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BHOOL BHULAIYAA

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Shiny Ahuja, Vidya Balan, Manoj Joshi, Amisha Patel, Paresh Rawal, Manoj Joshi, Asrani
Directed by: Priyadashan
Music Director: Pritam

The film is the remake of a 14 year old Malayalam movie ‘Manichitrathazhu’ which was also remade in Kannada and Tamil. Badrinarayan Chaturvedi (Manoj Joshi) is the head of the Brahmin family living in a small town. His elder brother’s son Siddharth (Shiney Ahuja) and his wife Avni (Vidya Balan) return to their ancestral village after living in US for many years. Siddharth insists in staying in his ancestral palace which for long has been uninhabited as it’s considered to be haunted. Despite opposition the newly wed couple shifts to their ancestral mansion. Avni doesn’t believe in these rumors and passes it off as a grandmother’s tale. She enters the room and suddenly strange things begin to happen in the house. Is there really a ghost or is it a figment of their imagination or is someone playing a cruel joke? Badrinarayan’s daughter Radha (Amisha Patel) is accused of being the culprit and Siddharth decides to call on his psychiatrist friend Aditya (Akshay Kumar) to get to the bottom of things. What unfolds is something really unique and not what we generally witness in films with such plotlines. Watch Bhool Bhulaiyaa to uncover the mystery, for the movie ventures into one of the most confusing yet interesting study of human psychology.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa is not an out-n-out comedy movie as its trailers suggest. It’s a thriller narrated in a very entertaining way. A few changes have been made to the original, to make it funnier and more convincing. Priyadarshan manages to really send a shiver down your spine as well as evoke laughter striking a decent balance of both. The best part is that this film doesn’t belong to any particular actor (so much for Akshay cutting down other actor’s roles). The focus shifts to the different characters all the time so it does keep you guessing. The lead character (Akshay Kumar) enters 45 minutes into the movie and takes it to a completely different level. The second half is more of a psychological thriller. Bhool Bhulaiya has just the right ingredients of a successful movie - adequate amount of comedy, suspense and thrill to keep you at the edge of your seats throughout. Music is never really great in Priyadarshan movies but Bhool Bhulaiyaa is an exception. The background score is outstanding. The performances are top-notch. Vidya Balan is the rock-star of the film especially in the second half. She surprises you with another astounding performance. Akshay Kumar does well for himself though it’s not the best we have seen of him off late. Shiney Ahuja is good. Amisha Patel for a change has not going overboard like she does in all of her movies. One actor to look out for above the Paresh Rawals and the Asranis is Manoj Joshi. This is probably his career-best role and he pulls it off with great competence. Paresh Rawal makes you laugh at times but this is not the Paresh that we are accustomed to seeing in Priyadarshan movies. Ditto for Asrani who after tickling your funny bone in Dhamaal and Dhol disappoints. And finally one wonders why Rajpal Yadav takes up such kinds of miniscule non-sensical roles. He neither makes you laugh nor does he add much to the proceedings. History should repeat itself for a script that has always created history in every single language that it was made in.

Top5

JOHNNY GADDAAR

Starring: Dharmendra, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Rimi Sen, Zakir Hussain, Vinay Pathak, Daya Shetty
Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
Music by: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

The film borrows from James Hadley Chase novels and a vital scene from Navin Nischol starrer ‘Parwana’. The story starts with one of the gang members Seshadri [Dharmendra] getting an offer to make a fortune in four days. All the gang members [they're five in all] are up for it as this is the deal that will catapult them into the big league. The youngest member of the gang Vikram [Neil Nitin Mukesh] plans to disappear to some unknown city and start his own life with his love Mini [Rimi Sen], when a devilish thought crosses his mind. What if he grabs the entire jackpot? Vikram decides to double cross his partners. The beauty of the film lies in the fact that no one can predict what's in store next. Just when you think that the film would head left, it goes right, catching you completely unawares. And Raghavan continues to shock and startle you till the last frame. The viewer knows, at the very outset, who the actual gaddaar is, but his partners-in-crime don't. The gaddaar accidentally ends up eliminating every one in his gang. Just when you think that the gaddaar has removed the obstacles from his path, a gun shot is fired again there's yet another twist in the tale.

One would be doing gross injustice if one were to pinpoint any particular sequence that leaves an impact in this film but, yes, every murder that takes place remains etched in your memory even after the show has concluded. There're no distractions, no deviations, no sub-plots that get jarring thankfully. Cinematography is superb. The screenplay and dialogues are both flawless. Neil Nitin Mukesh carries off his part with dexterity and is a discovery in the true sense. Sure, he resembles Hrithik Roshan in looks, but he's a complete natural when it comes to acting. Dharmendra is in top form. Vinay Pathak continues to cement his status with every release. He's excellent. Zakir Hussain is fantastic. It's yet another superior performance from this supremely talented actor. Daya Shetty [who's thrown off the train] does well. Rimi Sen springs a pleasant surprise. She enacts a complex role with complete understanding. Ashwini Kalsekar [Vinay Pathak's wife] is exceptional. What a tremendous actress! Govind Namdeo is first-rate. Rasika Joshi [Daya Shetty's mother] is remarkable. On the whole, it is a taut thriller that has the germs to catch up with the audience.

Top5

LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG

Starring: Abhishek, Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen Sharma, Jaya Bachchan, Sushant Singh, Tinnu Anand
Directed by: Pradeep Sarkar
Music by: Shantanu Moitra

Badki [Rani Mukerji] and Chutki [Konkona Sen Sharma] live a fun-filled life in Banaras, playing pranks, sneaking off to see a forbidden mujra [Hema Malini, in a special appearance] and soaking up all the excitement that goes on the ghats of the Ganga. Badki is aware that the family is in dire straits, but she and her mother [Jaya Bachchan] protect Chutki at all costs. When things get worse, Badki decides to go to Mumbai and seek a living for the family. Alone and unsupported in the midst of the urban jungle of Mumbai, Badki battles with dark forces, keeping her focus on her purpose to support her family and continue Chutki's education. She deliberately morphs into someone else, leading a secret life full of murky compromises. When Chutki comes to Mumbai to work, things take a dramatic turn. Badki's life turns into a minefield, as she has to hide her secrets from Chutki. Chutki finds success at work and love that delights her heart. Badki finds the magic of love, but lets it slip away before it can blossom, as she believes it's not in her destiny. She battles menace and blackmail alone, not letting these dark shadows fall on Chutki or her family. But her dual life is revealed and the two sisters are face to face, in a confrontation neither had expected. And when love beckons Badki again, the whole family is thrown in a tumultuous storm. Everything threatens to explode in their faces, destroying all of them.

The film appeals in bits and spurts. It's well shot and is backed by striking performances, but the graph of the film lacks uniformity. Pradeep Sarkar knows how to make the frames look beautiful, but how one wishes he would've opted for an absorbing story and most importantly, stuck to the principal characters, instead of adding sub-plots. Cinematography is splendid. Dialogues deserve special mention. Shantanu Moitra's music is a mixed bag. It's a pleasure watching Rani in an author-backed role yet again. Konkona lends a lot of freshness to her character. Jaya Bachchan is superb. Abhishek Bachchan's extended special appearance makes no impact. Kunal Kapoor is likable. Anupam Kher is alright. Tinnu Anand and Sushant Singh suffer due to ill-defined roles. Kamini Kaushal, Murli Sharma, Harsh Chhaya, Tarana, Suchitra Pillai and Ninad Kamat enact their parts well. The film stands on a shaky script and has all chances of slipping, not consolidating its position.

Top5

DARLING

Starring: Fardeen Khan, Esha Deol, Isha Koppiker, Zakir Hussain, Upyendra Limaye, Nisha Kothari (item song)
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Music by: Pritam & Himesh Reshammiya

It's difficult to slot ‘Darling’ in any one category. It's eerie as well as humorous, it has the song-n-dance routine well knitted in the plot. Actually, the film is a novel experience since Hindi films have rarely combined horror and comedy - two diverse ingredients - in one film. Aditya [Fardeen Khan] is living every man's dream. He's got a beautiful wife [Isha Koppikar] at home and a stunning wildcat girlfriend Gita [Esha Deol] at work. Balancing the two women with clever lies, he gets to experience the best of both worlds. Aditya is cornered when Gita shocks him with the news that she is pregnant. He has to confess to her that he cannot leave his wife as he has been promising her all along. His girlfriend is devastated. A brutal fight ensues, in which she accidentally dies. Terrified, Aditya disposes off her body and returns home. For the nightmare has only just begun. As Gita is back as a ghost.

DARLING may not be amongst RGV's finest works, but it does rank among his better films. Amit Roy's cinematography is splendid. The background score [Prasanna Shekar] is effective. Himesh Reshammiya and Pritam's music is excellent in almost every track.

Fardeen Khan's improvised Hindi diction and refined acting skills are well coordinated with his impressive looks. Esha Deol is excellent in a role that's nothing short of a challenge. This should be the turning point in her career. Isha Koppikar doesn't have much to do in the first half, but more than makes her presence felt in the second hour. Upendra Limaye as a cop is fantastic. And so is his colleague [a character called Malati]. Zakir Hussain is superb. The USP of Darling is its unpredictability. Had it been an out-and-out horror flick, you'd have guessed the sequence of events sooner or later. Had it been the story of a man torn between two women, again, it wouldn't have taken much time to guess what's in store next. But RGV steers clear of predictable stuff from the start itself.

