MOVIE REVIEW "KISAAN"

Dayal Singh [Jackie Shroff], a widower, raises two very different sons; Aman [Arbaaz Khan] is formally schooled to become a city-based lawyer, while Jigar [Sohail Khan], through lack of funds and inclination towards anything other than farming, is kept by his father's side.

When Sohan Seth [Dalip Tahil], a shrewd businessman, convinces many beleaguered farmers to sell their land for his commercial interests, it shatters the harmony of the village and Dayal's family is jeopardized. Aman and Jigar are pitted against each other. The ground at their feet, is it motherland or simply property?

Surprisingly, KISAAN catches your attention from the word 'Go'. The sequence at the panchayat[Sohail Khan's intro] only enhances your interest in the film, but the film actually takes off when Arbaaz starts drifting away.

At the same time, KISAAN has its share of loose ends. Times have changed and the writers could've updated the content to suit the current times. Also, Arbaaz's change of heart towards the end looks like a complete compromise, from the writing point of view.

Puneet Sira has handled many a dramatic scene well. This is his finest work thus far. Daboo Malik's music is of a mixed variety. A couple of tunes are nice - 'Humko Kehna Hai' and 'Neechhe Saari Duniya Hain'. However, the visuals in the remix version of 'Mere Desh Ki Dharti' look out of sync. The makers should've maintained thedesi look. Neelabh Kaul's cinematography is nice. Action scenes [Mahendra Verma] are rustic, which gel well with the mood of the film.

Jackie is in form after a long, long time. Arbaaz doesn't make much of an impact, but Sohail does. In fact, Sohail is only getting better with every film. Dia enacts her part well, while Nauheed is alright. Dalip Tahil is as usual. Sharat Saxena and Vishwajeet Pradhan don't get much scope. Romeo is passable.

On the whole, KISAAN springs a pleasant surprise. At the box-office, the film is targeted at the Hindi belt and the single screens specifically. Also, this one deserves to be tax-exempted! last kisaan is a good film u watching it with your family..

MOVIE REVIEW "DADDY COOL"

Director K Murali Mohan Rao has helmed several interesting films in the past, but what's this? Sure, DADDY COOL has a few entertaining moments, like the one when Rajpal Yadav reveals the secret [that Sharat Saxena was gay and Rajpal and he were lovers], but the remaining sub-plots fail to cut ice. Adding multiple sub-plots is fine as long as each sub-plot has something fascinating to say, but that's missing here. Even the end is so bizarre, with members of this detached family suddenly professing love for one another.

There's just one song [Raghav Sachar] at the start [a tuneful number] and one towards the end. Dialogues are strictly okay.

With a weak screenplay on hand, there's not much the actors can do. The ones who try hard and manage are Suniel Shetty, Jaaved Jaffery, Sophie Choudry, Chunky Pandey and Prem Chopra.

On the whole, DADDY COOL fails to deliver what it promises - laughter and entertainment.

MOVIE REVIEW "KAMINEY"

KAMINEY is about a pair of twin brothers, Charlie and Guddu [Shahid Kapoor]. Charlie lisps, while Guddu stammers. They are as different as chalk and cheese. And they can't stand the sight of each other. Till one fateful rainy night, their lives cross.

Charlie gets mixed up in a deathly get-rich-quick scheme, while Guddu realizes that the love of his life, Sweety [Priyanka Chopra], has unwittingly put a price on his head. The brothers are sucked into a world of drugs, guns and money. Their lives collide head on with the lives of gangsters, rebel soldiers, rogue politicians and crooked cops.

The brothers have to run to protect themselves, their dreams, their love. And most importantly, realize that all they have is each other.

It takes time to get used to the world Vishal Bhardwaj wants us to enter. The characters, the relationships, the lingo, the tone and the setting... frankly, you don't take to KAMINEY instantly. But twenty minutes into the film and things start falling in place. From thereon, you're drawn into a different world completely.

The interval point raises the bar and also the expectations. The story takes a dramatic turn at this juncture, but minutes before that, 'Dhan Te Nan' makes the proceedings exhilarating and stimulating.

