Movie Review: Anjaana Anjaani….ajab prem ki ‘not so gazab’ kahani

Its wild…its whacky..its fresh..these were the adjectives in one’s mind while watching this movie…but that was before one reached the interval stage..and after having completed the movie..dismay, dejection and disappointment loomed

Its too uncanny to be a coincidence. Of the last few Bollywood outings I have gone for, each of them has had the same problem..a promising premise but poorly dealt with. Alas, Anjaana Anjaani too suffers the same fate.

The movie starts off almost Hollywoodish..running at a brisk pace with the story of both leads being unfolded bit by bit. Though, rather depressing due to the premise its built on, especially in the first half, the only complaint one can make is the lack of laughter/ funny situations/ humor that is an essential element of such movies. Its the second half of the movie though that’s the real dampener. Apart from one hilarious sequence (which again takes you to the land of ‘what could have been’), the movie drags unnecessarily beyond limits and gets tedious and irritating. The message the movie tries to portray is also blatant and in-your-face whereas it ought to have been implied and subtle.

The only reason why Anjaana Anjaani works to some degree is due to its two leads. Easily the hottest property in B-Town today, both Ranbir and Priyanka do justice to their roles and while there’s not too much to emote or portray..the pair look so good on screen that it makes the movie seem almost worthwhile

The music is good but far too many songs are packed into the movie, especially in the second half. Had it been half an hour shorter and with a few more funny sequences thrown in and a little less melodrama, this flick would’ve been a blast, but as it stands, I wouldn’t bet my money on it if I were you. Play it safe and catch the DVD when it comes out..it would be time and money well saved.

Movie Review: Robot….Nooooo!!!!

The Robot in the movie ‘Robot’ is named ‘Chitty’. (Don’t ask me why they couldn’t come up with a better name). During the interval one of my friends cried out in sheer frustration: ‘Chitty nahi yaar yeh toh cheating ho gayee….’. One couldn’t have summed it up better.

Over the past few weeks, I am beginning to realize the true meaning of the term ‘occupational hazard’ having to review movies like these.If Robot is what director Shankar could come up with spending an insane amount of money, I think that money would have been much better spent in charity instead. Meaningless, frustrating, irritating, agonizing would be the popular adjectives in the movie hall if you make the mistake of watching it there.

To be fair, Robot starts with a lot of promise. There seems to be a decent build up and the story seems to be in place. I thought it was a brilliant ploy- knowing that Rajni movies are supposed to have that larger than life feel about them, what better than to portray him as a Robot. It would make every feat seem plausible…every impossible stunt or action, doable. Come to think of it, isn’t that what the Wachowski Brothers did in the Matrix? – create the world of the matrix where all these gravity defying stunts are justified. (Sorry, I shouldn’t insult a masterpiece like the matrix by comparing it here).

Anyway, the second half proved me wrong…and way off the mark. Forget gravity defying…completely idiotic scenes put together with God knows what purpose. Silly action scenes which become just plain irritating as the film progresses. I heard some people called the last hour as the most ‘entertaining’ part of the movie. Suffice it to say that it is heart breaking what some of our film-makers get away with these days..in the name of entertainment.

In terms of the acting, don’t bother your head over why an actress like Ash agreed to sign up for such a movie especially given the role she played. She doesn’t have much to do other than play a glam doll which I don’t think is her forte anyway, though she does look gorgeous all throughout. Superstar Rajni on the other hand, does justice to his role, though he tends to go over the top at times.

Don’t even get me started on the song and dance routine. By the time the last song comes, you’ll be ready to tear your hair out. Though the music has been directed by the Maestro A R Rahman, its a rare ever disappointing offering by him.

There is pretty much nothing that is unmissable in this movie so I can’t think of any reason why I should push you to waste your cash. Unless, of course, you are part of the Rajni fan following, in which case no amount of convincing will keep you away from the silver screen.

In any case, I’ve lost a few precious hours and got a headache in the process..if you want to suffer the same fate be my guest and go ahead and watch it.