Yes it is a bit overdone, not as slick, but it is 6-7 years older. The same story line, young folks starting out looking out for number one (themselves), then circumstances around them and the corrupt political scene changes them and patriotism takes over. The difference is that there is no violent ending and violence is not espoused in this film - but that was my least favorite part of RDB. Shahrukh Khan is of course the king himself and delivers the goods. This what he does best, the goofy adorable, the not very brave but eventually coming through boy next door type. Juhi is very beautiful and talented and does not disappoint. The music does a bit, but eventually you get to like it. The movie is very funny - a great way to be entertained.
Add a Review
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HeadleyLamarr15 August 2006
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the_birs23 November 2008I saw this movie and I thought I wouldn't like it because it's kinda an old one yet I was really surprised in a good way because the actors play, the story, the script and everything was well done and credible.
I liked the songs..especially the "I'm the best" one song by the 2 actors at different times and moments. Yet both were so great and lovely.
So I advice you to watch it for the actors, the music and the deepness of this movie with a tender and "politicaly" correct way of playing of the 2 actors.
Enjoy it! My result: 6/10. Watch it at least once. -
jack_o_hasanov_imdb14 August 2021It was a fun movie. Shahrukh Khan made the movie better. Also Juhi was very nice.
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Not many movies have been set against the media industry as the backdrop. The other ones that come to mind are "New Delhi Times" and "Main Azaad Hoon" and both of them though critically acclaimed didn't set the cash registers ringing. Hey, I am lost for words... jinxed perhaps?
Year: 2000. Situation: TV channels was still an sunrise industry. There wasn't a glut in the market vying for the audience or a murky fight for the TRP's. Perhaps owing to which, the audience couldn't understand the meaning of media manipulation.
The movie starts off on a light note with the boy and the girl working for competitor's TV channels on loggerheads with each other, no rocket science here... love-story ensues and finally getting down to serious business to fight for justice for unjust done to common man. The audience expectations were probably not correctly calibrated and the "fighting for a cause + patriotism + national movement" came as a bolt from blue to the audience resulting in an indigestible fare.
SRK:: Gives his 100% to the role making it a very convincing portrayal.
Juhi:: Very good and as usual compliments well with SRK.
Satish Shah & Dilip Tahil as gullible media magnets were justified.
Paresh Rawal as the "eye-of-the-storm" has his moments and delivers to the utmost perfection.
Govind Namdeo and Shakti Kapoor as vile politicians justify their parts well.
Johnny Lever is usual self.
It was nostalgic to see a few characters from "Nukkad".
Jatin-Lalit provide good music. There is no doubt about Javed Akhtar's capabilities on lyrics. Sharmista Roy and Farah Khan deserve a special mention for contribution to art direction & choreography respectively.
Director ensured that all the ingredients were in adequate proportions and doesn't go overboard on any of them. There is a soul in the movie and the goods have been delivered with conviction.
Had the movie been made today, the audience would have related to it spot-on. The movie has a good social message and deserves to be posthumously declared as an satire on the media.
PS: Evidently, outright rejection from the audience has put off SRK to make meaningful cinemas. -
silidur19 November 2021Good music and funny scenes showing what media would do for publicity, like showing sponsors during a public hanging or doing a live stream of a bomb diffusion while interviewing the bomb expert on site. The story further involves a man who is being accused of being a terrorist after shooting a politician on stage at a public meeting. The main characters Ajay and Ria, who until then were only concerned about their career as reporters, quickly get entangled in a world of politics and corruption. They are the only ones knowing that the terrorist is a father who avenged his daughters brutal rape and killing by said politician and they want to show the public a tape with him confessing it. The main antagonists are the prime minister and his deputy who want to prevent it under all circumstances. Thus a wild hunt begins in order to find the tape and show it to the public before the man it put to death. Altough the man has accepted his faith, the people of india storm the public hanging place and rescue him after seeing his confession last minute on live TV.
