Two movies of two Big guns of the Hindi Film Industry got released in the Last month of 2008. Huge expectations, lot of publicity were involved with both the movies. While both movies are from very different jouners, there are some very stark similarities between the two. You might say, Ghajini is an all out action/ revenge story, while RNBDJ is a emotional drama about a confused girl(read Director as well). First similarity, both movies have a very strong plot of a Love Story running in the movie. While in Ghajini, the Love story gives way to a Revenge plot, unfortunately in case of RNBDJ the love story actually does not take the Plot of the movie anywhere. May be that is the main difference between the 2 movies. While Ghajini's love story grows on you slowly and in between has a strong revenge theme going on, incase of RNBDJ, there are 3 different love stories, which are trying hard to find a meeting point. The meeting point happens to be a tag line, "Usme mujhe Rab Dikhta hain" (Phew, a lot more is expected from Aditya Chopra). Another very strange similarity between the 2 movies is that in both the movies the Main herione of the Movie ends up not finding the reality of her partner. Coincidence, I am not sure, but very interesting aspect of the movie. This aspect of the movies shows the maturity that our films have achieved. I am sure, if these movies were made 5 years earlier, there would have been a effort made to reveal the identity of the heroes hidden from the heroines. Not any more, today movie makers expect the Movie audiences to make certain assumptions and be part of their story telling. This also shows that the average movie goer is no longer expected to keep his brains and heart back home while going to watch a movie. Another strange co-incidence, both movies heroes have there Initials as "SS", Surender Sahni in RNBDJ and Sanjay Singhania in Ghajini.
Now getting down to the actual reviews of both the movies, let me start with RNBDJ, as I feel that will be a short one.
Review of RNBDJ:
What do u expect when Aditya Chopra directs a movie after 5 years and has his favourite Shahrukh Khan as the main protagonist? A LOT!!! Does the Movie deliver? O hell NO. There is a plain Simpleton Surender Sahni and there is the ever present Raj (can there be a Aditya Chopra movie which does not have one?). Enough songs and dance moves, enough emotional mumbo jumbo. So for die heart Shahrukh fans, movie is a just right. So then, what does the movie lack? For me, basically the movie has been made in a hurry. Yes, yes, aditya chopra has taken 5 years to make a movie, clearly he has not spent those 5 years on RNBDJ. I agree in relationships Patience pays, but not the kind of one dislayed by Surender Sahni. There is'nt enough background to the story on why Taani (Anushka Sharma) has such an attitude towards life and more so blames Surender Sahni for the same. She builds a impression in her mind, that her life is ruined as she has married a person working in a 4 by 4 cubicle, 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. But then, does Surender Sahni make enough efforts to show his love towards her. Just letting her go for Dancing classes does not warrant enough. He expects Taani to recognize his love for her, while what does he do to make her feel special, or for that matter make her feel his love. Nothing actually, other than a Sumo wrestling match (A horrible fight sequence on that). There are 3 love stories, Surender Loves Taani, Taani thinks she loves Raj and Raj loves Taani (atleast he proclaims he does). Does he really love her, I dont think so. As I said earlier, the basic missing point in the plot is that these Love Stories do not meet up throughout the movie.
The talented Vinay Pathak is also wasted in a role that does not do justice to his acting caliber. Anuksha does show the simplicity of a girl, who is reluctant to take on the world to fulfill her dreams, while she has anger inside her. The scene where she puts Shahrukh on the pillion of the bike and takes on another couple from the dance classes is shot in a interesting manner. Apart from that, there is'nt much of Camera excellence that is generally part of Aditya Chopra movies. There is though a scene at the Golden Temple which is just brilliant. Golden Temple simply looks stunning and takes a breath away. Beautiful monument of our Heritage, do make sure you the Golden Temple once in your life time, there is a lot of peace and serenity in the environment inside the Gurudwara.
Overall, wait for the DVD to release and watch it at home instead of spending money on Multiplex tickets.