Top5

DHAMAAL
 
Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh, Javed Jaffery, Ashish Choudhary, Asrani
Director: Indra Kumar
Music: Adnan Sami

Backed by some of the best comic actors in the country, the regular Hindi film buff expectations would be high before watching this film. Adi (Arshad Warsi), Manav (Javed Jaffery), Roy (Riteish Deshmukh) and Boman (Ashish Choudhary) are four friends without jobs. Trying their luck with con-jobs, they run away from the cops after they come across a car accident. The man in the car Bose (Prem Chopra) reveals in his dying breath of a treasure he had hidden in Goa. Immediately after his death enters Inspector Kabir (Sanjay Dutt) who wants to know the whereabouts of the treasure from the foursome but they manage to escape. Now all the five are after the treasure and joined by Boman’s father Nari Contractor (Asrani), they all make their way to Goa. What follows is a complete comedy of errors.

Dhamaal is probably the best title director Indra Kumar and his team of writers could have come up with. It’s not trying hard to make you laugh, it makes you laugh hard.

The second half of the film slows down a bit though it’s not a complete damper. Indra Kumar is back once again with another comedy and its works big time. Adnan Sami’s music is just about ok. Watch out for Javed Jaffery. He is one of the prime reasons of getting everyone in trouble; his character is sketched with perfection. Riteish Deshmukh follows up his Heyy Babyy act with this one and we all know what his comic capabilities are and the same goes for Arshad Warsi as well. Ashish Choudhary teams up with Asrani & the two show us the most hilarious father-son chemistry. Sanjay Dutt as Kabir is quite good though you feel he does the same thing in comedy and in serious films as well. The other characters Sanjay Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Prem Chopra, Suhasini Mulay, Tiku Talsania, Murli Sharma and Vijay Raaz do a very good job. Dhamaal has big cast, big budget and big comedy compared to Indra Kumar’s last film ‘Pyare Mohan’.
 

Top5

RGV Ki AAG
 
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal, Ajay Devgan, Prashant Raj, Sushmita Sen, Nisha Kothari
Direction: Ram Gopal Varma
Music by: Amar Mohile, Nitin Raikwar, Ganesh Hegde & Prasana Shekhar

In the dark underbelly of Mumbai city, a new leader Babban [Amitabh Bachchan] has risen to rule the underworld. He is cruel beyond imagination, psychologically violent and far more devious than any gangster the city has ever known. Nobody has ever seen him and if they did, they didn't survive to tell the tale. But Inspector Narsimha [Mohanlal] has a single-minded determination to finish Babban. He hires two goons (Heero and Raj) to settle scores with the gangster.

The film is Sholay, yet different. Sure, the story is the same, but the setting and interpretation of the story are different, very contemporary. As a storyteller, the RGV stamp is visible in a couple of sequences. RGV remains faithful to the classic, not once does he deviate from the plot, not once does he twists facts… you know exactly what to expect and where the story is heading. The film does justice to Jai, Veeru, Thakur, Basanti and above all Gabbar characters, especially Gabbar, who wore a sinister look on his face all the while. After a mesmeric first half, the pace suddenly slackens in the post-interval portions. In fact, the second hour should be judiciously trimmed by at least 20/25 minutes so that the events unfold at a feverish pace. Amit Roy's cinematography is outstanding. Dialogues by Sajid-Farhad are in sync with the mood of the film. Besides, the writers haven't lifted any of those legendary lines but provide interesting alternatives. Action scenes by Pradhyumna cater more to the desi audiences. There aren't many songs in the narrative. The song that deserves 10 on 10 is 'Mehbooba'. The track is foot-tapping; Urmila's and Abhishek's appearance sets the screen ablaze. Bachchan as Babban is exemplary. The veteran has portrayed a variety of roles in his illustrious career now adds Babban to this enviable list! Mohanlal is topnotch. He matches up to Bachchan in every sequence. Ajay Devgan is competent and balances the mischievous streak with the serious one with ease. Newcomer Prashant Raj does very well. He stands up to the veterans and looks confident all through. Sushmita Sen is restrained. Her performance is perfect. Nisha Kothari does well in her introductory sequence and maintains the pace all through. Sushant Singh is first-rate. Rajpal Yadav irritates. Virendra Saxena is okay. But the film will find the going tough in the wake of its comparisons with the mighty Sholay.

Top5

HEYY BABYY
 
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan, Boman Irani & Vidya Balan
Directed by: Sajid Khan
Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Three bachelors -- Aroush [Akshay Kumar], Tanmay [Ritesh Deshmukh] and Ali [Fardeen Khan] -- are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They suddenly find their dating and mating rituals irreparably destroyed when a dimpled little Baby who lands up on their doorstep. Aroush, Tanmay and Ali know a thing or two about women, but when it comes to babies, they're total zeroes. The Angel works her charm and before long, the three bachelors have been transformed into caring fathers. But beautiful Esha [Vidya Balan] will have none of it. She has known heart break once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who've finally discovered they possess one, then too bad!

Sajid Khan is a skilled storyteller. Although he's known for impromptu, funny one-liners, it's the handling of the emotional moments in the enterprise that catches you by complete surprise. Akshay, Fardeen and Ritesh have been a part of comic capers in the past, but after having watched this trio in this film, not once do you feel that they're repeating themselves. It also works because the script is believable and the journey from is well structured. Of course, there're minor aberrations, but the finale packs in a solid punch.
The screenplay by Sajid Khan, Milap Zaveri hits a high note in the first hour, but should've been as cohesive in the second hour as well. Dialogues by Milap Zaveri are simple; Cinematography by Himman Dhamija] is good quality. The stunning locales of Sydney look equally striking on screen. Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is a mix of peppy and melodious numbers that stand out. Akshay is in terrific form. This role offers him ample scope to go beyond the comic roles he specializes in. this performance should find a prominent place in his repertoire. Fardeen springs a surprise & handles his part confidently. Ritesh is so comfortable in light roles that even if he sleepwalks, he'd make you giggle. Vidya Balan is superb. Not only does she looks bewitching, but also enacts her part with amazing ease. Boman Irani doesn't get much footage, but makes his presence felt. The baby is simply adorable. On the whole, the film is an entertainer that has something for everyone.

Top5

MARIGOLD
 
Starring: Salman Khan, Ali Larter, Nandana Sen, Gulshan Grover, Ian Bohen, Simone Singh,Vikas Bhalla, Suchitra Pillai
Direction: Willard Carroll
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

The movie is about a B grade Hollywood actress Ali carter flies to Goa, India to do a role in Kamasutra 3, but the movie is sacked and the actress is left stranded in Goa. But the production assistant of the movie Suchitra Pillai helps her and offers to give a lift to her till Mumbai but after meeting her boyfriend who is working on the shoot of a Bollywood movie. Carter woos everyone in the sets including the director who agrees to give a role in his Bollywood musical but asks Carter to dance, which he doesn’t know. Enter Salman Khan the Choreographer of the movie, He teaches her the moves and also ends up losing his heart to her and vise versa, even though Carter is having a boyfriend. After a few dance routines Salman asks Carter for a date and tells her that he is a Prince in Rajasthan. Carter follows him to his palace in Rajasthan where Salman’s sister’s marriage is taking place. Everyone loves Carter and suddenly enter Nandana Sen who has been fixed to Salman Khan from their childhood and you begin to fell the trappings of a regular love triangle but adding to the confusion Barry, Carter’s Boyfriend also comes to Rajasthan in search of her. So whose Wishes will come true and whose won’t forms the rest of this predictable story.

Director Willard Carroll, drags us to join this so called adventure which is hardly an excuse of a movie. Acting wise Salman Khan doesn’t have much to do as he lazes through the scenes and anyone who has seen a Salman Khan movie will be able to guess how convincing he will look as a choreographer. Salman is terrible in the dances as usual but at the same time he looks handsome and girls are sure to drool over his looks. Carter the protagonist does a good job and looks ravishing. Suchitra Pillai does her role with élan. There is no other character which stands in mind worth referring. Gulshan Grover is totally wasted. Music from Shankar Ehsaan and Loy is ok but nothing that lingers in the mind. The choreography is done to suit Salman Khan. The only saving grace of the movie was the neat cinematography, as Rajasthan never looked so beautiful. On the whole thanks for the director for making it a short movie.

Top5

CHAK DE INDIA
 
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Malvade, Tanya Abrol, Sandia Furtado, Lalhmingkimi Khiangte
Directed by: Shimit Amin
Music: Salim Merchant

It isn't unconventional as such, but it's definitely different and awe inspiring at times. Kabir Khan [Shah Rukh Khan] knows what it's like to come back from the dead. The ex Indian Captain has now come back in the avatar of the Coach of the Indian Women's National Hockey team. A team that exists more on paper and less in reality. The girls have never known the thrilling energy of being Team India. Of giving their all to see their country's name on a trophy. But Kabir Khan, once a captain, now forgotten, does. He knows what it takes to get there. And what it means to return empty handed. This time, he wants to make sure that it's different. He knows there are no second chances. Despite his past, he believes that if only the girls played as one, anything would be possible. Because Kabir Khan believes that it is not that we can't win. It's just that we have never believed we can. It is the story of a coach's fight of making his team, Team India by overcoming their diverse backgrounds, by learning to use everything that life hurls on them as a secret weapon.