Right from the sequence after the interval to the finale, Vishal Bhardwaj peels off layer after layer, which erupts like a volcano towards the end. The end is long drawn and with so many characters in the film, it only takes time to give a culmination to each of those characters. And that gets tedious. The violent end might not find universal acceptance. Vishal Bhardwaj proves that he's a master storyteller. KAMINEY is a damn difficult film to conceptualize and execute and Vishal does it with gusto. Besides the soundtrack ['Dhan Te Nan'], the effectual background score only enhances the impact. The dialogues, also penned by Vishal, are super. At places, clapworthy. Tassaduq Hussain's cinematography is top notch.

Shahid takes a really big leap with KAMINEY. Note how he handles the two characters, Guddu and Charlie, brilliantly. This film is a step to superstardom and also which will open new doors and vistas for him as an actor. Priyanka is first-rate. She's so much in sync with her character. Also, she gets the Maharashtrian accent perfect. Amole Gupte is outstanding. An incredible actor! Tenzing Nima and Chandan Roy Sanyal leave a solid impression. Shiv Subrahmanyam and Hrishikesh Joshi are perfect.

On the whole, KAMINEY lives up to the hype associated with it. The film has three stars - Vishal Bhardwaj [a name that's immensely respected by moviegoers], Shahid Kapoor and 'Dhan Te Nan' - and this combo as also the crooked characters and a genuinely hatke subject should guarantee ample footfalls in cineplexes even after its initial weekend. The weekend business should be huge due to the holidays all through the weekend: Friday [Janmashtami], Saturday [Independence Day] and Sunday. Of course, the business is bound to be affected in parts of Mumbai territory due to Swine Flu, but the film should take off in a big way when theatres re-open.

MOVIE REVIEW "LIFE PARTNER"

LIFE PARTNER also surprises you because Rumy Jaffery incorporates vignettes from real life. Most importantly, LIFE PARTNER entertains, makes you laugh [at even silly jokes] and keeps you hooked for most parts of the film. It's only the climax that acts as a spoilsport. But more on that later!

To sum up, LIFE PARTNER carries no buzz and also the baggage of zilch expectations. But this film springs a pleasant surprise. You leave the auditorium with a smile, not a smirk!

Karan [Fardeen Khan] and Sanjana [Genelia D'Souza] are madly in love with each other. Marriage is the next step to cement their relationship. But is 'love marriage' the right way to be?

For Bhavesh [Tusshar Kapoor], his life partner, Prachi [Prachi Desai], comes with the approval of his family. But is 'arranged marriage' the way forward? Is it right to prioritize family over marriage? Does Prachi have to prove herself as a worthy daughter-in-law to qualify as an ideal wife?

Jeet [Govinda] is an accomplished divorce lawyer who does not believe in the institution of marriage. He can't be monogamous and is often responsible for his getting his clients divorced. But is 'no marriage' the right policy? Will Jeet ever find a partner and accept matrimony?

LIFE PARTNER is about three protagonists struggling on the marital marathon, but on different tracks.

Govinda is in terrific form this time. After PARTNER, the talented actor gets a role that does complete justice to his abilities. He seems to have worked on his looks and that only enhances the impact. Fardeen Khan is very likable. In fact, the role requires him to go overboard at times and he does that so well. Genelia D'Souza is the scene stealer. She's superb and one of the prime reasons that makes LIFE PARTNER watchable.

Tusshar Kapoor pitches a remarkable performance yet again. He looks so perfect for his part. LIFE PARTNER is yet another film that showcases his talent well. Prachi Desai showed abundant promise in ROCK ON!! and excels in LIFE PARTNER too. This pretty girl has the potential to carry off most difficult scenes with aplomb. Amrita Rao [sp. app.] doesn't create magic. Anupam Kher is just right. Darshan Jariwala is proficient. Vikram Gokhale is good. Jagdeep is superb in a brief role.

On the whole, LIFE PARTNER may lack the hype, but this one springs a pleasant surprise. It's aimed at the families and that section of movie-going audience should take to it gradually, with a strong word of mouth. The holidays in its opening weekend should help the film grow! altleast one time must watched this movie................................with blessing chirag shah

MOVIE REVIEW "TERE SANG"

The two observations hold true for Satish Kaushik, who's known for dramatic/masala entertainers and who changes gears so swiftly with TEREE SANG.

