Jun 02, 2001 04:15 PM
3701 Views
Albela means unique. The theme does no go smooth with name.
Albela is one confused film and it seems difficult to believe that a gifted writer like Honey Irani could churn such a hash. Apparently the director believes that good camera work and a good star cast will hold the show. Tony (Govinda) is an easygoing tourist guide who thoroughly enjoys his job, placed in the scenic locale of Malaga, Goa. Out of the blue he is contacted by a mystic who tells him that he will encounter a beautiful, light-eyed woman from across the seas and this would change his life dramatically.Well, what next? Obviously hero meets his light-eyed damsel. He bumps into Sonia (Aishwarya Rai), while on the lookout for prospective customers. Sonia has just arrived from Austria and … well…has light eyes and Tony decides that this is his ladylove bestowed to him from heaven. Ahem! Tony becomes her self-appointed tourist guide. Sonia, we are told, is not in Goa for sightseeing. She has, in actuality, come in search for her mother's grave.Tony sticks close to her and takes her around town. Somewhere in the midst of this taking-around Sonia forgets why she is in Goa and indulges in a couple of dances around some Goan trees. Tony has decided he is in love with her and makes no bones about it. Of course this hurts his child-hood sweetheart (don’t they all have one?!) Nina (Namrata Shirodkar). Of course, everybody except the object of armor is aware of Tony’s big crush. If there isn’t enough of mess in this story there comes the twist in the form of Jackie Shroff. Just at the supposed end of Sonai’s trip, she spots Prem (Shroff) and we are back into the past. Sonia and Prem were in love but had to break up. The story goes on…Albela has distinct whiffs of Raja Hindustani. Only RH was handled better. Govinda is good as always. Aishwarya tries her best to hold up. They make a good pair. Namrata Shirodkar and Jackie Shroff are wasted. Sonia and Prem love story somehow seems totally contrived. The story twits and turns and never really gets anywhere and end up leaving the viewer feeling totally deflated. Music is average, while the cinematography is brilliant.
Only meant for Govinda or Aishwarya fans.
My personal Rating is (poor).
Regards
Sonia