The film has all the right elements mixed -- satirical comedy, seriousness and dollops of emotions. In fact, the first half is quite captivating and the expectations from the latter half are equally high. In the post-interval portions the pace slackens and the goings-on take a long time to reach the finale. In fact, the narrative gathers steam only towards the climax, which is well handled. Shimit Amin's choice of the subject as also the execution deserves to be lauded. Cinematography is first-rate. The background score is excellent and not just adds life to the already lively screenplay by Jaideep Sahni. SRK is the soul of the film. What you see on screen would be half of what it is without this matchless actor. He makes you feel what you are supposed to feel. A performance that's sure to go down as one of his finest works so far. As for the girls, well they are the face of the entire film. Even the word 'brilliant' would be an understatement. Each delivers their unique performance in style. All have a special place but it was Chitrashi Rawat as Komal Chautala, Shilpa Shukla as Bindia Naik, Tanya Abrol as Balbir Kaur, and Sagarika Ghatge as Preeti Sabarwal, who were the lifeline of the film. Vidya Malavade as Vidya Sharma has also sketched her role beautifully. So, go ahead, treat yourself to a Bollywood bonanza, which doesn't come everyday.

Top5

GANDHI MY FATHER
 
Starring: Akshaye Khanna, Darshan Jariwala, Shefali Shah, Bhumika Chawla
Directed by: Feroz Abbas Khan
Background score by: Piyush Kanojia

Gandhi once said: "The greatest regret of my life-Two people I could never convince -My Muslim friend Mohamed Ali Jinnah and My own son Harilal Gandhi." Somewhere in the shadows of a great man [Mahatma Gandhi] lived his son [Harilal Gandhi], roaming the streets of India like a beggar. Converting to Islam as a rebellion, reconverting to Hinduism as a penance and finally drinking himself to death. Mahatma Gandhi could transform the soul of a nation, but could not save the soul of his own son. The film unfolds a personal tragedy about a principled father and an unfortunate son. It tells the story of Harilal and the relationship he shared with his parents, more particularly with his father, the great Mahatma. The story is not about the freedom movement and the pivotal role played by the Mahatma, but it highlights the sensitive relationship between a father and son.

The storyteller recreates the era with flourish, not once deviating from the core issue. Making a film based on true events is difficult. Not only does it entail lots of research, but to recreate the bygone era and get the right set of actors to enact the characters is another challenge. It's all the more tough if the film is based on Mahatma Gandhi. And a far bigger challenge is to present the relationship shared by the Mahatma and his son Harilal. Everyone knows about Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, but not much is known about him as a father to his children. Director Feroz Abbas Khan unfolds the film the most simplistic, but compelling manner. Since the director is talking history, he ought to do the balancing act well. He reproduces facts without resorting to cinematic liberties and at the same time, simplifies everything so that the viewer can decipher it well. It is a landmark film in all respects, highlighting a scene or two would be doing gross injustice to the film. Every sequence has the power to keep you hooked and most importantly, carries the stamp of a genius. David Macdonald's cinematography is superb especially the B and W grainy frames that compliment the actual footage. The production design by Nitin Chandrakant Desai transports you to the early 20th century. Make-up by Penny Smith looks so real. Costumes by Sujata Sharma suit the theme well. Background score by Piyush Kanojia is appropriate. Akshaye Khanna is extraordinary in the role of Harilal. He portrays the varied emotions -angst, sorrow, anger, frustration, love -- with great understanding and maturity and comes up with his career-best work. Darshan Jariwala as Mahatma Gandhi is another great performance you carry home. Although a number of seasoned actors have portrayed the part of Mahatma Gandhi on the big screen but Darshan's performance easily ranks amongst the best. Shefali Shah deserves the highest marks. Bhumika Chawla portions with Harilal mainly are well enacted. The film is a treat for movie lovers.

Top5

GANDHI MY FATHER
 
Starring: Akshaye Khanna, Darshan Jariwala, Shefali Shah, Bhumika Chawla
Directed by: Feroz Abbas Khan
Background score by: Piyush Kanojia

Gandhi once said: "The greatest regret of my life-Two people I could never convince -My Muslim friend Mohamed Ali Jinnah and My own son Harilal Gandhi." Somewhere in the shadows of a great man [Mahatma Gandhi] lived his son [Harilal Gandhi], roaming the streets of India like a beggar. Converting to Islam as a rebellion, reconverting to Hinduism as a penance and finally drinking himself to death. Mahatma Gandhi could transform the soul of a nation, but could not save the soul of his own son. The film unfolds a personal tragedy about a principled father and an unfortunate son. It tells the story of Harilal and the relationship he shared with his parents, more particularly with his father, the great Mahatma. The story is not about the freedom movement and the pivotal role played by the Mahatma, but it highlights the sensitive relationship between a father and son.

The storyteller recreates the era with flourish, not once deviating from the core issue. Making a film based on true events is difficult. Not only does it entail lots of research, but to recreate the bygone era and get the right set of actors to enact the characters is another challenge. It's all the more tough if the film is based on Mahatma Gandhi. And a far bigger challenge is to present the relationship shared by the Mahatma and his son Harilal. Everyone knows about Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, but not much is known about him as a father to his children. Director Feroz Abbas Khan unfolds the film the most simplistic, but compelling manner. Since the director is talking history, he ought to do the balancing act well. He reproduces facts without resorting to cinematic liberties and at the same time, simplifies everything so that the viewer can decipher it well. It is a landmark film in all respects, highlighting a scene or two would be doing gross injustice to the film. Every sequence has the power to keep you hooked and most importantly, carries the stamp of a genius. David Macdonald's cinematography is superb especially the B and W grainy frames that compliment the actual footage. The production design by Nitin Chandrakant Desai transports you to the early 20th century. Make-up by Penny Smith looks so real. Costumes by Sujata Sharma suit the theme well. Background score by Piyush Kanojia is appropriate. Akshaye Khanna is extraordinary in the role of Harilal. He portrays the varied emotions -angst, sorrow, anger, frustration, love -- with great understanding and maturity and comes up with his career-best work. Darshan Jariwala as Mahatma Gandhi is another great performance you carry home. Although a number of seasoned actors have portrayed the part of Mahatma Gandhi on the big screen but Darshan's performance easily ranks amongst the best. Shefali Shah deserves the highest marks. Bhumika Chawla portions with Harilal mainly are well enacted. The film is a treat for movie lovers.

Top5

PARTNER

Starring: Salman Khan, Lara Dutta, Govinda, Katrina Kaif, Dilip Tahil, Rajpal Yadav
Directed by: David Dhawan
Music by: Sajid-Wajid

Inspired by director Andy Tennant's Hollywood hit film Hitch [2005], Partner is a true-blue David Dhawan film. Prem [Salman Khan] is a 'date doctor' who, for a fee, has helped hundreds of men woo the women of their dreams. He understands woman's likes and dislikes in food, clothes or men. His aim is to help those men who like or love women. The ultimate bachelor, Prem discovers that his tried and tested tricks are no match for Naina [Lara Dutta], the one woman he truly loves. Naina works for a newspaper as a journalist. He comes across Bhaskar [Govinda], who is in love with Priya [Katrina Kaif], the rich and famous daughter of a tycoon [Dilip Tahil]. Prem helps Govinda find his lady love and eventually also finds a soul mate in Naina.

Partner is for those seeking non-stop entertainment. The film has glossy & stunning visuals. Although the romantic portions have the right chemistry between Salman and Lara and Govinda and Katrina, the USP is undoubtedly the terrific bonding between Salman and Govinda, whose on-screen escapades take the film to dizzier heights. The witty one-liners written by Sanjay Chhel has viewer in splits. The dialogues are truly funny and actually accentuate the impact of every sequence. David Dhawan is on familiar ground and like a seasoned cricketer knows the game inside out. Sajid-Wajid make a terrific comeback, with their music. Choreography by Bosco-Caesa & cinematography by Johny Lal is excellent. The question is who steals the show? Actually both! Salman performs like never before. He packs in a solid punch whenever he's on screen. Govinda sets the screen blazing with an incredible performance. Those who felt that he's a spent force will have to eat back their words. Lara Dutta looks gorgeous and pairs off very well with Salman. Katrina Kaif looks gorgeous and pitches in a natural performance. Rajpal Yadav is really funny. Puneet Issar is alright. Dilip Tahil is okay. Suresh Menon is excellent. Child artiste Ali Haji confidence is astonishing. The film is a laugh-riot that will have the viewers laughing all the way.

Top5

NAQAAB

Starring: Urvashi Sharma, Bobby Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Vikas Kalantri, Vishal Malhotra
Directed by: Abbas-Mustan
Music by: Pritam

This is the most shocking thriller of the year. Sophie [Urvashi Sharma] is a young girl from a middle-class family who is engaged to millionaire Karan [Bobby Deol]. When she meets Vicky [Akshaye Khanna], she's attracted to him and problems begin to surface. The focus of the film also shifts to the past of the three characters, with some unexpected elements thrown in. Who does Urvashi choose?

