiful melody which keeps you smiling away as it plays in the background, ‘Khabar Nahi‘ is a love song written by Anvita which also has Shreya Ghoshal and Amanat Ali lending their vocals along with Raja Hasan.

Shaan would indeed consider himself lucky as he is gifted the best tune and lyrics (Vishal Dadlani does an all around show in the album and also contributes with his writing) in the form of ‘Kuch Kum‘. A poetic track which moves at a serene pace and has in it the potential to scale the kind of height which the title song of ‘Kal Ho Na Ho‘ did (as far as the soothing feel is concerned) ‘Kuch Kum‘ is easily the best of the lot and is immensely likeable within first listening itself. It is a kind of number that you don’t really want to over analyze and instead just hear it to enjoy it to the fullest. No wonder, it has the longest duration when compared to the rest and lasts for close to 6 minutes.

Dostana is an excellent album from Vishal-Shekhar and there is not one single number which doesn’t work. In fact if three soft numbers (‘Kuch Kum’, ‘Khabar Nahi‘ and ‘Jaane Kyun‘) are the pick of the lot then ‘Desi Girl’ is a definite must for the dance floors. ‘Maa Da Laadla‘ and ‘Shut up & Bounce‘ have their own place under the sun and if the film works well at the theaters (which it should), there is no reason why Dostana won’t go on to match the kind of sales that the biggest albums of 2008 (Race, Singh Is Kinng, Jannat, Tashan, JTYJN) have enjoyed this year.

Go for it!

Movie Review: Karz; Star Cast: Himesh Reshammiya, Urmila Matondkar, Danny, Raj Babbar and introducing Shweta Kumar; Director: Satish Kaushik;

This remake of Subhash Ghai’s 1980s super hit Karz has basically the same storyline as the original with a little twist added to it. So for all those who haven’t seen the original, the plot goes like this – Kamini (Urmila) marries Ravi Verma (Dino Morea) for his riches and bumps him off immediately after their marriage. Two decades later, the biggest music sensation in South Africa, Monty (Himesh) one day suddenly during a rehearsal starts playing a tune and goes into a trance, with intense visual flashes of a mansion, a temple, a beautiful girl and ends up collapsing unconscious. Further a flash back reveals that Monty was actually Ravi Verma in his previous life, married to a beautiful girl called Kamini. Monty now has the grave realization of having been reborn in his current persona. His beautiful love interest (Tina) is none other than Kamini’s foster daughter. From here starts Monty’s new journey. A journey of revenge! How he accomplishes it and gives justice to Ravi Verma’s hapless old mother and sister forms the rest of the film.

The basic premise of this film is even exciting for anyone of today’s generation. But one thing that one needs to keep in mind while watching this film is that it is not completely aimed at the multiplex going audience. It has been treated like a typical masala film aimed at the masses and to enjoy one needs to keep his brains back at home.

The things that work are – The enthusiasm of Himesh in reprising Rishi Kapoor’s Monty. Himesh has given it his all and his efforts show. You root for him in the second half when he starts playing games with Urmila. The action sequences, especially the climax ones are mind blowing. Another good plus is the performance by Urmila in her first ever full blown villainous role. Her venomous act is bound to get her few awards this year for sure. She has even exposed her body a lot in those glamorous dresses. Gulshan Grover (as Sir Judah) in his unusual get up leaves a mark. Danny as the every helpful Kabir chacha (played by Pran in the original) and Asrani lend able support.

But the things that don’t really work are – The pairing of Himesh and debutante Shweta Kumar. They share an extremely thanda chemistry. Considering it is her debut film, the poor gal hasn’t been properly presented as well. In the acting department she still has a long way to go. The styling of the film is extremely poor excluding that of Himesh’s. The set design is straight out of the 80s films. Also, despite having so many dance numbers, there is not a single song that stays in your mind thanks to some really pathetic choreography with those now mandatory firang dancers around. The high point of the original Karz, the Ek Hasina Thi number falls flat in here in its new version. As a director, Satish Kaushik fails to add any independent distinct style.