Review of Ghajini:
Aamir Khan does it again, and this time puts in an extra effort in marketing the movie as well. Not spending a lot of time telling the story of the movie, in a nut shell, the story revolves around Sanjay Singhania and the circumstances that lead to him becoming a patient of Short term memory loss. Story is gripping and more importantly has been told with an ideal mix of flashbacks and present times. The effort made by Aamir on his look and physique are visible and more so make his portrayal very convincing. There is a scene in the movie where 4 police personnel lift an unconscious Sanjay and put him on a Table. The whole feel of the scene and the fact that it would actually take 4 people to lift that kind of Body comes out brilliantly. In another scene, when Sanjay regains consciousness while an inspector is searching his house. Sanjay is tied to a chair, and the spontaneity and anger with which he makes a mince meal of the chair is just unbelievable (actually you believe that a person with that kind of Physique can that). During the climax, there is a sequence in which Sanjay comes face to face with Ghajini (yes, actually the movie is names after the villain), he just lifts him from his collar and throws him 12 feet above on the adjoining wall. Again, no doubt comes in the mind that how can a person simply pick up and throw a person that high. Aamir has done extremely well in the portrayal of a person who keeps switching between someone with no reason to live, and a person who has a focussed mission.(This may not sound convincing, but you need to watch the movie to realise the same).
I think I have praised Aamir enough, lets move on to the other breath of Fresh air in the movie, which gives a totally different dimension to the movie, ladies and gentlemen, watch out for the next star of Hindi Film Industry, Asin. Asin plays Kalpana in the movie, a struggling Ad actress who uses Sanjay Singhania's name to improve her positioning in her Ad agency. While Aamir gives that Hardcore and dark angle to the movie, Asin acts as a totally opposite taste in the movie, bubbly, Sweet and spreading spice in a much needed tense atmosphere. I will not tell much about the story, as that will take away the fun of watching the movie, but there are some scenes that really moved me. Asin does a brilliant display of a Chirpy and lively persona in the movie. The movie has put in a lot of expectations from her and she clearly will be an actress to watch out for. Beware Priyanka, Kareena and Katreena, there is a real competition facing you in the shape of Asin. Surely, Asin, Deepika and Anushka will be competing with each other for the crown of the queen of Hindi Film Industry in the years to come.
The movie is not just about Bam Bam!!! fights and songs, there are some really touching scenes, with the best being, in the climax, when sanjay is about the repeat what Ghajini did to Kalpana (Kill him), that is when he gets a single tear running his cheek. He is for the first time mourning the loss of Kalpana, an extremely touching scene. The director is able to make you feel the pain and misery of Sanjay, and that for me is the brilliance of Murugodass's story telling. All throughout the movie the Ill Sanjay Singhania is searching for the Person who killed Kalpana, but does not realise what Kalpana meant to him or the fact that he has lost some one very dear and near to him, probably some one who meant the world to him.
Overall, deserves a dekho at the Movie Theatre and not to be scene in your 29 or 32 inches TV. Get to the movie theatre and have a good 3 hours of brilliant story telling.
Aamir wins hands down in the battle of the Two khans this time round. Shah Rukh needs to pull out a miracle to be able to get any major award for RNBDJ this time round. But then, this is India Meri Jaan, aur yahan sab kuch bikta hain. :-))
Disclaimer - I am not refering to any awards here. :-))
Stay tuned, I will be back with a review of Delhi 6 and Slumdog Millionaire, again compared together. Till then keep thinking, what are the similarities between the two.
Now getting down to the actual reviews of both the movies, let me start with RNBDJ, as I feel that will be a short one.
Review of RNBDJ:
What do u expect when Aditya Chopra directs a movie after 5 years and has his favourite Shahrukh Khan as the main protagonist? A LOT!!! Does the Movie deliver? O hell NO. There is a plain Simpleton Surender Sahni and there is the ever present Raj (can there be a Aditya Chopra movie which does not have one?). Enough songs and dance moves, enough emotional mumbo jumbo. So for die heart Shahrukh fans, movie is a just right. So then, what does the movie lack? For me, basically the movie has been made in a hurry. Yes, yes, aditya chopra has taken 5 years to make a movie, clearly he has not spent those 5 years on RNBDJ. I agree in relationships Patience pays, but not the kind of one dislayed by Surender Sahni. There is'nt enough background to the story on why Taani (Anushka Sharma) has such an attitude towards life and more so blames Surender Sahni for the same. She builds a impression in her mind, that her life is ruined as she has married a person working in a 4 by 4 cubicle, 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. But then, does Surender Sahni make enough efforts to show his love towards her. Just letting her go for Dancing classes does not warrant enough. He expects Taani to recognize his love for her, while what does he do to make her feel special, or for that matter make her feel his love. Nothing actually, other than a Sumo wrestling match (A horrible fight sequence on that). There are 3 love stories, Surender Loves Taani, Taani thinks she loves Raj and Raj loves Taani (atleast he proclaims he does). Does he really love her, I dont think so. As I said earlier, the basic missing point in the plot is that these Love Stories do not meet up throughout the movie.