The general perception is the story bears a striking similarity to the recently released Raqeeb [which, in turn, was inspired by Murder by Natural Causes 1979 -- a lesser known English film]. In fact, the concept of the film is completely fresh. The moments between Akshaye and Urvashi are superb, the chemistry is sizzling, so vital for sequences that are to follow. The only time the film begins to stagnate is in its second hour, when the knots begin to disentangle but the climax does a volte face again. The suspense catches you by surprise! Abbas-Mustan have mastered the art of making thrillers and although Naqaab isn't as compelling as their earlier products, there's no denying that the highs outnumber the lows in this case. Pritam's music gels well with the mood of the film. Editing by Hussain Burmawala is perfect. The film belongs to Akshaye, who delivers yet another powerful performance. Bobby is relegated to the backseat in the first hour, but manages to make his presence felt in the second half. Urvashi Sharma gets a dream launch and she utilizes the golden opportunity completely. A confident debutante, she enacts her part like a seasoned professional. Vikas Kalantri and Vishal Malhotra are adequate.

Top5

AAP KA SUROOR

Starring: Himesh Reshammiya, Mallika Sherawat, Hansika Motwani, Darshan Jariwala, Sachin Khedekar, Raj Babbar
Directed by: Prashant Chadha
Music by: Himesh Reshammiya

TV journo Nadia Merchant is found murdered in Germany. Soon after, HR (Himesh Reshammiya) is arrested. HR is put behind bars and the incidents begin to unravel as the movie goes into a flashback. While on a concert in Germany, HR meets the event organizer Khurana [Darshan Jariwala] and his partner Ruby [Mallika Sherawat]. He also meets the event planner Ria [Hansika Motwani] and its love at first sight. Love blossoms. After initial reservations, Hansika's father [Sachin Khedekar] approves of the match. Things take a turn when HR is arrested. He asks Mallika, also a lawyer, to bail him out. But Mallika is in love with HR, but the rockstar loves Hansika. He escapes from his prison cell after taking the murdered TV journalist's father Merchant [Raj Babbar] as captive. He has to find the actual murderer in one single day, or else his sweetheart will be married off to someone else.

The film starts off as a love story, but gets into the thriller drive subsequently. A key factor that goes in its favor is that the events unfold at a feverish pace, giving no time to the viewer to think or break into a yawn. Besides, the film bears a stylish look and the viewer is enamored by the stunning locales of Germany as also the melodious musical score that has been filmed on some striking locations. But the screenplay acts as an eyesore. Director Prashant Chadha knows the technicalities right but he should've been a bit more real and believable as far as the scripting is concerned. HR is in form as a composer and every song is a musical gem. Cinematography by Manoj Soni is superb.

HR looks confident all through, although he depicts emotions like anger, anguish and sadness far more effectively towards the post-interval portions. Although Hansika’s done a few films as a child artiste, she makes her big screen debut with supreme confidence. Mallika Sherawat is interesting, although her switchover [from negative to positive] looks abrupt and artificial. Shravan as HR's friend, excels. The superb promotion has created tremendous excitement for the film, which will result in the box-office singing a glorious tune in the final tally..

Top5

APNE

Starring: Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Shilpa Shetty, Katrina Kaif, Kirron Kher, Victor Banerjee, Divya Dutta, Luca
Directed by: Anil Sharma
Music by: Himesh Reshammiya

Baldev Singh Choudhary [Dharmendra] won a silver medal in the Olympics and made India proud. His only dream was to make history by becoming India's first World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. When in the U.S., fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship, the betting mafia conspires against him to gets doping charges leveled against him which leads to ban from boxing. Baldev wants to get rid of this stigma and pain by training his elder son Angad [Sunny Deol] in boxing. He wants him to win World Heavyweight Champion and create history which eluded him. But Angad has some other dreams and aspirations. Karan [Bobby Deol], the younger son, a musician, in spite of wanting to fulfill his father's dreams, is helpless. But the story takes a turn when Karan decides to live his father's dream. The situation spirals out of hand subsequently…

APNE grips you gradually. The uneasy relationship shared by the father and son [Dharmendra, Sunny], Dharmendra's failed ambition, the turning point in the tale [when Bobby steps in to fulfill his father's dreams] make the goings-on watchable. The narrative only gets absorbing when the focus shifts to the boxing ring and the opponent [Luca] steps into the picture. The choreography in the boxing ring is so real that it can be off-putting as well, especially for the faint-hearted. Director Anil Sharma handles the emotional sequences brilliantly. Screenplay by Neeraj Pathak is taut, except for a few loose ends. Himesh Reshammiya's music is a complete letdown. Kabir Lal's cinematography is topnotch. APNE belongs to Dharmendra. The veteran proves yet again that he's a magnificent actor. Sunny is first-rate. Bobby is alright. The leading ladies don't have much to do. Shilpa at least gets a few scenes, while Katrina is there to flutter her eyelashes only. Kirron Kher is superb yet again. Divya Dutta is wasted. Victor Banerjee is natural. Luca is excellent. The film is rich in emotions and has the potential to strike a chord with families.
 

Top5

RAQEEB

Starring: Sharman Joshi, Rahul Khanna, Jimmy Shergill, Tanushree Dutta, Vivek Shauq
Directed by: debutante Anurag Singh

Remo [Rahul Khanna] is the owner of a renowned software company. Remo's parents had died in a car crash when he was a child. Siddharth [Sharman Joshi] is his employee and his only friend. Siddharth is the exact opposite of Remo who is shy, introvert and asthmatic. Siddharth constantly pesters Remo to socialize. one day, Siddharth plays a prank and sets Remo up for a blind date. Remo meets Sofie [Tanushree Dutta], a theatre actress and after a misunderstanding falls in love with her. Everything is perfect until Remo and Sofie discover that her parents died in the same car crash. Sofie realizes that Remo's parents were responsible for the death of her parents. Remo doesn't know how to deal with this tragic discovery but Siddharth persuades him to propose to Sofie. He proposes and after the initial hesitation, Sofie accepts. Remo and Sofie get married. Sunny [Jimmy Shergill] is a struggling actor who is in love with Sofie. But Sofie always desired a luxurious life which Sunny was unable to provide. When Sunny and Sofie meet again, the old love is rekindled. Thus begins a torrid affair between them. Tired of having to meet secretly, they plan to kill Remo. They plan to hide Remo's asthma medicine which will aggravate his asthma. Once the asthma attack occurs, Sunny will pretend to shoot Remo with fake bullets so as to aggravate his condition further, eventually leading to death. The post mortem will reveal that Remo died of natural causes and hence, no one will be suspected of any foul play. On the D-day, Sunny comes to Remo's house to execute the plan. But there is another twist in the tale. Sofie double crosses Sunny and he is arrested and accused of Remo's murder. But there's more to this story…

Raqeeb peels off the mask of the scheming wife much before the intermission card is flashed on the screen. The reason why this film works is because everyone's playing games here. That makes it extremely difficult for the viewer to guess the prime suspect -- the manipulative and scheming mind. Debutante director Anurag Singh succeeds in presenting an unconventional theme with care. The idea of an ambitious woman in a relationship with three men at the same time is undoubtedly interesting. In terms of execution, Anurag handles the drama well, building the suspense beautifully. Pritam's music is foot-tapping. The locales of Thailand are striking. Dialogues are well worded at places. The film belongs to Sharman Joshi, who is evolving into a powerful actor. He slips into the role effortlessly and looks natural. Rahul Khanna is perfect as the suave tycoon. Jimmy does a worthy job. Tanushree Dutta enacts her part very well, expressing a lot through her eyes. Although her makeup and outfits continue to be atrocious. Vishwajeet Pradhan and Rekha Rao are wasted. Vivek Shauq provides the much-needed light moments.

Top5

JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM

Starring: Abhishek, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol, Lara Dutta, Amitabh Bachchan
Directed by: Shaad Ali
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

It's not one of those conventional love story that have the lovers drifting apart or a misunderstanding creating havoc in their lives but a collage of interesting moments. Don't look for a story in the film. It is all gloss but no substance- Body beautiful minus soul. Busy London station. Delayed train from Birmingham. Two strangers waiting for the train... Rikki Thukral [Abhishek Bachchan], born in Bhatinda, living in London; and Alvira Khan [Preity Zinta], more Brit than the Queen herself, however with Lahori blood in her veins. Crowded café. One table to share. Two hours to kill. Perfect setting for the start of a love-story. Both Rikki and Alvira are engaged and have come to pick up their fiancés, who are coming by the same train. To kill time, they end up telling each other their “how I met my fiancé” stories. Rikki met his fiancé Anaida [Lara Dutta] at The Ritz, Paris. Alvira discovers her prince at Madame Tussaud's. When a gigantic wax model of Superman falls from the ceiling, Alvira is a sitting target. But Steve [Bobby Deol], a lawyer by profession, saves her life and steals her heart. Stories unfold, time passes, and the two strangers start enjoying each other. Actually, they have gotten alarmingly attracted to each other!

Director Shaad Ali has handled a number of sequences well. Writer Habib Faisal's screenplay is as taxing. The director and writer have substituted the script with stunning visuals. But that's no compensation. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is quite good. Cinematography is exceptional. You are awe-struck by the stunning locales of U.K. and France. Choreography [Vaibhavi Merchant] is different, but Abhishek carries it off very well. Aki Narula's costumes are smashing. You are hooked to the performances of Abhishek and Preity mainly. Abhishek is in terrific form. It wouldn't be erroneous to state that his performance makes the goings-on watchable at times. A lesser actor would've fallen flat on his face in the absence of a cohesive script. Preity is lovely and takes to her character like a fish to water. Bobby is relegated to the backseat. Lara Dutta is confident, though she's not in the forefront either. Amitabh Bachchan adds to star-value. He only appears in one song, flashed throughout the movie.

