Our Rating: 3.95
Yahoo India Movies: 4.5
Starring: Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Luke Kenny, Prachi Desai, Koel Purie.
Director: Abhishek Kapoor.
I don't normally watch Hindi films. The song and dance sequences just get on my nerves. But then, once in a while, if the promos look interesting enough, I do break that rule. And boy, am I happy I saw this one! The only thing identifying this one as a Hindi movie, is well, the language (and, to some extent, parts in the second half), but other than that, it really is a special movie. It gets the attitude and spirit just right, and that's what sets it apart.
The story, though a little clichéd, is well presented, with the contrast between the youthfulness of rock and the hum-dum of a 30-something's life really well brought out. The characters are well etched and you really start to feel for, and identify with them. They could be just about anybody from today's youth generation.
The young star cast delivers decent performances, with Arjun Rampal as Joe, a man of few words who lets his guitar do the talking, really stealing the show. He really gets Joe's on-stage and off-stage personas right. You get goosebumps (atleast I did, and I'm sure, all guitar fans would too) everytime you see him pick up the guitar. His fingers really have 'Magik' (that, by the way, is the name of the band in the movie). Farhan Akhtar, as the lead singer, is really good. Though he appears lost in some scenes, his overall act is good. Special mention of his vocals, which are simply amazing! Mr Akhtar, if ever you decide to stop directing films (I hope not!), you could easily become a rocker, and with some work, an amazing actor! Purab Kohli, as K.D. aka Killer Drummer is the typical Sharman Joshi-isque sidekick who provides ample smart-aleck moments. Only disappointment was Luke Kenny, who somehow, manages to make Rob look like a rank A nerd, especially when spouting dialogue (thankfully, he doesn't have too many of those).
The music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is foot-tapping, though I doubt whether it'll be able to generate the same hysteria if heard in isloation of the film. What I mean is that, even though Mssrs Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy get their power chords right, there's something missing in the music. It all appears good onscreen just because the Aktar-Rampal-Kohli-Kenny quartet is so good.
All in all, this is a really good effort, a new-age Dil Chahta Hai, if you want to call it that. You'd have to be a fool, or not understand Hindi, to miss this one.
Print this post
Post Comments Feed
3 comments:
Oh, that was Farhan Akhtar singing in the promos? I thought some donkey was stuck in a ditch and braying out for help.
hysteria is spelt with a 'y' ,not an 'i'.
and those guys have the acting ability of a teacup. i don't know their names and haven't seen the movie.just stop for a second, and look at the bleeding poster. sheesh.
@Harsh: The other contributors are apprehensive that Messrs Rach will get bored of this blog some time soon, and their own work will go waste.
Post a Comment