Now let's begin... First and foremost, TEREE SANG is not JUNO. The resemblance starts and ends with an adolescent getting pregnant. TEREE SANG is not KYA KEHNA either. TEREE SANG mirrors what's happening in society vividly. But, at the same time, it's not dark or disturbing, nor does it get preachy.

Satish Kaushik steps into a new territory with TEREE SANG and throws a pleasant surprise at viewers. The entire first half is so real, so identifiable and the execution of the subject is so interesting that you get instantly drawn into Kabir and Maahi's worlds. The passionate kiss that they share, which leads to a sexual encounter, is also maturely depicted on screen by the director.

But it's the second hour that's problematic. It becomes yet another version of BOBBY and LOVE STORY, with the kids eloping and the warring parents thirsting for each other's blood. These portions don't appeal primarily because too much seems to happen too soon. A roof over the head, a spacious mansion with all amenities and necessities in place, an instant job et al... all this in a matter of a few days in a new township seems so unreal.

Thankfully, the film comes on track in the penultimate portions. The moment the girl calls up her father and set things straight - from this point onwards, TEREE SANG is back on its feet. Of course, the courtroom drama could've been far more impactful

Rajat Kapoor is excellent. Neena Gupta is natural. Satish Kaushik delivers a winning performance. The viewers will love him. Sushmita Mukherjee Bundela is first-rate. Anupam Kher, in a brief role, is perfect.

On the whole, TEREE SANG has a new story tell and that is its biggest USP. At the box-office, the film may be a slow starter, but has the merits to pick up with word of mouth if the youth as also the family audiences take to it.

MOVIE REIVEW OF AGYAAT

Cast: Priyanka Kothari, Nitin Reddy

The only line that makes sense in the script of Agyaat says, “Kamyabi ka insaan ke kaam se kya matlab?” (What does success of a person have to do with the excellence of his work?). Certainly it applies to Ram Gopal Varma. His last horror flick Phoonk was a hit and Agyaat claims to have recovered investment even before its release. But what does success have to do with the caliber of one’s work?

From the very outset this supposed spook-fest goes miserably wrong with an item number in the title credits. Agyaat has a film-inside-film setting where a movie unit ventures inside deep jungle for shooting. Strangely the only scene they film there is another item number in an indoor set. The hero agrees for the film merely to be with the heroine and never bothers to ask for the script. RGV disregards his screenplay with as much nonchalance and this forest film simply goes to the dogs.

Non-stars aren’t a problem but RGV ropes in non-actors (rather ham-kings) who keep the budget low and decibel levels high. Even the headcount is kept small with just around 10 members making up for the entire cast and crew of the film. Ramu adds odd traits to each character and makes them act abnormally, though the deliberation leads to no difference.

So you have a South Indian producer (Ishrat Ali) in an eternally jaw-dropping ‘aaiyoo aaiyoo’ mode. The eccentric director (Howard Rosemeyer) is as wooden as the pencil he nibbles on perpetually. It’s irritating to look at the jungle guide (Joy Fernandes) who doesn’t believe in blinking. The hero (Gautam Rode) keeps throwing tantrums and the heroine (Priyanka Kothari) keeps shedding clothes.

The lack of sane performances is substituted by Mr. Camera and Mrs. Background music. But Ramu makes them overact as well with continual revolutionary (read revolving) cinematography and screechy score. In fact the theme track is a regurgitated version of the legendary song Kahi Deep Jale Kahin Dil from the horror classic Bees Saal Baad and one dopey item song claims itself to be a tribute to Zeenat Aman’s Hare Krishna Hare Ram. Talk about laughing in a horror film! What’s actually horrific about the film is the awful singing in these tracks.

At the outset, one might want to acknowledge Ram Gopal Varma for choosing an unconventional plot. But through its annoying execution, Agyaat only invites ridicule. The director merely conceives half a dozen death sequences in the forest and absolutely ignores to unveil the evil forces behind it. Relax if you are crying a spoiler there; this film has scope for none. The maverick director takes his title a bit too seriously and keeps the evil forces of the forest ‘unknown’ beyond the end credits. In fact your psyche is teased beyond belief with anticipation of a sequel as you realize this jungle has just made a scapegoat out of you.