Top5

CHEENI KUM

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Tabu, Zohra Seghal. Swini Khara, Paresh Rawal
Direction: R.Balki
Music: Illayaraja

Budhadev (Amitabh Bachchan) runs Spice 6 a popular Indian restaurant in London. The old bachelor lives with his mother (Zohra Seghal) and is unmarried. His only friend and confidante is his 9-year-old neighbour -- Sexy [Swini Khara] who is terminally ill but full of life and is eager to watch adult DVDs. Proud of his profession and the reputation of his restaurant, the crisp and sarcastic bachelor brooks no nonsense and is a stickler to quality. Energised by the myopia of his self assessment he believes he makes the best Indian food. All is fine until the illusion gets a beating from a visiting Indian customer Neena (Tabu) who refuses to swallow the Hyderabadi Zafrani Biryani. His professional skills challenged, Buddha takes on Neena but is soon made to eat genuine Zafrani Biryani. The start with hate relationship between the 64 year old hotelier and the 34 year old software engineer grows slowly but steadily and surely towards matrimony. While Mama (Zohra) is surely excited about it, back home Neena’s dad Omprakash Verma (Paresh Rawal), a few years younger in age to the suitor is unwilling and takes to satyagrah to oppose the impending marriage. In this world all are made of stern stuff and Neena takes on her father till he finally agrees. How is what the second half of the film is while the first is an absolutely classy build up on the relationship between the two principle players.

Director Balki shows a flair for light entertainers and the execution of certain sequences is commendable. P.C. Sreeram's cinematography is splendid. Ilaiyaraaja's musical score is soothing. The title track is soft on your ear drums. Chandan Arora's editing could've been sharper. Amitabh Bachchan proves his supremacy yet again. Playing an arrogant chef, the actor is natural all through, but his performance in the finale makes the character all the more believable. Tabu stands on her feet despite a formidable co-star's domineering presence. She's excellent. Paresh Rawal is only adding to his credibility with every film. Zohra Sehgal is adorable. Swini Khara is supremely confident.

Top5

FOOL ‘N’ FINAL

Starring: Shahid Kapur, Ayesha Takia, Gulshan Grover, Paresh Rawal, Arbaaz Khan Vivek Oberoi, Sunny Deol Zakir Hussain Asrani
Directed by: Ahmed Khan
Music by: Himesh Reshammiya

The film is about a diamond that's robbed by Chunkey Pandey in Mumbai and smuggled to Dubai. Chunkey's uncle Choksey (Gulshan Grover)] is a don based in London, he asks Chunkey to sell the diamond to his accomplice Lalvani (Asrani) in Dubai. Moscow Chikna (Arbaaz Khan), a don based in Dubai, gets to know of the diamond and also of Chunkey's weaknesses -- guns and gambling. Arbaaz asks Choubey (Paresh Rawal) to carry out the robbery with his niece Tina, (Ayesha Takia), her boyfriend Raja (Shahid Kapoor) and a cabbie [Johnny Lever]. Luckee (Vivek Oberoi) owes money to a JD (Zakir Hussain), who conducts illegal boxing matches in Dubai. Meanwhile, Chunkey calls Moscow Chikna, who in turn asks Chunkey for a favor: Chunkey should bet on his behalf at JD's illegal den. On Moscow Chikna's instructions, Choubey, Tina, Raja and Johnny decide to kidnap Chunkey. Munna (Sunny Deol) has an altercation with Luckee's fighter. JD asks Luckee to bring Munna for the big fight & he knocks down JD's fighter. In the meanwhile, Moscow Chikna walks away with the diamond. JD walks in and demands the diamond from Choubey and gang. Choksey & Lalvani also land up at Chobey's place with Jackie and ask for the diamond.

The film is meant to be a laughathon, but it excites in bits and spurts. It has too many cooks spoil the broth. In this case, with so many characters around and so many stories running concurrently, the writers haven’t been able to do justice to each of them. Every sub-plot isn't as interesting as the Paresh - Johnny track. Director Ahmed Khan tries to pack just about everything. Himesh Reshammiya's music is in sync with the mood of the film. Cinematography [Johny Lal] is excellent. Dialogues are witty at places. The film has a host of actors, but the ones who stand out are Johnny Lever and Paresh Rawal. Johnny is in form after a long, long time and Paresh together with him elevates the film to a major extent. Shahid Kapoor is noticeable but Ayesha Takia doesn't have much to do really. Sunny Deol is okay, Vivek Oberoi hams in the little role that he has. Sharmila Tagore is wasted. Om Puri deserved a better deal. Jackie Shroff is hardly there. Chunky Pandey is passable. Ditto for Arbaaz Khan. Zakir Hussain does well. Gulshan Grover, Asrani, Vijay Raaz, Razzak Khan and Suresh Menon are mere gap fillers. The film is all gloss no substance.

Top5

SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Viveik Oberoi, Suneil Shetty, Tusshar Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Neha Dhupia
Directed by: Approva Lakhia
Music by: Anand Raaj Anand

It is the story of a top cop [Sanjay Dutt], who along with Kaviraj Patil [Suniel Shetty] and Javed Shaikh [Arbaaz Khan] eliminates the trigger-happy gangsters in a residential locality of Mumbai. Maya [Vivek Oberoi], who made extortion the buzzword in the early 90s, dared to disobey the 'Big Bhai' of the underworld and fought back a posse of policemen for six hours.

The film is raw and crude would be an understatement. The subject demands that kind of a treatment and director Apoorva Lakhia executes it accordingly. The film is interesting in parts, but the best is reserved for the finale. It takes time to absorb a film like this because the film goes back and forth before focusing on the main incident. The initial portions depict rise of Maya and his gang, are difficult to comprehend at first. But, gradually, the viewer is sucked into a world that sent shivers down the spine in the 1990s. Thankfully, the film doesn't turn out to be one of those docu-dramas that depict the rise and fall of a gangster. Neither is it an extension of 'cop films'. The film talks of a dreaded gangster and how the cops eventually eliminated him. But there are layers in the film that we, as commoners, weren't aware of. Cinematography is consistent. The editing of the final portions is topnotch. Action scenes are life-like. The performances that stand out are: Sanjay Dutt [effective], Amrita Singh [exceptional], Suniel Shetty [competent], Tusshar [impactful] and Arbaaz Khan [good]. Amitabh Bachchan is not in his element, expect for the final sequence in the courtroom. Abhishek Bachchan is wasted. Vivek Oberoi repeats his ‘Company’ act yet again. Dia Mirza is ok while Neha Dhupia gets no scope. Aarti Chhabria registers an impact in the penultimate telephone sequence with Tusshar.

Top5

GOOD BOY BAD BOY

Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar, Kapoor, Isha Sharvani, Tanushree Dutta, Paresh Rawal, Sushmita Mukherjee
Directed by: Ashwini Choudhary
Music by: Himesh Reshammiya

The film bears an uncanny resemblance to Dilip Kumar’s starrer ‘Ram Aur Shyam’. Rajan Malhotra [Tusshar Kapoor] and Raju Malhotra [Emraan Hashmi] are poles apart.

Rajan is a proverbial bookworm, forever lost in studies. He hails from a well-to-do background and his parents [Rakesh Bedi, Navni Parihar] are constantly worried due to his somber nature and his lack of interest in any extra curricular activities. Raju has absolutely no time for studies as playing notorious pranks on others. His father [Anang Desai] & mother [Prabha Sinha] constantly ridicules him for his wayward ways. As fate would have it, the identity cards of Rajan and Raju get swapped. But what unfolds is anything but a fun ride.

The film has a young look, but not once do you feel the youthful energy flowing out of the screen. The film also lacks a foot-tapping score so unlike Himesh Reshammiya. The director is saddled with a poor script. Cinematography by Manoj Soni lacks the sheen but dialogues are funny at places. Emraan has a flair for comedy and that shows on the screen. He is quite likable. Tusshar is pleasant, but how one wishes the writer would've offered him better scenes. Isha Sharvani wears a set of two expressions all through. Tanushree Dutta doesn't work. Paresh Rawal is a letdown. Sushmita Mukherjee is wasted.

Top5

METRO

Starring: Konkona Sen Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Kay Kay Menon, Sharman Joshi, Kangana Ranaut, Shiney Ahuja, Dharmendra
Directed by: Anurag Basu
Music by: Pritam

Shruti (Konkona Sen Sharma) meets Debu (Irrfan Khan), a possible suitor, but rejects him because of his eccentric straightforwardness. Shruti has a crush on a RJ at the radio centre she works in. But her small fling with him ends with a shocking revelation. Shruti's elder sister Shikha (Shilpa Shetty) is married to Ranjeet (Kay Kay Menon) and has a daughter. Theirs is more like a marriage of compromise. Ranjeet is the boss in a BPO firm. In the same office works Rahul (Sharman Joshi) who lives in his uncle's flat, which is often used by his colleagues and seniors as a joint for having sex. Rahul has a crush on Neha (Kangana Ranaut), his colleague. He doesn't know that Neha is in a relationship with Ranjeet, until the day Ranjeet asks Rahul for the key to his flat to 'spend time' with Neha. On the other hand, there is a series of brief encounters between Shikha and Akash (Shiney Ahuja). Akash is a theatre artist who does his rehearsals next to an Old Age home that Shikha regularly visits to meet her former teacher Shivani (Nafisa Ali). Amol (Dharmendra) comes back into Shivani’s life to spend his last days with her. Meanwhile, Shikha and Akash develop a mutual attraction. Their relationship reaches just on the cusp of crossing the limit when Shikha backs out. On the other hand, Neha feels 'used' by her boss Ranjeet and tries to commit suicide. Shruti meets Debu again and they become good friends. But Debu is set to marry another girl. In this complex tangle, the story seems headed for a stifling stalemate when a timely stimulus is provided by a very small but significant incident that makes the characters realize the importance of following their hearts and not heads. Thereafter, every complexity is resolved.