Two things stand out: Self justice of the people, who have no trust in the judicial system and the man being portrayed as innocent. He may not be a terrorist, but he killed a human, that is something he needs to be held accountable for, even if it's just a prison sentence. The people freeing him and declaring him innocent don't make much sense. Throughout the film he is said to be a simple man and incapable, he weeps to his wife before his hanging, as if he doesn't stand up for what he did for his daughter and it almost seems he thinks it was a mistake shooting the politician after all. So it is very unclear who has the moral high ground here. It seems no one is in the right after all. The only thing that can be said is that the death sentence may be too barbaric, but then the question is how to rehabilitate the man and bring him back to society? So yeah he should have owned up to his mistake and do some time behind bars. That's all from me. Also the film was a little long-winded and the last hour could have been saved. Otherwise it was entertaining. -
hached21 April 2018The movie is an Indian xerox of Switching Channels (1988), and strictly a decent one.
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planktonrules29 August 2021I realize I am not the target audience for "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani" and being a Shahrukh Khan film, I am sure it made a ton of money and pleased audiences. But for me, I couldn't stand the film....probably because I am not Indian and my sensibilities and expectations for a film are different. Now this is NOT to say I dislike Khan....he's a wonderful actor and I've loved many of his movies. But this one is a type film no one could have made work for western audiences.
SRK plays Ajay Bakshi, a super-obnoxious and narcissistic TV news celebrity. He is very popular and this just feeds his ego and makes him more full of himself. This is obvious when he sings songs like "I'm the Best" and the film obviously his self-absorption is meant to be funny. I just found it wore thin VERY fast and his character was about as one-dimensional as any I have recently seen.
Now Vijay is supposed to eventually learn humility through the use of a rival female reporter....but it really is too little too late. Plus, she too is an obnoxious narcissist!! After all, if you completely despise characters because the film has made them this unlikable, even if he is played in this case by the beloved Shahrukh Khan.
If you like the obnoxious rich badboy trope, by all means give the film a try. As for me, it's one of the only types of Indian films I dislike...and fortunately most Indian movies aren't like this one and are written better. It would be hard for a film to be written worse and despite the film's polish and lovely look, I just couldn't take 160 minutes of it and bailed about 3/4 of the way through the story. -
nafisaali-2330321 January 2019This movie was way ahead of it's time ...and is highly underrated
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zeshan-229 January 2000A very bold offering by Dreamz Unlimited, "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani", takes the audience into an area of Hollywood that has been explored many times before: corrupt politicians. Although this time the crusaders against these power hungry fanatics are the two TV journalists Shahrukh Khan and the glamorous Juhi Chawla.
The film is fast and the storyline moves just at the right pace, the only problem is some of the songs are not the musical extravaganzas one would expect from such a huge film. A point to be noted is that a few of the songs are there to add layers to the story and thus you would find yourself enthralled by the onscreen action.
Shahrukh does a fantastic job of playing the role of a TV News Spin Doctor, realising the values of truth and honesty. The character he portrays is believable; his transformation is his conscience, not his personality.
Juhi Chawla, a veritable goddess of the silver screen, gives her character the right amount of charisma, charm and sophistication. Another bonus is that Juhi looks stunning in every scene.
The film also makes use of great camera angles and uses a wide variety of special effects that will leave you clinging to your seat. A great sequence in the first half of the film will make you wonder if you are actually watching a movie from Hollywood.
Indian patriotism takes a backseat until towards the end, so the film does not suffer the stereotype that I expected from the adverts.
Overall the film has a watertight storyline, great humour, packed to the brim with action, and who can actually say no to a film with the gorgeous Juhi Chawla! -
javedakhtar194226 December 2005This film carries a very socially relevant message: Unity is strength. We, the society can achieve anything if we stand united, have a strong common voice. This film shows how the two journalists (played by Shah Rukh and Juhi) successfully save the life of an innocent (played by Paresh Rawal) who has been fixed by evil and selfish politicians as a terrorist and awarded a death sentence and of course he is a killer like a common killer and he is not motivated to destroy Indian union by this act.
The film is a complete comedy till the seriousness creeps in. The film, released in 2000, already was ahead of its time by portraying how the TV channels use everything for commercial purposes; in this film they actually show live of the hanging ceremony with interviews of the hangman. We saw it recently on TV of interviews with a hangman from Kolkata and his family history too.