Amidst all this murderous mayhem, the actual hero (Nitin Reddy) still has the inclination to confess love to his screen heroine in the climax. Agyaat comes nowhere close to the much-speculated Predator though the director takes ‘path-breaking’ references from Tremors. Ram Gopal Varma would still like to call it an Indian version of The Blair Witch Project. Years later, this noisy nameless attempt would be referred to as ‘Which Blare project?’

By Chirag Shah :- Rating * * * 3 out of 5.........so enter jungle at your own risk

LOVE AAJ KAL NOT BETTER

"LOVE AAJ KAL" IS NOT BETTER MOVIE IN COMPARE "JAB WE MATE"

All along while watching Love Aaj Kal, I was constantly reminded of Jab We met. The mannerism of the movie, the overall feel, the characterization of the lead female protagonist and her dialogues, they all had the distinct Imtiaz Ali touch. The movie largely feels fresh. There are sequences which are definitely typical Imtiaz Ali specials. But overall, this movie falls short of being a movie that you’d love to watch again. Sure it’s worth a one time watch, it’s a way better film than the usual Bollywood hits raking the mullah in the box office (Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif starrers), but this movie is no Jab We Met either.

If Imtiaz Ali’s movies are about spontaneity of the female protagonists, exuberance and free spirit, absence of melodrama, and stories largely in the realm of believability, then this film also for the most part delivers on these things. The movie has a typical rom-com feel-good candy floss feel about it but it also suffers from the typical commercial Bollywood ailments like throwing in totally unnecessary songs at unwarranted situations and breaking the build up of the narrative.

LAK has all the components which made JWM such a lovable movie. Right in the beginning of the movie there’s Mohit Chauhan’s song, but sadly unlike JWM, here the song feels forced. Sufficient build up is absent. Audience won’t connect with the feeling of the song.

In the same vein, there are many sequences which break the Bollywood cliche, which deliver the exact opposite of what you see in typical Bollywood movies but then You had seen extremely similar sequences in JWM. So, the audience almost knows what’s going to happen. Due to the predictability this film doesn’t have the surprise element that JWM had.At half time, my feeling was that it was more like a let down. The second half though was decidedly better.

Rishi Kapoor churns out another warm performance and it was always going to be a difficult task for Saif Ali Khan to play the younger Rishi Kapoor and manage being as affable and warm as Rishi. I personally felt this was a real letdown. Saif shouldn’t have played the younger Rishi. I started having huge problems in accepting the movie right there.

As far as the story line is concerned, among the two love stories portrayed, the old love story is great while the new one is largely irritating. Except for the Mohit Chauhan song, the music of this film is a deterrent and the absence of it would have served the movie much better.

Acting wise this could be Deepika Padukone’s best effort so far. She looked very natural and was not woody woody unlike her earlier movies. Saif Ali khan turns out another usual confused-funny-saif-type performance. Rishi kapur is heart warming and how You wish he somehow pulled of playing his younger avatar too.

The movie has all the wonderful locations – London, San Francisco, Delhi and Kolkata, places which offer tremendous potential for beautiful cinematography, and then there are the usual slo mo’s, the flashbacks but some how, they all prove the same thing, you need a good story at the heart of it.

In conclusion I’d say this movie is definitely an watchable one. But unless you are a teen ager or going through the first major infatuation of your life, you may not wish to see it again. Much more was expected of Imtiaz Ali and while this movie through numerous sequences is a testimony to his special touch, it just fails to create those cinematic moments of magic that one associates with him. This film may go down as a major box office hit but wouldn’t satisfy Imtiaz fans.

P.S. Comparing this movie to Jab We Met in the title as well as in the content of this post might seem like an unfair foundation, but the biggest reason why this movie succeeds may be just Jab We Met.

FIRST DAY FIRST SHOW "LOVE AAJ KAL"

FIRST DAY RESPONCE BETTER "LOVE AAJ KAL"

Despite giving 2008's first hit in "Race", Saif's "Tashan", "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" and animated venture "Roadside Romeo" (voice-over) fell flat at the box office. So did Deepika's much-hyped "Chandni Chowk To China" opposite Akshay Kumar.