After a hard-hitting 'Gangster', the skilled filmmaker now comes up with 'Metro', a realistic and riveting film with cinematic standards at par with international cinema. The film tells a multi-layered story revolving around several characters. The characters in each story complement the other, until the movie reaches a high point. Among the performances the most impressive come from Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Shilpa Shetty and Kay Kay Menon. Irrfan, playing the eccentrically frank and friendly guy, provides many joyful moments to the otherwise serious and sombre film. Shiney Ahuja is strictly okay. Kangana Ranaut plays her part convincingly. Sharman Joshi is impressive. Dharmendra has a tender charm that comes through in every scene he shares with Nafisa Ali. 'Metro' doesn't have a single song picturized on any actor. It is the Metro band (Pritam & James) that performs all the songs at regular intervals in the film. Visually, 'Metro' has a very sleek look. Basu's treatment of the story is very realistic and the dialogues sound straight out of life. Most importantly, not once does the emotional turmoil of characters in the film becomes soppy and superficially sentimental.

Top5

BHEJA FRY

Starring: Rajat Kapoor, Sarika, Milind Soman, Ranveer Shorey, Vinay Pathak, Bhairavi Goswami Tom Alter, Harsh Chhaya
Directed by: Sagar Ballary

Ranjeet Thadani [Rajat Kapoor], a music company executive, hurts his back the night he has found a prize catch for a weekly bring-your-idiot talent dinner hosted by his friends and him. He ends up spending the evening with this idiot, Bharat Bhushan [Vinay Pathak], who tries to help him get his wife [Sarika] back, who left him earlier that day. The result is utter chaos let loose by the idiot, who cannot do a single thing without messing it up further. The plot turns around to be a series of mini disasters that leave Ranjeet's comfortable life in ruins.

It's difficult to make people laugh and director Sagar Ballary walks a difficult path in his directorial debut. But what bails him out are a fairly interesting screenplay [Sagar Ballary, Arpita Chatterjee] and most importantly, an actor who gets it right in every scene -- Vinay Pathak. There are times when you truly enjoy the jokes, but there're also times when you refuse to flex your facial muscles since the humor appears forced. Vinay Pathak is the star of the show. He looks every inch a simpleton who's ready to become the bakra. He says everything with a straight face, that's one of the reasons why this performance works. His timing is simply fantastic. Rajat Kapoor is alright. Sarika doesn't get much scope. Milind Soman enacts his part well. Ranveer Shorey goes over the top. Bhairavi Goswami exudes oomph, but needs to work on her facial expressions. Tom Alter, Harsh Chhaya and Ikhlaque Khan get limited scope. Ideally, the plotline of the film is best suited for a stage play [theatre], but director Sagar Ballary makes an attempt to garnish it with interesting twists to suit the 35 mm format.

Top5

TARA RUM PUM

Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Ali Haji, Angelina Idnani, Javed Jaffery, Victor Banerjee
Written and directed by: Siddharth Anand
Music by: Vishal-Shekhar

The film is a feel good flick with doses of all the necessary ingredients that go into making a wholesome entertainer. Rajveer Singh [Saif Ali Khan] is a pit-crew worker in a racing team with a passion for driving who gets discovered by a team manager, Harry [Jaaved Jaaferi]. The same day, he accidentally meets a music student, Radhika [Rani Mukerji], who he falls for instantly. He gets drafted into 'Speeding Saddles' -- a failing race team and transforms from Rajveer Singh to 'RV'. While his racing career takes off instantly, his love life also blossoms after a whirlwind romance. A few months later, he is both a happily married man and one of the country's best racers. Fatherhood and greater success both follow and soon he is the Number 1 race car driver in U.S.A. as well as the proud father of two kids -- Priya [Angelina Idnani] and Ranveer [Ali Haji]. But as a result of a bad racing accident, RV is hospitalized for a few months. When he tries to make a comeback, he realizes that he has been mentally scarred by the accident. His life now takes a turn for the worse and after a string of failures, he is forced to auction his house and move with his family to a run-down neighborhood. However, RV and Radhika decide not to tell their children the truth and construct a skillful masquerade of a reality show where they have to live a poor life in order to win a mythical grand prize. The family struggles to survive a life that they are not used to, using a mixture of fantasy and cheerfulness to pull through in the face of adversity. But an incident forces RV to reclaim the life that was taken away from him….

Director Siddharth Raj Anand is only getting better with every film. He handles the emotional moments in particular very well. The execution of the race sequences is outstanding. Binod Pradhan's camerawork is marvelous. Vishal-Shekhar's music is of the fast-forward variety. Saif is extremely likable. He conveys varied emotions with complete understanding. Rani enacts the role of the mother/wife proficiently. Jaaved Jaaferi is first-rate in a serious role. Bharat Dabholkar is efficient. Victor Banerjee suits the character. Shruti Seth is alright. Angelina Idnani and Ali Haji are adorable. This film easily ranks amongst better films from the Yash Raj factory.

Top5

KYA LOVE STORY HAI

Starring: Tusshar, Ayesha Takia, Karan Hukku, Sujata Kumar & Kareena Kapoor
Directed by: Lovely Singh
Music by: Pritam

Arjun [Tusshar Kapoor] falls in love with Kaajal [Ayesha Takia] at first sight. For Kaajal, Arjun is a mere acquaintance, but he is afraid of conveying his feelings. On befriending her, he learns that she lost her mother years back and that her father was busy traveling abroad on business. Kaajal comes across a letter that Arjun has written for the girl he loves, but she doesn't know to whom he is referring. Arjun deliberately asks her how she would reciprocate his love if she were the girl. Kaajal's reply leaves Arjun self-introspecting, making him mysteriously disappear from the scene. In the meantime, a successful entrepreneur Ranveer [Karan Hukku] meets Kaajal. Following some heated verbal scuffles, he thinks that she would make for an appropriate life-partner. When Arjun returns to South Africa, during a coincidental encounter, he finds Kaajal engaged to Ranveer. Destiny has entangled three hearts, but who will emerge victorious?

The problem with the film clearly lies in its script. But a few sequences are well executed. From the writing point of view, the conflict between the three people is handled in the most routine manner. The viewer knows what twists and turns will follow next. Lovely Singh's direction is mediocre, but the culprit is the screenplay. A thin storyline has been stretched needlessly for no reason. Pritam's music is a major asset. Rajeev Shrivastava's cinematography is stunning. Locales of Cape Town give the film a glossy look. Tusshar is quite likable in his part. The honesty that this character demands is writ large on Tusshar's face and expressions. Ayesha Takia handles her role with admirable ease. Her infectious smile enlivens the scene. Although the part doesn't demand histrionics, she pitches in a commendable performance. Newcomer Karan Hukku has strong screen presence and carries himself well, but he looks stiff in a few scenes. Sujata Kumar [Karan Hukku's mom in the film] is effective. Tusshar's friends irritate. Kareena Kapoor looks gorgeous in the opening track.

Top5

BIG BROTHER

Starring: Sunny Deol Priyanka Chopra, Farida Jalal, Danny, Raju Shrivasatav, Sayaji Shinde, Imran Khan, Shahbaaz Khan, Shernaz Patel
Director Guddu Dhanoa
Music: Sandesh Shandilya, Anand Raj Anand

It tells the story of Deodhar Gandhi [Sunny Deol], his mother [Farida Jalal], brother [Imran Khan] and sister [Prachi], a middle class family living in Delhi. They lead a simple life but an incident turns their life upside down - the Home Minister's son throws acid on Prachi's face. The family leaves the city and moves to Mumbai under a different guise. They start life afresh and all seems well till the ghosts of the past surface again. Once the water is above their necks, Deodhar and his mother decide enough is enough. Deodhar’s angry side comes to the fore. And what he does makes him a hero not just for his family but in the eyes of public as well. Deodhar becomes a savior, Big Brother, who brings justice to people in his own aggressive ways. Predictably, the good prevails over the evil.

Relying on an age-old story, the film offers nothing new to the viewer. It takes you back to the 1980s and 1990s. There's an overdose of violence that you start feeling nauseated. Comedy by Raju Shrivasatav and the auto rickshaw sequences are completely forced. Sunny is repeating himself. Priyanka Chopra gets three songs and a few lines to deliver. Danny has a half-baked role. Farida Jalal is passable. Among the villains Sayaji Shinde has the best lines. And he uses his cheesy character to butter up the dry script, giving us a kind of running commentary on the trite conventions of Hindi cinema. Govind Namdev is loud. Imran Khan is alright. Shahbaaz Khan is perfect. Prachi is ordinary. Shernaz Patel is good. On the whole, it is a poor show.