This was the first film attempted by Shah rukh, Juhi and Aziz mirza under their new production company. The film didn't go well with audience but they will be remembered, say 50 years from now for making such a film.
Coming to acting and that too with comic touch, SRK and Juhi is a great combination. They did very well their roles. Music is good; the song "Aur Kya" was fantastic, written by Javed akhtar. -
Azli 0714 February 2000I have watched this movie so far 5 times in the theatres and I intend to go to the cinema again.
I liked the story line and the way the movie begins. Though I am not an Indian citizen, the movie was really touching and I could feel the patriotism in the cast and I enjoyed the music very much. Lyrics were very well written. I can go on and on.
Million thanks to Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza for giving us such an excellent movie to begin a great Millennium ahead. > -
sidhant_garg7 May 2019Way ahead of its time in the Indian context. Audiences in late 90s-early 2000s just wanted to see a romcom, especially if it featured SRK. The movie starts off that way but takes a political turn which exposes the nexus between people in power. It kind of displays the current situation in India in the year 2019. A lot of scenes would remind viewers of real-life situations that have occurred in the country over the past few years.
Maybe it was too much to take in for the viewers of the early 2000s, but this film would be a sure shot hit if it were to be released today or it may get banned in the country. Although, it does get too melodramatic in the final sequence. -
crystalbloo9210 December 2005Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani is a great movie! So far I've watched it six times, and each time it seems to be getting better and better!
Basically, Shahrukh and Juhi are journalists working for two different news channels who happen to be rivals. Each one tries to outsmart the other in order to promote their channel. Both Shahrukh and Juhi play pranks and mean tricks on one another throughout the beginning of the film which I found to be quite hilarious! I thought it was also really clever how Juhi had a video-camera planted inside her purse and was secretly taping "extra footage."
Eventually, after all that hate and rivalry, the two of them are faced in a situation in which they must help save a convict who has escaped from jail. I thought it was really sweet how Shahrukh and Juhi worked together as a team to help the run away prisoner. Not only that, but they fell in love with one another just as I'd hoped they would....
As for the acting... both Shahrukh and Juhi did a great job playing their roles. In addition to that, Juhi looked so glamorous and stunning in each and every scene!
One word for PBDHH's music.... amazing! Each song was special and unique in its own way, ranging from the comical dance number "Banke Tera Jogi" to the magical and romantic "Aur Kya."
Anyone who hasn't seen Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani should do so right away! It is a very cool and entertaining film and I would recommend it to anyone. Definitely one of SRK-Juhi's best! Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani will surely leave you with a smile on your face!
Overall, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani deserves a 10/10! -
julie_vel13 February 2017The film starts very nice and easy , allows the viewer to get used to the main characters and get to know them well enough. The story goes on to get more serious and in the same time not being overly dramatic or too much in your face. There is a lot of comedy brilliantly positioned on the right places.
The cast is one of the best things about PBDHH. Shahrukh Khan plays his part excellently and you fall in love with his character pretty soon. Juhi Chawla is brilliant and brings the movie to a new level. She is one of the few Indian actresses who refuse to give the spotlight only to the hero of the movie.Her comedy timing and amazing facial expressions deserve to be applauded. Shahrukh and Juhi together are pure magic on screen. They compliment each other very well and are doing justice to their roles. Someone who really deserves mentioning is Johny Lever who delivers the best comic scenes in the movie. The rest of the cast is also doing a great job and no character is left behind.
The movie has a frame and a story-line which keep you watching till the end. The overall message is strong and leaves the viewer satisfied.
Overall an excellent Indian movie which gives you comedy , romance , drama and a good story. If you are a fan of Indian cinema and want to see some quality I recommend you to watch it. -
navinkhaware17 February 2020Movie was way ahead of its time. Couldn't understand then why the film flopped may be because of overacting by SRK or georgia's effect. People expected a romcon but turned to be product which was attempted before in main azad hoon. It is still reparable to today's media circus where politics and media barons the move hand in hand.
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yogeshsirsat-3402324 August 2021This type of movies needs more attention to motivate movie makers to make more this type of movies.
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callawhite25 July 2022While this may not seem like a great movie for today's times if you didn't grow up in the 90s, it's actually a good movie. For it's time, this movie was quite good- it flopped because it was ahead of its time.