"Love Aaj Kal" is not only Saif's first outing this year, it is also his debut as producer.

"'Love Aaj Kal' is garnering a lot of buzz. In fact it is after long that a proper love story is coming on screen. The concept is novel and will draw a good initial. It is also expected to re-boost Saif and Deepika's career after their flops," Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan told IANS.

"The promotion of the film has been very good and the songs are already a hit. Moreover Saif is in a double role in the movie, which will be something to watch out for," he added.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the movie has been co-produced by Saif, Dinesh Vijan and Sunil A. Lulla.

Also starring Rishi Kapoor, Shweta Gulati and Rahul Khanna, the movie is said to be a remake of Taiwanese film "Three Times", which the producers have denied. Neetu Singh also makes her comeback with the film in a cameo.

"'Love Aaj Kal' is one of the most relevant films to come out in a long time...it looks at relationships in a very new light and a very new language," Vijan posted on the movie's official website.

"The film's storyline is such that any common man can relate to it. It's so real and as you watch the film, you would feel that so many instances shown in it have happened to you too in real life," said Deepika.

"The film has a universal appeal. Whether it's the younger or the older generation, all will be able to identify with the proceedings," she added.

Showing love in two different eras - 1965 and 2009 - through Veer Singh and Jai Vardhan Singh respectively, the film is about the essence of love that never changes.

While Jai treats matters of the heart without passion and parts with from his lady love Meera (Deepika) in the name of being practical, Veer is naive about his love for Harleen (Shweta) and travels long distances to catch a glimpse of her, but fails to open his heart in front of her.

As both stories unfold, the broad message it gives is that relationships might be different in different eras, but the experience of being in love remains the same.

The film has got an unprecedented buzz due to its share of controversies too.

First it was in the news for its unabashed kissing scenes and the lead actors mouthing expletives and then the Punjabi Cultural And Heritage Board objected to Saif's bearded look and reasoned that Sikhs do not sport a trimmed beard as sported by him in the film.

All controversies at rest, the director is neither excited nor nervous before the release.

MOVIE REVIEW "LOVE AAJ KAL"

Come to think of it, if the film carries the 'burden' of humungous expectations, it's imperative that it goes beyond those expectations. The reaction after watching the film has to be similar to a child who has laid his hands on his fav toy. The joyous smile would say it all. The question is, does LOVE AAJ KAL live up to the hype and hoopla surrounding it? Or does it go beyond that?

LOVE AAJ KAL is not an easy film to write and execute. Sure, it's a love story, but it's not one of those mundane love stories that talks of love and heartache. Here, the two stories, set in different eras, run parallel, but have a similar end.

LOVE AAJ KAL travels multiple continents and different eras. The subject matter is novel, never attempted before, but the material, the characters [Saif and Deepika especially] as also its execution is targeted at the youth in big cities mainly. As they say in filmi lingo, this one's a hardcore multiplex movie.

Another area where Imtiaz Ali experiments is by depicting Saif as the young Rishi Kapoor. It's a novel concept, no two opinions on that, but the question is, will it cut ice universally? Will people tend to get confused when the sequences turn sepia?

The film captivates in bits and spurts in the initial portions. Partly because the writing is so different. But the writing breaks new grounds in the second hour. It's in this hour that the film grips you completely, when the fragmented pieces are put together and a mesmeric picture emerges.

The second hour is the soul of the film. Right from the time Deepika decides to marry, till the last reunion, the film touches an emotional high. The sequence of events that lead to the culmination is incredible. Saif's interaction with Deepika at the marriage, or the gradual change in Saif's behaviour in the U.S. in the course of a song, or the realisation that marriage was a big mistake... moments like these take LOVE AAJ KAL to dizzy heights.

Imtiaz Ali is a genius. The film bears the stamp of an accomplished storyteller. This is a forward-thinking film that handles the new-age relationships with complete understanding. The songs compliment the goings-on beautifully. This is amongst Pritam's accomplished works. 'Twist' [already a rage], 'Aahun Aahun' [foot-taping], 'Chor Bazaari' [melodious] and 'Dooriyaan' [melancholic], each song is a gem. N. Natarajan Subramaniam's cinematography is fantastic. Editing [Aarti Bajaj] is wonderful.