The talented Vinay Pathak is also wasted in a role that does not do justice to his acting caliber. Anuksha does show the simplicity of a girl, who is reluctant to take on the world to fulfill her dreams, while she has anger inside her. The scene where she puts Shahrukh on the pillion of the bike and takes on another couple from the dance classes is shot in a interesting manner. Apart from that, there is'nt much of Camera excellence that is generally part of Aditya Chopra movies. There is though a scene at the Golden Temple which is just brilliant. Golden Temple simply looks stunning and takes a breath away. Beautiful monument of our Heritage, do make sure you the Golden Temple once in your life time, there is a lot of peace and serenity in the environment inside the Gurudwara.
Overall, wait for the DVD to release and watch it at home instead of spending money on Multiplex tickets.
Review of Ghajini:
Aamir Khan does it again, and this time puts in an extra effort in marketing the movie as well. Not spending a lot of time telling the story of the movie, in a nut shell, the story revolves around Sanjay Singhania and the circumstances that lead to him becoming a patient of Short term memory loss. Story is gripping and more importantly has been told with an ideal mix of flashbacks and present times. The effort made by Aamir on his look and physique are visible and more so make his portrayal very convincing. There is a scene in the movie where 4 police personnel lift an unconscious Sanjay and put him on a Table. The whole feel of the scene and the fact that it would actually take 4 people to lift that kind of Body comes out brilliantly. In another scene, when Sanjay regains consciousness while an inspector is searching his house. Sanjay is tied to a chair, and the spontaneity and anger with which he makes a mince meal of the chair is just unbelievable (actually you believe that a person with that kind of Physique can that). During the climax, there is a sequence in which Sanjay comes face to face with Ghajini (yes, actually the movie is names after the villain), he just lifts him from his collar and throws him 12 feet above on the adjoining wall. Again, no doubt comes in the mind that how can a person simply pick up and throw a person that high. Aamir has done extremely well in the portrayal of a person who keeps switching between someone with no reason to live, and a person who has a focussed mission.(This may not sound convincing, but you need to watch the movie to realise the same).
I think I have praised Aamir enough, lets move on to the other breath of Fresh air in the movie, which gives a totally different dimension to the movie, ladies and gentlemen, watch out for the next star of Hindi Film Industry, Asin. Asin plays Kalpana in the movie, a struggling Ad actress who uses Sanjay Singhania's name to improve her positioning in her Ad agency. While Aamir gives that Hardcore and dark angle to the movie, Asin acts as a totally opposite taste in the movie, bubbly, Sweet and spreading spice in a much needed tense atmosphere. I will not tell much about the story, as that will take away the fun of watching the movie, but there are some scenes that really moved me. Asin does a brilliant display of a Chirpy and lively persona in the movie. The movie has put in a lot of expectations from her and she clearly will be an actress to watch out for. Beware Priyanka, Kareena and Katreena, there is a real competition facing you in the shape of Asin. Surely, Asin, Deepika and Anushka will be competing with each other for the crown of the queen of Hindi Film Industry in the years to come.
The movie is not just about Bam Bam!!! fights and songs, there are some really touching scenes, with the best being, in the climax, when sanjay is about the repeat what Ghajini did to Kalpana (Kill him), that is when he gets a single tear running his cheek. He is for the first time mourning the loss of Kalpana, an extremely touching scene. The director is able to make you feel the pain and misery of Sanjay, and that for me is the brilliance of Murugodass's story telling. All throughout the movie the Ill Sanjay Singhania is searching for the Person who killed Kalpana, but does not realise what Kalpana meant to him or the fact that he has lost some one very dear and near to him, probably some one who meant the world to him.
Overall, deserves a dekho at the Movie Theatre and not to be scene in your 29 or 32 inches TV. Get to the movie theatre and have a good 3 hours of brilliant story telling.
Aamir wins hands down in the battle of the Two khans this time round. Shah Rukh needs to pull out a miracle to be able to get any major award for RNBDJ this time round. But then, this is India Meri Jaan, aur yahan sab kuch bikta hain. :-))
Disclaimer - I am not refering to any awards here. :-))
Stay tuned, I will be back with a review of Delhi 6 and Slumdog Millionaire, again compared together. Till then keep thinking, what are the similarities between the two.
