***MILD SPOILERS*** I am always remember that a Rajshiri Production was something to always look forward ever since I was introduced to the Indian cinema by Maine Pyar Kiya. This banners movie though not as polished as the Chopra's or Ghais's movies, they were very family orientated, well developed, had a good blend of comedy to serious moments and delivered good performances from actors.
However it seems that this time around Rajshiri, specifically Sooraj Barjatya has decided to break their tried-and-tested formula and go for a more modern movie. In doing so he has given us a movie that is unrealistic, far too long, not properly developed and annoying to watch.
Something that we had come to expect from this banner was the availability of pure family entertainment movies, but it seems that the director really wanted to go ultra modern in this flick and push the boundaries even further then other movies. First up there is the unnecessary under dressing of Kareena and friends (hey I do not mind seeing it, but what conservative Indian parent is going to let the daughter wear tank tops, strapless & backless tops and mini skirts?); then there is openness to talk about sex; it also seems family culture is thrown out the window (like any parents will let their daughter stay out till 2/3 am with a stranger); and finally there is the onscreen kissing (not that interesting when you watching it with elders!!)
Carrying on with the annoying bits, there are so many - where does one being: what is the deal with the animation? Was it really needed? The parrot was so annoying and not really needed. To make matters worse for the parrot, the subtitles (that were being provided in the UK) were so off the mark, an example, because the parrot quotes Indian movie titles he said 'Raja Hindustani' and the subtitle said 'Mr Wonderful' ? Moving on , then there is the dog Mr Johnny, again a reincarnation of the dog actions from 'The Mask'. One final annoying bit was that Sarooj decided to dump Alok Nath from this movie - he would have really suited the role of the father.
Drawing to the boundaries of idiocy, was the wonderful town that the characters lives in. It is meant to be a small village/town but it seems to boast a modern airport, infrastructure and hang outs of a city. In trying to develop modern characters it seems that director has created a town that is something found in a fiction novel. It would have to be considering that it has quick access to: mountains for skiing, ocean for deep sea diving, mountains for climbing, rivers for river rafting, long white sand beaches and ability for bungee jumping! Wow!!
Starting on the movie. It's a love story triangle with a new twist? Well not really, its same formula for two guys who have admiration for one another falling for the same girl. The Girl in question is Sanjana (Kareena Kapoor). She is meant to be modern, feisty strong headed girl who lives in a small town in India. Her parents are looking for a suitable match for their daughter, with the typical requirements of being rich, rich and rich. Sanjanas sister living in the US informs them that a well respected and rich boy who she has dealings with is coming to their town and he is interested in seeing Sanjana. Enter Hritik Roshan as Prem. Over a period of two weeks he manages to smitten the mum, dad, parrot, dog and friends. Also in this time he changes Sanjanas view from hating Prem to loving Prem. Then disaster strikes. It seems that this loving Prem was not the intended Prem. Enter Abishek as the intended Prem. Who just happens to be the boss of the loving Prem. Of course the loving Prem decides to abandon his love for his boss and runs away when he finds out that his boss also loves Sanjana. Ahhh. but don't worry all ends well as expected in Indian movies.
The cast and characterization would be described as mediocre at best. Karenna acting is what we have come to expect from her, the immortalization of Po from K3G. Her expressions are the same: her shocked look, her annoyed look and crying look. She really falls flat on her face when she has to act emotional. Then there is Hritik, who so wound me up with his acting that I would cringe every time he came on screen. His over the top acting reminded you of Salman Khans acting in Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, but at least it suited him then. It also seems that being so desperate for a hit, Hritik is desperate to draw on the female appeal by shedding his clothes for the first time in this movie. Finally there is Abishek. To be honest his character really grew on me and really thought he was good. It could be because placed next to the other two his was the only one that seemed good.
This movie would have been so much better if the right cast had been chosen. Sanjanas role had would have been better played by either Pretty Zinta or Rani Mukerjee. The love Prem would have been perfect with SRK and intended Prem with Aamir Khan. Then that would have been a movie worth watching.