Finally our verdict is – Go for it if even if you are not a die hard Himesh fan and you will definitely get in more than what you had expected.

Farhan Akthar has always found a certain niche in Bollywood. Even with his very first flick, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ , he explored a realm explored by very few then. The movie and even its music courtesy Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy(S-E-L) was a rage. Then , Farhan went on to ‘Lakshya’ by bringing out so much more from Hrithik followed by ‘Don’ which was again rightfully up to the standards unlike other remakes.

Farhan Akthar works closely with people who are close to him be it S-E-L or old schoolmate of Manickchand Cooper School-Ritesh Sidwani. The two have established ‘Excel Entertainment’ with an eye for good films and directors. After ‘Honeymoon Travels’ comes their next ‘Rock On!’ directed by Abhishek Kapoor .

Though Abhishek’s first film ‘Aryan’ wasn’t a rage, this one sure is. Reasons-‘Farhan Akhtar’ now lends his voice for 6 tracks in the album and who would believe that he has not been a practicing musician. The album carries a true rock feel with lyrics by Javed Akhtar and lives up to the title.

‘Socha Hai’ opens with the pulsating electrifying guitar creating rhythm. Soon you hear a voice crooning that brings in an air of freshness. And if you are wondering whether this lad is yet another Pakistani discovery in India; you’ve got it absolutely wrong. Farhan Akhtar croons with excellence and you wonder whether he’s been part of a rock band. The lyrics by Javed Akhtar seeps in with questions. ‘Aasaman hai neela kyon? Paani geela geela kyon? Gol kyon hai zameen?’ ‘Amazing’ is an understatement for this song.

Now comes more of Farhan with ‘Pichle Saath Dino Mein’. Ehsaan Noorani does it well with the guitar to give Farhan’s sonorous voice the right pump. Javed Akhtar binds in fun filled lyrics with the rhyme scheme of ‘Laundry ka bill’, ‘Chandi ka Ring’. Don’t be surprised if for the next few weeks you’ll be left humming ‘Nana na na Nana’ after listening to this one. The live version too by Farhan is such a treat.

The title track ‘Rock On!’ comes in with the pulsating theme of ‘Lakshya’. The tune has become more of the identity of ‘Excel Entertianment’. The track is a free-spirited rock number that speaks about life at a single glance and the concept of the second chance that life offers.This one is truly rocking and is soon headed to become the chant of generation next.

‘Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein’ comes across as a serene ballad number with Dominique Cerejo impressing with the very opening lines. The track slowly sinks into you and calls for a definite repeat value. The lyrics too are soothing. Another lovely track.

‘Zehreelay’ is a track that not many music directors would dare to explore. It takes you into the psychedelic realm and that too with Hindi. It just surprises you. New find Suraj Jaggan gives it all behind the mikes. This one is sure to find its place amongst the hard rock lovers.

‘Tum Ho Toh’ brings in Farhan once again for a soft rock enchanting experience. The lyrics are intensely romantic and prove to be the perfect track when in solitude.

‘Sindbad The Sailor’ brings across the long tales of Sindbad from our story books and Farhan narrates or rather sings it out to us. Raman Mahadevan of the ‘Hey Baby’ title blends in well with Farhan. This one may not be the best piece of the album but is quite interesting and is sure to provide for some good visuals.

Caralisa Monteiro goes old-school with the acoustic piano and the box guitar creating an enchanting experience. ‘Phir Dekhiye’ is not the finest piece of the album but the vocals and the lyrics draw you in.

‘Rock On!’ sums up to be a complete rocking experience and S-E-L ensure that this album lives up to the expectations and the title. Looks like they should add Farhan to the triumvirate. Don’t just download the music, go ahead and purchase a collector’s item. Worth it!