devs_17

Let me first say that it is not in the league of DDLJ. Having said that, there are hardly any such films.

As for the movie itself, it is a very real film. And like CDI, the trump card here is the victory of the underdog. The difference though is that the underdog as well as the front runner is played by SRK. The movie is predictable at times, but hats off to Adi for the presentation and treatment. I would spoil it by saying anything else. To sum up, you are surely gonna enjoy and appreciate the movie (if you don't go there with the purpose of nitpicking) The best part about the movie is Casting, it is spot on, and SRK's act as Surinder has to be seen to be believed. One of the most amazing performances, and right up there with his best. His other persona is the RAJ one, but this one's an ace too, as he spoofs every romantic notion, romantic movies, including his own spoof. I enjoyed it very well. the transformation of Surinder into Raj is funny and believable. It is as believable as one of us trying to imitate a star after seeing his movie. Anoushka is awesome, in fact, she really steals many scenes, and holds her own, and sometimes even betters SRK.

Songs and background music is authentic and blend seamlessly with the movie. All the songs are well shot and placed in the film. Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte song is awesome, while Rab dikhta hai is truly heartwarming! Negatives: Few Scenes are cheesy, and few Over The Top.

Overall, 8/10.

PS: Don't miss the END CREDITS!!

In plain and simple words, I loved CDI. Heck, even if you take SRK out of it, I would still love it! This movie is about a man trying to prove his dedication and love for his sport, his people, and his country. This is about a man scorned by the nation, shunned by his close ones, and his redemption in the way he knows best. Its this main underlying theme that makes CDI special. This theme is so universal, and so identifiable, that your heart connects instantly.

CDI is about Indian sportswomen coming to the forefront, about the stark and grim realities staring at our national sport, and the reasons behind that. It is about unity in diversity, strength in weakness, and putting the team above oneself. Its about the sacrifices one has to make in order to achieve his goals. Its about the success of true sporting spirit! Its real, yet entertaining. Its patriotic without being jingoistic. Its international, yet soaked in Indianness. Its a collage of the different states of India, and the difficult but fruitful formation of this collage.

I have never played or watched or been interested in hockey! But this movie does not need that to touch your heart. All it needs is some patriotism, humility and goodness in your heart. If thats in abundance, I am sure you will love it.

As for the performances, I would just say the entire team rocks. the keyword here is TEAM, as thats what this film is all about! Enjoy !

Let me make it very clear at the outset that this is my view, and not a definitive guide of what to expect from the movie. So, here we go.

Comparisons are inevitable, but not for me, because the old Don was released much before I was born, and I saw it at the time when such thrillers were being routinely made. All said, the old Don was a cool movie. Come to think of it, it was surely ahead of its time, and hence could fit relatively better in today's times. Amitabh rocked in the movie!! Now lets some to the subject of this piece. Don (2006), directed by Farhan Akhtar, and starring SRK, is an intelligent movie, a well crafted thriller, that takes time to involve you, but leaves you satisfied at the conclusion. It is stylish, cool, modern, and very hip. A tad slow at times, the first half doesn't spring much surprises, with most of the story being same as the earlier Don. That said, it is still watchable, mainly because of SRK. It is refreshing to see him so controlled, and yet so cool and DON'y' (for want of the perfect word!). Not once does he overacts, and such a restrained performance makes up for a slowish first half. He is very well supported by Boman Irani, who is just remarkable! This man is a true actor. About 20 minutes or so before the interval, the film begins to grow on you, and you actually forget the earlier Don. What I mean to say is, you stop thinking whether this scene is the same, this situation is identical. By this time, the supposed remake has evolved! The second half is more than just gripping; it just changes the entire texture of the movie! There are a lot of twists and turns, and all of them unpredictable! At the end of it, you have a movie, which has the basic body of the earlier Don, but the character has changed completely. It feels like you have watched a movie which isn't a remake, but a movie with similar story as the earlier one. That said, it would have been better had this movie not been publicized as a remake, it would have aroused less expectations, and thus made more impact.

SRK outshines himself this time, and manages to act out the character he portrays, be it the innocent Vijay, or the menacing Don. There is not a hint of overacting, and it only shows how much a director's actor he is. Comparisons would be unfair, lets just say this Don rocks too!! Priyanka and Isha look good, so does Kareena in a minuscule role. They don't have much to act, and they manage to support the film in the best possible manner. Arjun Rampal is a tad wooden for an aggrieved man, but his voice makes up for his expressions. Maybe some people do not really act out grief, they just speak and see! Boman Irani is excellent, and the way his character develops, only he could have played this part. He even triumphs over SRK in some scenes! This guy should win some awards. Om Puri has a small part to play, and he is as usual. Actually, he has been wasted! Cinematography is good, locales are a visual delight. The only sore point is the music. It isn't bad, but it isn't consistent. The title track, and the original track rock, while the tracks retained from the earlier Don pass muster. The picturisation of Khaike looks odd when it comes, but at the end you realize why it was like that. Background score is electric, and really complements the mood of the film. Special effects are very well executed, and do not look tacky like they usually do in Bollywood. Stunts are nice too, though nothing extraordinary.