It depicts the nexus between the media and politicians- and how they can never be unbiased. It may seem like a simplistic take, but it was a poignant transition for Hindi cinema to more realistic cinema in the next decade. However, sadly Bollywood took the leap but somewhere lost itself along the way.
SRK is his usual awkward comedic self, and the supporting cast is okay. I love Juhi Chawla as always- her comedic timing is unmatched and she is a real gem that people have forgotten. Sometimes I watch these movies out of nostalgia, but they do surprise me at times - if you can look past some of the dated comedy of the time/ over the top scenes, the message is actually quite poignant and important. -
Its a movie which tries to encompass love, comedy, and dark comedy. But it seldom happens that all three can be added effectively into one flick.
The movie starts from the light- hearted professional rivalry of Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, turns into a love story somewhere in the middle, and then turns into a a vitriolic satire on the society, system and law. The strongest part of this movie is the direction (a director ought to be a good story teller and Aziz Mirza excels in it.) and of course, the music by Jatin- Lalit ranges from an average to the Excellent, especially in songs like "aur kya...".
Shah Rukh Khan, in some scenes overacts, while Juhi constantly maintains her performance level, Paresh Rawal is extremely wonderful as the convict, he represents the common man, and steals the scenes from SRK and Juhi. Dilip Tahil and Satish Shah are too good as epicentres of laughter while Johnny Lever is just OK. Bottom Line: A feel good movie. -
cableanna13 November 2023SRK as Barney Stinson? SRK as Jim Carrey? SRK as Elvis Presley?
Honestly, it's a pretty awesome movie satirizing the TRP hungry Indian news channels and opportunistic media and also exposing the corruption of politcians. This did not deserve to flop. It's a highly entertaining film with all commercial elements expected from a mainstream Bollywood movie.
When the news reporter asks Mohan Joshi character on live television how he is feeling as he is about to be hanged is so messed up. What's wrong with Mohan Joshi killing the rapist of his daughter? Nothing. Nada.
There's a portion of the film where the corrupt politicians cause a riot to break out wherein the film temporarily turns into a completely different film with some really hard hitting shots of the riots. The entire riot sequence looks like a documentary.
The romantic and comedic track comprising of Ajay and Ria's initial rivalry, rivalry of their respective media channels, Johnny Lever parts, the one where Ajay and Ria disguise as Japanese/Chinese is absolutely hilarious. The opening scene of Ajay interviewing a expert trying to diffuse a bomb live is so funny.
Coming to the songs, it is one of the best albums of the year. Banke Tera Jogi, Aur Kya, I am the best, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani are especially amazing. Aur Kya has a connection to Jim Carrey's The Truman Show. Did you catch it?
The title track is a unique satire on the dichotomy of a globalized, progressive and a hopeful India still holdling on to what makes India and Indians unique.
I am actually flabbergasted as to how this film did not work at the box office. There's also thrilling action in this when Ajay and Ria are being chased. Patriotic elements of the film are honestly among the best in Indian cinema. Ajay Bakshi talking to the common man through TV, people coming to the streets to demand justice for Mohan Joshi, a common man who is wronged by power-hungry and corrupt politicians, standing up to the police with the power of the national flag, Ajay Bakshi saving Mohan Joshi at the last minute are goosebumps inducing. It is truly a film ahead of its time.
Oh man, that banana joke 😂😂😂 SRK and Juhi are just so cute together and they also have equal roles in this.
Such films really deserve to be re-released. -
AleksaandraPL6 April 2021As non-Indian Polish lover of Bollywood I recommend "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani" for Shah Rukh Khan's fans and because of its unique and still fresh plot on relations between media, business and politics shown aptly in a satirical way.
Film, released in 2000, with its melodious songs, bright colours and art of shooting belongs to the 90s aesthetics in a good way.
I liked most of the songs, particularly "Banke Tera Jogi" and its picturisation with Johnny Lever's character breaking into safe. "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani", "I am the best" and "Kuch To Bata" also fit well with the action and caught my ear.