Top5

SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM

Starring: Upen Patel, Bobby Deol, Kangana Ranaut, Celina Jaitley
Direction: Suneel Darshan
Music: Himesh Reshammiya

AJ (Bobby Deol) is a singer-composer-dancer at the pinnacle of his career in New York. He hogs the top spot on the music charts. Reggie (Upen Patel), the new kid on the block is immensely talented. He has a natural knack for composing catchy melodies, and has scant respect for AJ’s music. He is highly ambitious and out to topple AJ from his undisputed top spot. Ruhi (Kangana Ranaut) is a budding singer who happens to be the lucky girl the two men in the story fall for. She adores AJ, but an indecent proposal from him drives her away from him. She falls for the charm of Reggie. Reggie uses Sheena (Celina Jaitley), a PR professional as the first rung on his ladder to fame uses her contacts to come to the notice of big shots in the music industry, and once his job is done, he conveniently dumps her. The mind games begin when AJ realizes that Reggie can threaten his position in the music industry. Skidding through all the manipulative tricks in the trade of cutthroat competition, ‘Shakalaka Boom Boom’ reaches its high note with a predictable duel between the two protagonists.

The film has modern look, sleek cinematography, the styling of characters and the catchy music are all right, it is the presentation of the story, which is not without some obvious clichés. Director Suneel Darshan’s execution still has much room for improvement. The film’s plot traverses a very stereotypical path in the most part of the first half. Just before the interval, a slight twist kindles your almost faded interest. From there on, the movie builds on the rivalry between Bobby and Upen. Bobby Deol gives a notable performance as a man of inflated ego, intoxicated with success. And for the first time Upen Patel gives something to write about his performance. Upen’s arrival infuses some life into the lethargic pace of the film in the first half. Although his acting still leaves much to be desired, the boy has a charm that comes through on the silver screen. Kangana Ranaut is efficient while Celina Jaitley looks ravishing. There is hardly any chemistry between Bobby and Kangana. On the other hand, Kangana’s scenes with Upen are much better. Himesh Reshammiya ’s music is the backbone of this film. The singer-composer has slightly strayed away from his usual style. It is an above average product that provides full timepass entertainment.

Top5

RED

Starring: Aftab Shivdasani, Celina Jaitley, Amrita Arora, Sushant Singh
Director: Vikram Bhatt
Music: Himesh Reshammiya

Red is a thriller that manages to keep you guessing till the end. There’s enough dose of love, lust and betrayal. Neel Oberoi (Anahita) who completes the love triangle. How Neel goes about setting Anahita’s life back on track is what the movie is all about. Learning that Anuj did not die in an accident but was killed and the killer is now out to get Anahita, Neel goes on a killing spree himself, having fallen in love with Anahita. She informs Neel about the affair Anuj had with Ria and also shows him his very personal diary which convinces Neel about Anahita’s terror.

Director Vikram Bhatt gets straight to the point and down to the details in no time. He also makes intelligent use of sepia-toned flashbacks to give the movie that Hollywood feel. Bhatt uses his characters well to emote love, lust and betrayal, all in that order. Aftab Shivdasani as Neel is vulnerable, desirable and adorable, while Celina as Anahita is calm, composed and goes about her life, after Anuj’s death, like any other rich widow. Displaying innocence when needed and aggression along with her passionate scenes, Celina impresses. By far, this is the actor’s best performance. The director does well focusing more on long shots of Celina than tight close-ups to his advantage. Amrita Arora does not have much of a role but she does manage to impress, allowing the director to have the audience guessing as to who the real killer is. Music by Himesh Reshammiya adds to the tempo while the dialogues are interesting.

Top5

NISHABD

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Jiah Khan, Revathy, Nasser, Shraddha
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Background Score: Amar Mohile

‘Nishabd’ is a brooding look at an autumnal life that suddenly finds excitement. In narrating a 60-year-old 'happily' married man's sudden passion for his daughter's 18-year-old friend, Ramu goes for the jugular. The eruption of passion is manifested in little things like the sprout of a gushing water fountain, or the atypical laughter of a patriarch who has just discovered the clandestine pleasure. The confusions, turmoil and playful expeditions into emotional areas that no Hindi film has dared to visit, makes this Varma's most accomplished film to date. Bachchan's chemistry with young Jiah (unarguably Varma's best discovery to date) is so virile, vulnerable, tender and yet invincible at the core.

The luminous language of "Nishabd" makes you grope for new words to describe the experience of watching a film that unfolds like the petals of a wild but tender flower. Both the director and the protagonist venture into unlit territory of bright, smothered passions with arresting aplomb. Nothing prepares you for the flowing emotions that spill out of the superstar's eyes, face and entire being as he grapples with his uncontrollable feelings for the feisty Jiah. Varma has achieved that synthesis of time and experience that gives human relationships a spin of eternity. Varma applies his trademark technique - restless camera movements and unpredictable shot divisions - to a world far removed from the violence and horror of his earlier cinema. Bachchan's character convincingly goes into the recesses of the wounded human heart in search of the answer to that one question - what's the purpose of our existence? Amar Mohile's background score creates a new intimate idiom of expression, unifying the call of the human heart with nature and its most flawed creation - the human being.

Top5

NEHLLE PE DEHLLA

Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha, Kim Sharma, Shakti Kapoor, Mukesh Rishi, Aasif Sheikh, Shiva
Directed by: Ajay Chandok
Music by: Daboo Malik

Johnny [Sanjay Dutt] and Jimmy [Saif Ali Khan] are petty thieves. Johnny has a fetish for robbing expensive watches from showrooms during the day, while Jimmy robs mansions in the wee hours of the morning. Both land up behind bars often, but detest each other’s sight. Outside a bar one night, they encounter Guptaji [Avtar Gill], who has been killed by the villains [Shakti Kapoor, Mukesh Rishi, Aasif Sheikh and Shiva]. Before dying, he utters ‘Roxy Hotel, accounts department’ to Johnny and Jimmy. Both land up at the hotel giving false stories to Balram [Shakti Kapoor] and get employed as stewards. In the meanwhile, Balram’s niece Pooja [Bipasha Basu] and her friend Kim [Kim Sharma] plan to start a hotel in Mauritius and instruct Balram to dispose off the Goa property. But the scheming and corrupt Balram has usurped all the money [Rs. 30 crores] with the help of three crooks [Mukesh Rishi, Aasif Sheikh and Shiva] and hidden it in Mauritius. Johnny and Jimmy get to know Balram’s game plan and demand a share in the booty. Balram calls them to Mauritius. In the meanwhile, the three crooks eliminate Balram and usurp the booty themselves. Only Balram knew where he had hidden the booty. In the meanwhile, the three crooks rob the body and take it to a tantrik [Supriya Karnik]. How everyone gets to the treasure with the help of the dead body forms the crux of the film.

The film defies logic. Ajay Chandok seems to be stuck in the 1980s. The corpse dances to music, drives a car, completes the formalities in the bank, reaches the place where the booty is hidden and even fights the goons in the end. Director Music is strictly okay. Cinematography is good. While Sanju has attempted similar roles in the past, it’s Saif’s first attempt at non-stop nonsense. Both are loud. Bipasha has a set of three expressions all through, while Kim Sharma has one. Shakti Kapoor is his usual self. The three crooks -- Mukesh Rishi, Aasif Sheikh and Shiva are mere gap fillers.

Top5

HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT LTD

Starring: Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, Kay Kay Menon, Raima Sen, Amisha Patel, Karan Khanna, Vikram Chatwal, Sandhya Mridul, Abhay Deol, Minissha Lamba, Ranveer Shorey, Dia Mirza, Arjun Rampal
Directed by: Reema Kagti
Music by: Vishal-Shekhar

The film opens with six couples, a guide, a driver and a handyman riding in a bus from Mumbai to Goa. This vacation is a subsidized option for a lot of dreamers on the brink of their new life. The narrative humorously unfolds different stories that explore the nature of love and human relationships. The first couple is Shabana Azmi – Boman Irani: These two lonely people come together. Boman accidentally meets his daughter in Goa -- gives the story an interesting twist. However, what elevate the story are the delicate moments between the two adults. The second couple is Kay Kay Menon – Raima Sen: The pangs of jealousy [when Raima’s sari opens up as she enjoys a sea-sport] or Raima’s suggestion of having their own home is a reflection of the current times, what with more and more people believing in the concept of nuclear families. The third couple Amisha Patel – Karan Khanna take you by complete surprise. Karan getting attracted to Vikram Chatwal -- catches you unaware. But why doesn’t Karan listen to his heart? The fourth couple is Sandhya Mridul – Vikram Chatwal: Fine writing elevates this story. Vikram’s admission that he’s gay comes as a bolt from the blue. Sandhya’s previous relationship is beautifully restructured and sensitively handled. The fifth couple Abhay Deol – Minissha Lamba possess super powers and have the potential to be desi Superman and Superwoman. The sixth couple Ranveer Shorey – Dia Mirza – Arjun Rampal: Starts off very well and reaches the crescendo when Dia elopes with Arjun. But their re-entry in the final reel and the forced stunt-n-chase looks straight out of 1970s masala film. Over and above these stories, there’s a story involving the bus driver and his nephew. The driver is a drug peddler and the nephew has to pay a price for it.