Both Saif and Deepika come up with their career-best performances in LOVE AAJ KAL. Saif carries the most difficult parts with remarkable ease. Sure, we've seen him as the cool, urban guy in several films, but this one's the most demanding role and only a seasoned actor could've delivered it with such precision.

Deepika looks ethereal. Most importantly, in LOVE AAJ KAL, she acts very, very well. Matching up to Saif is no mean achievement and she does it in several scenes. This should be the turning point in her career. Rishi Kapoor is top notch. The actress enacting the role of Harleen is pretty. Rahul Khanna does well in a small, but significant role. Watching Neetu Kapoor in the end sequence is truly astonishing. She's so graceful.

On the whole, LOVE AAJ KAL is for the young and romantic at heart. Sure, it's not perfect, but the terrific performances, melodious music and stirring emotional moments [last 35 odd minutes] more than compensate for the hiccups. At the box-office, the film should start with a bang for four factors -- its novel cast, super music, great promotion and yes, Imtiaz Ali, a name that commands respect amongst moviegoers. Released extensively [approx. 1800 screens worldwide], LOVE AAJ KAL will have one of the biggest first weeks in India and also in the international markets. In India, the business will be superb across multiplexes, while single screens might not behave as energetically. But the business at multiplexes will ensure a fantastic recovery of the investment. Internationally, it has the potential to emerge one of the biggest grossers in recent times.

MOVIE REVIEW "LOVE AAJ KAL"

Love Aaj KalIs love today different from what it was in the past when lovers like Laila-Majnu or Romeo-Juliet perished in each other’s arms? Today, in the age of online romance and one-night stands, many would say love is just a whirlwind. But no! ‘Love Aaj Kal’ will have you believe that certain things don’t change with the passage of time.
CastThe movie, directed by Imtiaz Ali , stars Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone as lovers in different time periods.
LOVE AAJ KAL STORYLondon, San Francisco, Delhi - 2009.Jai and Meera are a modern-day couple in London. They are very happy together but do not believe in tying each other down. So when life pulls them in different directions, they decide to go with the flow.
Jai doesn’t believe in eternal love. "These Heer-Ranjha, Romeo-Juliet type janam janam ka saath type couples exist only in story books," Jai says. In the real life, we have to be practical.
Delhi, Calcutta - 1965.Veer Singh is struck by a thunderbolt when he sees Harleen for the first time. Soon after, he stands under a tree and swears that "is janam mein aur har janam mein... yehi meri votti banegi - Harleen Kaur."
So smitten is Veer with Harleen that he travels a thousand kilometers by train to stand under her balcony only to have a glimpse of her face. And yet not speak a word with her.
Veer does not understand how Jai can treat matters of the heart without passion, like a financial transaction. Jai does not understand how Veer Singh could have been so naïve and silly about Harleen in the days of his youth.
But as both stories unfold, we realize that the process of relationship might be different in different eras, but the experience of being in love remains the same.
There is the frolic and despair of modern living, the liberation and confusion. And there is the past - the times of innocence and compulsion. And there is distance, and the fondness that increases with distance. Gaps widen between two people, but bridges keep growing too.
‘Love Aaj Kal’ marks the birth of production house Illuminati Films, owned by Saif Ali Khan and partner Dinesh Vijan. Sunil Lilla is the co-producer.
The movie also stars Rishi Kapoor , Neetu Singh and Rahul Khanna in significant roles. There’s also a cameo by a British model named Florence.
In his director’s note, Imtiaz Ali writes that most of ‘Love Aaj Kal’ was written during long-distance flights between London, San Francisco and Delhi. No doubt these are also the places where the film’s story is set.
Imtiaz Ali writes: Making this movie has felt like being in a moving caravan – a circus that travels from place to place, opens its wares and performs the show, then folds up, waves goodbye as it moves on to the next shore, the next group of prospective friends.
‘Love Aaj Kal’ has music by Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil.
Releasing Date : 31st July all over world…..