I liked the romance between Ajay and Ria and their development as reporters when discovering and defending the truth. The commercialization of media and interactions between media and politics are a really good satire (e.g. Mechanism of creating a terrorist, interview with hangman). The climax scenes of the marching people under Indian flag bring further drama. Comedian subplots with Pappu Junior are ridiculously funny (even the Chinese reporters).
All these plots separately are good. However, for me they do not fit together in one film - probably too much "masala". There are two powerful, very good scenes - city riots and the story of Mohan Joshi. Their reality just clashes too much with romantic and satirical scenes. Cheesy dialogue between Ria and Ajay at the very end of the film is a sweet closure but out of place right after the scenes that precede it.
Film is well performed, also in supporting roles. As for SRK, as Ajay Bakshi he gives solid performance, shifting easily from comedy to drama, romancing with Juhi Chawla's character Ria, though I don't like tears in his eyes during his final dramatic TV appearance. That kind of acting just does not work for me.
Juhi Chawla is charming and very convincing as Ria. Paresh Rawal as Mohan Joshi is very good. Johny Lever's Pappu Junior to be remembered.
It's not the SRK's acting that I particularly recommend here for SRK's fans (though nothing to complain about). PBDHH is first independent production of SRK, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza. It was not a success in cinemas but it shows somehow what kind of movies SRK wanted to produce when, at the top of his career as an actor, he decided to start his own film business.
It's not the best ever Bollywood movie and it's not the best performance by SRK. I recommend it, however, to all classic Bollywood lovers and SRK fans. It reminds me of SRK's 1999 "Badshah", but for me, from 2021 perspective, "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani" is much better and more up to date. Try and enjoy it! -
Natalia Adriana7 April 2000If you've seen Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, I'd dare say you would say Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is da' bomb. Well, I totally agree. Actually, it's not that I don't like this movie, it's just that this movie is more into politics, hates and revenge than love and comedy.
But Shahrukh Khan is the best actor (well, besides Salman Khan and Aamir Khan), but I'd rather say this movie is quite boring from the middle until the ends. Hope that Shah Rukh Khan will produce more love movies in the future. -
nadineelkhamissy21 January 2022Hi 👋 I love this movie actually when I was younger I wanted to work in a TV show and it was my first choice.
I love Juhi Chawla and Srk .
The song are very good , kuch to Bata is very funny 😄😆🤣😂😀😁 I love Johnny Lever in this movie and I specifically love the Japanese scene. Baba. It is a mix of drama,comedy and emotional movie.
I wish you will love this movie and his songs u can find it on egybest with subtitles and In movie to watch but with no subtitles. Ok have a nice day. -
A classic underrated film that was ahead of its time!! Should have been released in today's times!
SRK such an absolute charmer and great actor, love him to death!! His chemistry with Juhi is always great!
Juhi is gorgeous and absolutely great!
Love the songs from the movie, the title track is beautifully uplifting!
This movie seriously deserved more recognition and success!! A great attempt from Juhi and SRK in their first production venture :))
Can't believe that whenever SRK tries to do something experimental, the audience rejects it! An actor that we are proud to have in India, a proud Hindustani. -
shaikhirshad-4122317 January 2024A different take on Unique storyline of a media house whose keen to discover the truth behind justice.
Aziz Mirza direction is funny yet emotional in some aspects. Comedy touch to this film is a bonus and keeps the film intact and engaging till the end.
Though it has some overdrive scenes which wasn't necessary and can easily be cut but just for fun sake they added it.
Story is different and something unique to see at that time which is totally enjoyable as well as the screenplay which doesn't disappoint. Climax will get you emotional at the end and that's also a good way to end the film.
SHAHRUKH KHAN shines throughout the film with his acting, Screen presence same goes with JUHI CHAWLA with her outstanding performance in the film.
Supporting cast was phenomenal and well supported the script in the entire film.
Songs, Cinematography,Bgm outstanding and feel good vibe definitely.
Totally enjoyable film with unique story and definitely a hilarious ride.... -
MehdiRizvi-78672 July 2022It is an amazing movie with phenomenal acting, impactful messaging, good direction, and fun and lively songs!! Absolutely everything is perfect! I loved the movie!! It definitely should have been a hit!! If it was released in today's day and age, it would have been a hit as it deserves!! This movie is 100% recommended to watch!!!