Debutante Director Reema Kagti shows promise as a storyteller. It’s a difficult task to narrate six stories in 12 reels/2 hours and Kagti does it quite well. But it’s the writing that could’ve been stronger. Cinematography is arresting. Dialogues by Anurag Kashyap are well-worded, especially the lines delivered by Shabana in the end. The ones who leave an impression are [in this order] Shabana Azmi [superb], Kay Kay Menon [brilliant], Boman Irani [first-rate], Sandhya Mridul [excellent], Raima Sen [natural], Abhay Deol [admirable] and Minissha Lamba [likeable]. Amisha Patel does an average job, while Karan Khanna is nurturing into a fine actor. Vikram Chatwal is strictly okay. Ranveer Shorey is wasted. Dia [looks very pretty] and Arjun are also relegated to the backseat. Darshan Jariwala is up to the mark. The film is a notch above the commonplace. But it does succeed in bringing a smile on your face when the lights are turned on after the end credits.

Top5

EKLAVYA

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Jackie Shroff, Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Jimmy Shergill, Raima Sen, Boman Irani
Directed & Produced by: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Music: Shantanu Moitra

The film is a sombre drama with a heart for the classics, particularly those of Eastern philosophy, Shakespeare and genre cinema. The film is one of the finest to come out of the Hindi film industry. Set in the early years of Indian Independence, the movie involves jealous and ungrateful ruler Rana Jayawardhan (Boman Irani) who will not let his wife (Sharmila Tagore) die in peace because she is uttering the name of Eklavya (Bachchan). Rana’s brother Jyotiwardhan (Jackie Shroff) and nephew Udaywardhan (Jimmy Shergill) are impatient to grab his palace and wealth. But when the estranged son (Saif Ali Khan) returns to the palace after his mother’s death, the complications increase. The ruler’s mentally challenged daughter Nandini’s (Raima Sen) recollection of a crime is the turning point of the film. Rajewsari (Vidya Balan), daughter of a chauffer (Parikshat Sahni) looks after Nandini. Lower caste police officer (Sanjay Dutt) takes up a populist stand against evil minded rulers who mete out terrible treatment to the lower caste. As the scheming continues, there are murders, attempted murders, rebellion by the villagers whose lands are confiscated by the greedy ruler, and fleeting romance.

The film shows the lost world of the dethroned Rajasthani royalty, complete with the candle-lit palace interiors and the history-sheeted nooks and corners stands out like an oddity in a world that's skidded into a different era. The action sequences with— camels, trains, bullets, shootouts, sand, pigeons, anklets, death — superb. But there are a few minor shortcomings in the movie. The dialogues [sync sound] aren’t audible at places and the pace slows down in the middle of the second half. Amitabh Bachchan displays every emotion incredibly. Saif Ali Khan emotes with amazing precision and makes you realize the giant strides he has taken as an actor. Sanjay’s character will definitely be carried home by hardcore masses. He is just fabulous. There’s no stopping Vidya Balan. Boman Irani is first-rate in a negative role. Jackie and Jimmy Shergill excel in a negative role. Raima Sen leaves a mark; Sharmila Tagore exudes class in a cameo. Parikshit Sahni is efficient. Saif's restraint, Boman's pain, Bachchan's brimstone and Chopra's camaraderie with colour and form are what you carry out with you when the lights turn on.

Top5

SALAAM-E-ISHQ

Starring: Vidya Balan, John Abraham, Shanon Esrechowitz, Govinda, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Anjana Sukhani, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia, Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar
Directed by: Nikhil Advani
Music by: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Salaam-E-Ishq is a package of 6 love stories bound with surprise, humour and tenderness. Tehzeeb [Vidya Balan] wakes up in the morning to find a small diamond pendant by her bedside. It's an anniversary gift from her romantic husband Ashutosh [John Abraham]. Things take a turn when Tehzeeb is involved in a tragic train accident and loses her memory. Raju [Govinda], a cabbie, meets his 'dream girl' Stephanie [Shanon Esra], who's come looking for Rohit [Kushal Punjabi], her boyfriend, in India. Rohit decides to marry an Indian girl of his parents' choice, while Stephanie gradually falls in love with Raju. Businessman Vinay Malhotra [Anil Kapoor] leads a perfect life. He has a loving wife Seema [Juhi Chawla] and two kids in London. But things change when he bumps into Anjali [Anjana Sukhani]. Anjali comes from a world that Vinay only dreams of. Kkamini [Priyanka Chopra], an item girl in Bollywood, aspires for the coveted heroine's role in a Karan Johar film. She devises a plot to change her image by announcing that she's into a serious relationship with a fictitious character Rahul. Suddenly, Rahul [Salman Khan] enters the scene from nowhere! Shiven Dungarpur [Akshaye Khanna], the most eligible bachelor in New Delhi, is engaged to get married to Gia [Ayesha Takia]. He develops cold feet and wants to break off the engagement. Gradually, he begins to realize that he is incomplete without Gia. Ramdayal [Sohail Khan] is a middle class man married to Phoolwati [Isha Koppikar]. No matter how and where Ramdayal tries to fulfil that burning desire, something goes wrong.

Nikhil Advani has made no secret of the fact that his second directorial venture is inspired by Richard Curtis’ ‘Love Actually’ and is heavily influenced by 8 years of collaboration with Karan Johar. Advani assisted Johar in his direction of the romantic super hits has referred to Salaam-E-Ishq as “vintage Dharma” (of Dharma banner) with some original touches and a dose of reality. The quality of the editing is inconsistent. Fewer cuts with time and place slides inserted between them would have created a more streamlined effect and generated greater momentum. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is pleasant. Piyush Shah's cinematography is excellent. Govinda [suits the role and also does well]; Akshaye Khanna [exceptional], John Abraham [dependable], Vidya Balan [wonderful], Shanon [pleasant surprise] and Juhi Chawla [credible] leave a mark. Salman looks fake; Priyanka’s performance appears forced and unnecessarily exaggerated. Anil Kapoor looks jaded. Anjana is decent, but her role is half-baked. Ayesha Takia gets minimal scope. Sohail and Isha are hardly there. The film salutes love but lacks the power to make you fall in love with it. It's high on hype. But extremely low on content because too many stories spoil the broth! The style of narrating the stories is abstract so it takes time to get a hang of things.

Top5

RISK

Starring: Randeep Hooda, Vinod Khanna, Tanushree Dutta, Seema Biswas, Yashpal Sharma, Makrand Deshpande, Anant Jog, Zakir Hussain
Directed by: Vishram Sawant
Music: Bapi-Tutul, Akbar Sami

RISK tells the story of an honest and upright cop Suryakant [Randeep Hooda], the poster boy of Mumbai's police force. His intentions are noble: Eradicate crime from the metropolis and put an end to the illegitimate rule of the don, Khalid [Vinod Khanna], who operates from Bangkok. But Suryakant is falsely implicated and put behind bars. Khalid plays his cards well and gets Suryakant his uniform back. The don wants to have absolute monopoly over the underworld and uses Suryakant to settle scores with his arch rival [Zakir Hussain]. Unknown to Khalid, Suryakant has his own agenda. He eliminates Khalid's younger brother [Yashpal Sharma] and his trusted aide [Makrand Deshpande]. Khalid is also arrested and deported from Thailand. The battlelines are drawn, a confrontation is inevitable?

Director Sawant's execution is far more impactful than the subject material. Although he carries the burden of an oft-repeated story and lacklustre screenplay, there's no denying that Sawant's direction is above the ordinary. You can find faults in the writing, but not in his execution. There's no scope for music in this enterprise but the background music is good. Mahesh Muthuswami's camerawork is perfect. Randeep Hooda is in terrific form; he looks the character and emotes with precision. It's good to see Vinod Khanna after a hiatus. He's energetic all through. Tanushree Dutta gets no scope. Seema Biswas gets no powerful scenes to compliment her talent. Yashpal Sharma is reasonably good. Makrand Deshpande is wasted. Anant Jog is alright. Zakir Hussain goes over the top. Shiv Subramaniam makes his presence felt. Chetan Pandit as lawyer is good.

Top5

GURU

Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Mithun Chakraborty, Madhavan, Vidya Balan
Directed by: Mani Ratnam
Music: A.R. Rahman

The film narrates the story of a man who rises from zilch and becomes the premier industrialist of the country through sheer hard work, determination, passion and grit. As a story, it is tremendously inspiring and makes you feel all the more confident to encounter challenges and hurdles that may crop up in a journey called life. Set in 1951, in a small village of Idar in Gujarat, young Gurukant Desai [Abhishek Bachchan] dreams of making it big some day. His father [Rajendra Gupta], the headmaster of the village school, tells him that dreams never come true. Guru moves to Turkey first and Mumbai later with his wife Sujata [Aishwarya Rai] and brother-in-law Jignesh [Arya Babbar] to fulfil his dreams. In Mumbai, truth dawns upon Guru that the business world is a closed community ruled by a handful of rich and influential people who don't believe in giving opportunities to new players. Despite barriers, he starts a company called Shakti Trading and climbs the ladder of success at a furious pace. Manik Dasgupta aka Nanaji [Mithun Chakraborty], who publishes a newspaper Swatantra, treats Guru as his son. But when he learns that Guru'