I guess we can only hope that the next Rajshiri movie is worth waiting for.
However it seems that this time around Rajshiri, specifically Sooraj Barjatya has decided to break their tried-and-tested formula and go for a more modern movie. In doing so he has given us a movie that is unrealistic, far too long, not properly developed and annoying to watch.
Something that we had come to expect from this banner was the availability of pure family entertainment movies, but it seems that the director really wanted to go ultra modern in this flick and push the boundaries even further then other movies. First up there is the unnecessary under dressing of Kareena and friends (hey I do not mind seeing it, but what conservative Indian parent is going to let the daughter wear tank tops, strapless & backless tops and mini skirts?); then there is openness to talk about sex; it also seems family culture is thrown out the window (like any parents will let their daughter stay out till 2/3 am with a stranger); and finally there is the onscreen kissing (not that interesting when you watching it with elders!!)
Carrying on with the annoying bits, there are so many - where does one being: what is the deal with the animation? Was it really needed? The parrot was so annoying and not really needed. To make matters worse for the parrot, the subtitles (that were being provided in the UK) were so off the mark, an example, because the parrot quotes Indian movie titles he said 'Raja Hindustani' and the subtitle said 'Mr Wonderful' ? Moving on , then there is the dog Mr Johnny, again a reincarnation of the dog actions from 'The Mask'. One final annoying bit was that Sarooj decided to dump Alok Nath from this movie - he would have really suited the role of the father.
Drawing to the boundaries of idiocy, was the wonderful town that the characters lives in. It is meant to be a small village/town but it seems to boast a modern airport, infrastructure and hang outs of a city. In trying to develop modern characters it seems that director has created a town that is something found in a fiction novel. It would have to be considering that it has quick access to: mountains for skiing, ocean for deep sea diving, mountains for climbing, rivers for river rafting, long white sand beaches and ability for bungee jumping! Wow!!
Starting on the movie. It's a love story triangle with a new twist? Well not really, its same formula for two guys who have admiration for one another falling for the same girl. The Girl in question is Sanjana (Kareena Kapoor). She is meant to be modern, feisty strong headed girl who lives in a small town in India. Her parents are looking for a suitable match for their daughter, with the typical requirements of being rich, rich and rich. Sanjanas sister living in the US informs them that a well respected and rich boy who she has dealings with is coming to their town and he is interested in seeing Sanjana. Enter Hritik Roshan as Prem. Over a period of two weeks he manages to smitten the mum, dad, parrot, dog and friends. Also in this time he changes Sanjanas view from hating Prem to loving Prem. Then disaster strikes. It seems that this loving Prem was not the intended Prem. Enter Abishek as the intended Prem. Who just happens to be the boss of the loving Prem. Of course the loving Prem decides to abandon his love for his boss and runs away when he finds out that his boss also loves Sanjana. Ahhh. but don't worry all ends well as expected in Indian movies.
The cast and characterization would be described as mediocre at best. Karenna acting is what we have come to expect from her, the immortalization of Po from K3G. Her expressions are the same: her shocked look, her annoyed look and crying look. She really falls flat on her face when she has to act emotional. Then there is Hritik, who so wound me up with his acting that I would cringe every time he came on screen. His over the top acting reminded you of Salman Khans acting in Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, but at least it suited him then. It also seems that being so desperate for a hit, Hritik is desperate to draw on the female appeal by shedding his clothes for the first time in this movie. Finally there is Abishek. To be honest his character really grew on me and really thought he was good. It could be because placed next to the other two his was the only one that seemed good.
This movie would have been so much better if the right cast had been chosen. Sanjanas role had would have been better played by either Pretty Zinta or Rani Mukerjee. The love Prem would have been perfect with SRK and intended Prem with Aamir Khan. Then that would have been a movie worth watching.
I guess we can only hope that the next Rajshiri movie is worth waiting for.