Ishaqzaade review

3/5 

After a carefully planned marketing campaign and some beautiful songs that aroused interest in this uniquely titled movie, this Yash Raj venture released today. Directed by Habib Faisal who has been a regular in the Yash Raj stable and produced by Aditya Chopra, Ishaqzaade stars debutante Arjun Kapoor, son of Bonny Kapoor and the one film old Parineeti Chopra, cousin of Priyanka Chopra. Does it make an impact? Read on to find out.  

Ishaqzaade is the rustic love story between Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya (Parineeti), 2 youngsters from opposite clans of the political scene in Almor, a small town in central India. While Parma is a Hindu belonging to the Chauhan family, Zoya is a Muslim belonging to the Qureshi family. Their journey together starts off with great friction amid campaigning for the local MLA election, becomes romantically intense, has some betrayal thrown in and on the whole it is not a bed of roses by any means. Finally when the young lovers decide to bury their differences after being consumed by their love for each other, they are not let to live in peace. Whether they unite, given the severe culture of hatred between the Hindus and Muslims in their town, is the finale of this movie.

This is one of the rare rustic love stories to come out of Bollywood amid the slew of urban movies coming out every other week. The pace of the movie is pretty steady save few instances in the second half like when a dance number suddenly pops in and during the extended chase sequence in the climax.  

Parineeti Chopra is the lifeline of the movie. She is a natural and emotions just come so easily to her, be it mischief or rage or romance. A real talent to watch out for and a possible replacement for Rani Mukherjee’s brand of boisterous acting. The hulky and hunky Arjun Kapoor makes a very earnest debut. The kind of effort that a city lad like him must have put to get into the skin of such a rural character is admirable. Though he is a bit sluggish in his body language, his dance moves are terrific and his wicked laughs stand out. The chemistry between the lead players is the main reason why this movie leaves a mark on you. 

The ‘Pareshaan’ song in the 1^st half in particular is a dreamy montage song where the lead pair develops their romantic interests. There are also some intense physical moments between the two which have been aesthetically captured. Gauhar Khan also has an impressive role as the dancer who gives some solace to the pair in the raging second half.  

Amit Trivedi’s songs are the next major standout. ‘Pareshaan’ and ‘Ishaqzaade’ will remain with you long after the movie gets over. The BGM score by Ranjit Barot is also in line with the movie’s mood. The cinematographer Hemant Chaturvedi, has captured the raw energy of the rural heartland of our country.   

To conclude, Ishaqzaade will stay with you and make an impact given the magical on-screen chemistry between the lead pair and the unconventional climax that will leave you pondering on the way back home from the theater. The director has woven a message into the climax and though it surely affects you, you do wonder if the movie could have ended in a different way.

VERDICT: An absorbing tale of love in the backdrop of intense communal politics.

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011)

Ricky Bahl is a conman who dupes ladies for a living and he earns big cash using his methods. The ladies fall easy prey to him and he has conned more than 30 ladies. 3 of them - Dimple, Raina and Saira decide to get back at him and recover the cash that they lost to him (totally 90 lakhs). Dimple is duped in the name of love, Raina - a painting and Saira - family grief.

These 3 girls employ a salesgirl named Ishita to trap Ricky who is now in Goa. Ishita and Ricky fall in love during the girls' reverse-con process. Ricky succeeds yet again but, this time the girls finally manage to straighten out his ways. Ricky returns their cash and gets Ishita on the promise of a clean life.

Hits

• Ranveer Singh looks solid star material with his realistic acting, amazing muscular frame, flowing hair style, height and style. His costumes in this movie are really debonair and dashing. The new heartthrob of the young crowd. 
• Anushka Sharma scorches the screen with her 2 piece bikini act in the pool. She is indeed one gutsy girl to expose her assets in all their glory. 
• More than the songs, Salim-Sulaiman impress with their booming bass BG score particularly in the party scene where the lead pair kiss for the first time. 
• The first half flies away in quick time. 

Comments

• The bubbly, talkative Punjabi girl stereotype is repeated yet again though Parineeti Chopra is very cutesy and curvy. The other 2 girls are OK.
• The 2nd half feels draggy compared to the racy first half. But, it is never boring. 
• No catchy song as such. 
• The colorful production values of Yash Raj Films are there here too. 

