HILARIOUS!!!. Review on Dostana

I have a huge grin on my face as I am writing this review. After a long long time a movie has entertained me so much.

Its the story of two guys Sam and Kunal (Abhishek and John) who are looking for a rented accommodation. The one they like is out of their bounds as the landlady (Sushmita Mukherjee) wants to hire it out only to girls since her niece Neha (Priyanka) lives alone in that house. In order to get that accommodation Sam and Kunal decide to pretend to be gay. They move into the apartment with Neha and the three become inseparable friends. Slowly both Sam and Kunal fall in love with Neha. But they are not able to tell her as they know that she will throw them out if she finds out the truth. Things are going along nicely when Bobby Deol joins as Neha’s boss and she is attracted to him….I don’t want to give away the rest of the story.

For the first time in Hindi cinema a whole movie has been based around the ‘gay’ angle. And for once it has not been treated in a crass way. This movie is a sex comedy which does not make you squirm in your seat. The scenes are genuinely funny and you don’t have to force yourself to laugh. The first half of the movie is hilarious (if a bit too long) and by the interval I had a stomach ache from laughing. In the second half the movie loses pace now and then but the overall experience is quite good.

The main reason this movie works is the great chemistry between Abhishek and John. It takes guts for two macho guys to do a role like this. Even a slight discomfort in the body language of the two guys could have ruined the whole impact. But both of them take to their roles like a fish to water. John shows off his great body (a bit too much in my opinion) and acts very naturally. But it is Abhishek who steals your heart with his goofy antics. I had given up on him after Groana…err..Drona but he complete redeems himself with Dostana.

Priyanka looks mindblowing and complements Abhishek and John very well. Inspite of wearing some really itsy-bitsy outfits in the movie, she carries herself with class and panache. Bobby Deol is good in his limited role. Boman Irani and Kiron Kher are excellent.

First time director Tarun Mansukhani has done a brilliant job. With a subject like this it is quite easy to go overboard and make a David Dhawan type of vulgar comedy. But Mansukhani stops just short of going overboard. The gay-love scenes are funny but not cheap. Another great point is the genuine and hilarious dialogues - they take the scenes to another level. Specially note the scene where Kiran Kher ‘accepts’ John as the love of her son’s life. Or when Abhishek cooks up a story of how John and he fell in love. The brilliant direction, wonderful performances and great dialogues combine to produce pure dynamite!

The music is good and the choreography better. Special mention for the choreography of the desi girl song. Priyanka sizzles and Abhishek-John make you forget that they are non-dancers. The cinematography is good. Editing could have been better.

Do I recommend this movie? YES! But not to all. Those who are against the gay/lesbian thing may not find it funny. Also it’s a movie you can enjoy with your friends or partner. DO NOT go for this one with your kids or parents. But do go and enjoy 2.5 hours of pure fun!