Jan 26, 2003 10:39 AM
4504 Views
(Updated Jan 26, 2003 12:52 PM)
Good Movie. Old story, fresh narration. The story is what our grandparents have seen in the movies of their time. But the narration and perspective are quite fresh and new. Plus this movie reaches out to a much wider audience, as it is made in English. Well atleast most of it. All the songs are in Hindi. And there is a sprinkling of Hindi and Punjabi dialogues.
I did not want to reveal the plot, but when I say that it is an oft-repeated story, I have to reveal some of the plot.
Well I will try to imitate the style of a producer explaining the story to a financier.
Indian man (Rahul Khanna) living in US have white girlfriend. Mother (Moushami) and grandma (The Late Dina Pathak) against relationship. Girlfriend die in accident. Indian man heartbroken. Mother use emotional pressure to make him marry Indian girl. He agree but even mother and grandma not like any girl called for interview. Mother tell Indian man, find a girl to marry before the date set for sisters wedding. Any girl as long as Indian roots. Else sisters wedding plans postponed. Sister tells Indian man I am pregnant. So no postponement. Indian man go to bar, order a drink. Sitting nearby is Sue (Lisa Ray). She strike up conversation. He hire her to play act as his fiancée just until the sister's wedding is over. OK I guess that’s enough. All Indian readers would know that the rest of the story is history. All non Indian readers I suggest first see the movie “Dulhan wahi jo piya man bhaye” ((Hindi - 1977). Starring: Prem Kishen, Rameshwari. Director: Lekh Tandon),
you will know what I mean. Many other movies also have used the same base plot only in some movies it is the girl who hires a guy to pose as her fiancé.
Sorry, ignore earlier advice. For the reader who cannot understand Hindi easily, it will be futile to see Dulhan wahi …. . Instead I revise my suggestion that you should see (if not already seen) the hollywood movie : It started with Eve. Dulhan wahi …… was Inspired by the same.
About this movie, it is definitely worth seeing. I loved the way the story is told. I really enjoyed the songs. They are quite catchy. The cast also includes Kulbhushan Kharbanda (lisa’s father) and Ranjit Chowdhary of Coming To America fame, (Family driver who moonlights as a Drag Pop star.)
As for the music, Sandeep Chowta has created the right mix with some fresh new young voices among the mix of veterans like Sonu Nigam and Alisha Chinai. Catchy fun songs like Rang rang mere rang rang main(Liked It), Jawani aai hai kayamat aai hai and Dil kabootar khana hai (My favorite. Is picturised on the Driver in drag) and romantic ones like Suni hawa suni ghata, the soundtrack is certainly worth a review of its own.
From the cast:
Rahul Khanna: Plays the Indian Millionaire. Acceptable.
Lisa Ray: Not seen her earlier on screen, good acting skills, hers was the best character, guess we will see her often now. Atleast I hope so.
Ranjit Chowdhary: One word. WOW.
Late Dina Pathak: Stately, great to hear her speak in English. Emotes command.
Kulbhusan Kharbanda: Natural Punjabi.
Moushami Chatterjee: Melodramatic. Wrong choice, Rima lagoo would have been better. But not too bad also.
Other Mentions:
The others who played the characters of Sister (Should I comment on her?), Brother (Pest), Mother of Sue (No comments, not much onscreen presence.) and WWF – I don’t want to talk about him.
Father of rahul – didn’t get his name – well as such he’s dead, but keeps appearing as a ghost to remind rahul of his promise to keep mother happy.
There was one scene which was Non vegetarian – what to do !
The Scene that I liked the best was when the Grandma was grilling the White Girl (Jessica Pare – Sorry I forgot her name in the Cast above, Infact her role was so short I keep forgetting she was in the movie.)
I would certainly recommend this sweet and humorous Bollywood movie made in Hollywood style.