VERDICT

Decent time-pass. Worth a watch for the hunky hero, the fun and Anushka's super hot 2 piece bikini act

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011)

The Plot
Younger brother Kush has to choose an appropriate bride for his brother Lav. Lav is in London and he has just broken up with his girl friend Piya

Kush sees a lot of girls but none of them look like suiting his brother. Then he comes across Dimple. He and Dimple had already been acquainted some yrs back when they were in college. He decides that Dimple will be his brother's dulhan and Dimple also does a video chat with Lav. The marriage is set.

Then, Kush and Dimple get very close as they make all the arrangements for the marriage together. They fall in love, elope but, decide to return back.

Then they plan a big drama involving Lav's girlfriend Piya who comes to India as Dimple's friend. There the fire is rekindled between the 2 broken-up lovers and they elope and get married. Kush and Dimple also get married as planned after some more drama involving the 2 families.

                                                                       
Hits

• It's Katrina Kaif's movie completely. What style, attitude, cuteness and energy. She acts very well nowadays. 
• Imran Khan is boyish, charming and very handsome. Decent show
• Ali Zafar is debonair and acts well as the cool dude London brother. His girl friend Piya looks hot too. 
• The songs by Sohail Sen are a major plus. Very colorfully picturized too. Dhunki, Choomantar, the title song, Madhubala etc. etc. Aural and visual treat.  
• The first half is very likable and moves like a dream. 
• A lot of popular Bollywood characters have been spoofed most notably My Name is Khan's SRK. Good fun ... 

Comments

• The second half has all the typical Bollywood drama elements. The drama before the climax in particular is needless

VERDICT

Good time-pass entertainer. Yash Raj ishtyle light-hearted romantic drama

Badmaash Company (2010)

The Plot

Karan, Chandu, Zing and Bulbul are 4 youngsters just out of college in Bombay, 1994. They are on the lookout for some easy cash and a big life full of glamor. They get lured by fast bucks and don’t hesitate in going illegal too. They cheat the customs by not paying duty by following some fraudulent schemes.

Then they shift to the US, follow the same policy there too.  They try their hands in other types of shady businesses too and finally the law catches up with them and their leader Karan also becomes too egoistic, arrogant and he hardly respects his partners and family. He loses his business and friends.

Then he spends time in jail, realizes his follies and returns to re-unite with his buddies and this time they help Karan’s uncle resurrect his business in a legal manner. All is well in the end with the friends and also with Karan’s family. 

                                                                         

Hits

• Shahid Kapoor though heavily inspired by SRK, is very boyish, charming and is the typical dude. He shows a lot of intensity and talent.
• Anushka Sharma shows her super-hot, sexy and oomphy side in this movie. Jaw dropping stuff-strutting from her. She is obviously a good actress too as we’ve come to know
• The chemistry between the leads is truly sizzling. Their lip locks are so passionate and up the heat factor.
• The 2 friends Chandu and Zing have their moments too. Good smart character artistes. The scenes where they are obsessed with girls and booze are funny. They also do well in their confrontations scenes with Karan when he becomes arrogant. 
• Lovely peppy songs by Pritam, with maximum focus on groovy beats

Misses

• Since the movie is set in the mid-90s, it’s hard to believe the kind of language the friends speak, the kind of costumes they wear and the kind of facilities that are seen in all the locations.
• The schemes used by the friends are sometimes clever but very cinematic and hardly believable. 

VERDICT

Decent heist movie in typical Bollywood style. Colorful Yash Raj extravaganza. 

New York (2009)

The Plot

How Muslims living in the US are driven to take up terrorism due to the torture that the Americans inflict upon them post 9/11 is the movie’s theme. It is told in the backdrop of 3 friends (Sam, Maya and Omar) and their college life. Sam and Maya are lovers and they also marry each other. Omar is used by the FBI to infiltrate Sam’s suspected sleeper cell. Omar goes back to his friend Sam’s house after many yrs and slowly starts to know about Sam’s real existence.

