Producer: Vicky Nihalani
Director: Apoorva Lakhiya
Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta, Chunkey Pandey, Aditya Lakhia, Yashpal, Daya Shankar Pandey, Akhilendra Mishra and Rageshwari
Music: Anu Malik, Ranjit Barot and Amar Mohile
Lyrics: Sameer
Genre: Emotional Social
Recommended Audience: General
Released on: August 22, 2003
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Reviewed by: Gaurav Malani
Reviewer's Rating: 3 out of 10
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Cut in to rural Rajasthan where life is still devoid of electricity (as much
as the movieīs script is devoid of sensibility). And wait! Before you expect any
social upliftment of the power-ridden villages, let me warn you that this is
just another aamir-ladki, garib-ladka cum baap-ka-badla plot.
Enter Kanji (Abhishek Bachchan), wrapped in
a black blanket despite the scorching desert heat, returning to his village
after a decade. Enter KC (Lara Dutta)
ostentatiously sporting low cut designer blouse, trendy lip-gloss, pierced belly
button, though her village is still at the dawn of development. And blame it to
the over-energetic film editor or the dozing script writer, but before you
realize the couple is already in love.
The village is finally gifted with electricity so itīs time for Kanji to gift
his grandpa with an idiot box. Enter two grimacely irritating, supposedly comic
characters, who ham outrageously with their attempts to ape what they see on TV
in their real lives. One obsessed with chipping moustaches and the other oneīs
slow motion act neither appear digestible nor evoke hilarity. Further too much
footage is undeservedly given to the idiot box proceedings. Moreover, one
wonders why redundant characters were forced in the narrative.
Like Monkey
(oops! Chunky-- Pandey) in the initial reels
and a news team headed by Raageshwari in the pre-climax who serve no purpose
except brand promoting BPL and STAR NEWS respectively.
The movie essentially bears a
Lagaan
hangover, which is evident through its supporting cast, crew, rural setup,
pre-battle song and Amitabh Bacchan voiceover. But unfortunately all this works
to its detriment as it belies the huge expectations that come along. And for the
director Apoorva Lakhia, who has assisted
biggies {in Bollywood - Mira Nair (Kamasutra),
Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan) as well as in
Hollywood - Ang Lee (The Ice Storm) and
Andrew Davis (The Perfect Murder), you
just wish that he remained a worthy assistant itself. The seriously sexy Lara
Dutta looks to help to play a village belle. As for Abhishek Bachchan, nothing
against his performance, but he desperately needs tips from father on choosing
movies to make his career go boom.
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