So I come to the most important question. Will this film be a huge hit? The answer would be NO. The reason is not because I liked the movie, but because it is an intelligently made movie, where you have to carefully watch and infer, and remember the clues dropped to you. To enjoy this movie, you have to forget that there was an earlier movie with a similar story. And that's where the movie will fail, because it has been publicized as a remake, and so the public will go and start making comparisons there, remembering the earlier Don. Also, the sluggish first half won't help the film, and the classy treatment of this massy plot won't find universal acceptance. Maybe some high octane stunts, though unnecessary, and some power packed dialogues, in the typical Bollywood style, would have helped the film. But then again, this is not what the movie intended to be, and what Farhan wanted to make, he has made well. This movie has everything it needs, and nothing extra. Even SRK is not the usual hyperactive that he is, and that for me was my money's worth! Don ko dekhke bhool paana mushkil hi nahi, namumkin hai.! P.S.: 7 of us went for the movie, with 3 being perennial SRK haters. Even they appreciated him, and liked the film.

i am not a movie critic. i am not a professional reviewer. i am not those "mai ka laal" types. i am also not the India is my mother types. i have my mother and father and i just watch movies for time pass.

this week's time pass was Rang De Basanti (RDB), Rakesh Mehra's second movie after the over-intelligent Aks.

RDB is a path-breaking movie as far as the concept is concerned. The problem lies in the build-up portions of the movie. You feel you are watching one of those Bhagat Singh movies during the first half, but it is the second half which completely shocks and hits you like a hammer. It makes the film a must watch! Pre-interval portions are realistic, believable, and well shot, though only partly. The campus scenes are genuinely funny, and identifiable. The characters are straight out of life, representing all strata of society, ranging from filthy rich brat to poor Muslim. But it is the script in the first half that just doesn't move. the first half just looks like a documentary about a group of friends and Bhagat Singh. Even the interval point doesn't give rise to any expectations. But you are pleasantly surprised after the interval.

The real story starts 10 minutes into the interval. The last 45 minutes save the film almost entirely. I wont spoil the fun by discussing the story. You have to watch it.

Coming to the performances, Amir Khan looks a bit old to play a 25-30 year old, but manages to bring smiles and tears with his performances. His lingo and dialogues have been obviously penned keeping him in mind. He shines, but does not overshadows others, which is to the credit of Rakesh. He should keep away from Managal Pandey type roles and stick to such characters. Alice Patten is a revelation. Her Hindi is amazing and her expressions with Hindi dialogues are just perfect. She should be nominated for some award for sure. Obviously she looks very good, yet real. Soha Ali Khan surprises. She is a complete natural in front of the camera, and looks like a typical girl next door with dreams and love in her eyes.

The best performances come from unexpected ones. Sharman Joshi is just awesome and fits his character to T. Kunal Kapoor's rough and brooding looks with his great physique give him a great screen presence and he delivers too. Atul Kulkarni is as expected, good, even though he does not get too many lines to speak. The real scene stealer and best performer is Siddharth from Tamil movies. You just have to see the movie to understand what I mean. He just dominates every sequence hes in. Madhavan has an itsy bitsy role, during which he endears himself to us. His character though, is integral to the movie. Kiron Kher, Waheeda Rehman, Mohan Agashe lend adequate support.

The music rocks, so does the background music. The title song has been imaginatively shot, and stands out. The songs blend quite well with the movie. Roobaroo song at the end is just perfect. Cinematography is top notch, matching any Hollywood movie. Editing is innovative, and enhances the overall impact of the important scenes. The movie is colorful, and carefully differentiates between the current and flashback portions through different hues.

Rakesh Mehra has done a great job, especially in the concept and style department. Screenplay wise, he should have realized the obvious similarities to the Bhagat Singh movies. But the second half proves he is an international caliber director. Give him a complete screenplay, and i bet he can win international acclaim. Though the concept may not be identifiable universally, he should be lauded to present something refreshingly different and completely original. He tackles Hindu-Muslim unity, dirty politics, college life, and creates a great collage of all. The way the central characters develop is very realistic and identifiable. Three cheers Mr. Rakesh Mehra, you rank right up there, and add me to your fan list! When Soha Ali Khan says "Maar Dalo" in the second half, your heart echoes her sentiments. Thats where the movie succeeds. It connects with me, and hopefully will connect with everyone. There are some cinematic liberties, but when you leave the theater, you have tears in your eyes, and a mellow heart, with a remembrance of all characters. You have been painted yellow at the end. That sums up Rang De Basanti (Paint It Yellow) Devesh Rampuria, UAE