Yes. Sam is indeed planning some major attacks on the FBI and Omar wants to stop this as an undercover FBI agent and as a friend to Sam, and ensure that Sam is not killed. He also gets a guarantee from the FBI officer Roshan to this effect. But, things turn haywire and it is needless bloodshed for the husband-wife due to the hyperactive nature of the Americans in the FBI. Omar takes over as the guardian of Danyal, Maya and Sam’s little son, in the end.

                                                                        

Hits

• Yash Raj's production values are top notch. It looks like a Hollywood product. The cinematography is the main reason for this richness. 
• Katrina Kaif has acted very well for the first time in her career. As the understanding lover, wife and mother, she is top notch. She looks a million bucks as always. An elegant goddess
• Despite the robotic voice modulation, John Abraham scores in the emoting area. Neil Nitin Mukesh also impresses with his earnest show of desperation and frustration. His voice is cute. 
• Irfan Khan looks and plays the part of the Indian FBI officer to perfection. His sarcasm at the friendship between the 3, is enjoyable. The man who comes as Zilgai, the tortured Muslim portrays all the angst and embarrassment through his eyes. Great talent. 
• The torture scenes are very hard hitting. 
• The songs are all melodious and peppy at the same time. Credit to Pritam for that 
• The messages given in the end credits about the detention of foreign nationals in the US post 9/11 makes a lot of impact.

Misses

• The climax though beautifully shot on a grand scale, is very melodramatic. A played down climax would have worked much better.

VERDICT

One of the better 'serious' Hindi movies. Kudos to the director Kabir Khan for taking a heavy subject in his very first film. 

Dhoom 2 (2006)

What’s it about

2^nd installment of the Dhoom series. This time Jai and Ali are after Aryan, a high profile high tech thief who steals only rare artifacts. Aryan leaves behind the A sign at all his crime scenes. He uses many disguises and getups to commit his thefts and heists. Shonali, a female bomb cop and Jai’s batch mate is also in Jai’s team in his pursuit of A.

        Jai also uses Shoneri as a rat to infiltrate A’s plans. But Shoneri and Aryan fall in love and Shoneri is more loyal to her love than the police. Finally, Jai lets the lovers loose after they decide to put an end to their shady activities and lead a normal life as restaurateurs.

       Loads of glamour, skin show, style, classy stunts, bike chases and MASALA.

                                                                      

Hits

• Aishwarya Rai. OMG. What a woman. As Shoneri, she is super duper hot and her figure and body belie her age.
• Bipasha Basu also oozes sex appeal in her dual role as Shonali and Monali, the sisters. While Shonali is a strong policewoman, Monali is a dumb bombshell.
• Hrithik is as usual stylish. Abhishek, with his stubble suits the part of the serious policeman. Uday Chopra’s wise cracks and antics are as usual laughable.
• Great production values. Rich sets, Brazilian locations. A rich glamour feast for the eyes
• Nice songs and BGM by Pritam and co.

Misses

• Hrithik’s many disguises are not always distinct. Easily identifiable.
• Jai lets go of many chances to nab Aryan while committing the heists. It’s as if Jai wants Aryan to escape.
• An unconvincing climax
• Stunts go overboard be it Hrithik’s intro stunts or the climax stunt at the waterfalls.

VERDICT

Not as impressive and crisp as Dhoom 1. Still watch-able for the super hot lead ladies and the great production values. 

Dhoom (2004)

Whats it about:
The film traces how Jai, a super cop nabs a biker gang which specializes in hi-tech robberies and heists. The biker gang is lead by Kabir. Jai takes the help of Ali, a local racer to eliminate the biking robbers after a few failed attempts
      Side by side, we are also shown the romance between Jai and his wife Sweety in a very sexy manner, Ali's misfortune at getting his lady love, Ali's racing exploits and also some hardcore masala elements in the name of sexy songs.

                                                                          

Hits

• Terrific stunt sequences in bikes, boats and what not. Thrilling stuff helped in no small measure by Nirav Shah
• Foot tapping songs and BGM by Pritam and co. 
• Style all the way, be it Abhishek or John or a bikini clad Esha or the super sexy Rimi Sen or the super bikes
• A celebration of Indian masala

Misses

• Logic has been ignored. The genre is such, But, some stunts are definitely gravity defying, beautifully shot nevertheless. 

VERDICT

Thrilling time-pass. Fun filled action extravaganza.