Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost   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 Recommended Audience: General Film Released on: 22 August 2003 Reviewed by: Gaurav Malani  - Rating: 3.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Music Review

Cut in to rural Rajasthan where life is still devoid of electricity (as much as the movie´s 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 it´s 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 one´s 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.